Senators advance state-claims bill including trooper line-of-duty payment and worker-compensation settlements

Lawmakers advanced LB1133, a state claims bill that would appropriate funds to resolve a slate of settled claims and allow certain agency write-offs, after the Business and Labor Committee’s amendment and a subsequent floor amendment were adopted.

Senator Kaut, who opened the floor debate, said the attorney general and the State Claims Board had presented settlements including a $354,456.23 indemnification claim and multiple workers’ compensation agreements. AM2008 added three workers’ compensation payouts — $110,000 to Anthony O. Dix Jr., $125,000 to Tina Vaughn and $50,000 to Tiffany Colvin Mills — and AM2413 added a $289,360.48 general-fund payment to cover a line-of-duty claim for Trooper Kyle McCasey, who died after being struck by a snowplow while assisting motorists.

Senator Conrad urged colleagues to focus on the broader context of the claims package, drawing attention to a settlement involving former State Patrol Captain Kurt Von Minden. Conrad said Von Minden, a decorated supervisor, had filed internal complaints alleging harassment and unprofessional conduct, including anti-LGBTQ slurs and discriminatory remarks toward Hispanic officers, and that he believed he faced retaliation for reporting those concerns. Conrad described the matter as ‘‘a whistleblower-type’’ situation that resulted in settlement and reinstatement to rank prior to retirement, which in turn affected retirement benefits paid by the state.

Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh echoed support for whistleblower protections and praised the committee’s handling of the claims bill. After floor amendments were adopted by recorded voice (AM2413 adopted on the floor), the body voted to advance LB1133 to E & R initial. The committee amendment AM2008 was earlier adopted on the floor as well.

The bill’s add-ons and settlements recorded on the floor reflect both indemnification payments and workers’ compensation claims to be paid from the general fund and the workers’ compensation revolving fund. The transcript recorded the amendment adoptions and the subsequent advancement vote.