Legislative Testimony on LB12, Military Real Estate License Fee Waiver

Good afternoon, members of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee.   My name is Nicole Fox, and I am the Director of Government Relations for the Platte Institute.  Thank you for the opportunity to discuss occupational licensing in our state.
 

Through our research we have found that occupational licensing greatly impacts military families.  According to the Obama administration’s 2015 occupational licensing report, 35 percent of military spouses in the labor force work in professions that are regulated, and they are ten times more likely to have moved across state lines in the last year than their civilian counterparts. These military spouses may have difficulty acquiring a new license each time they move.  Given the fact that Nebraska is home to Offutt Air Force Base, we need to assure our occupational licensing requirements allow military spouses and veterans to readily enter our state’s workforce. 
 

The reciprocity component that allows active duty military and their spouses to continue working if they were previously licensed in another state as well as the fee waiver is good policy.  Hopefully with policies like this it will help make Nebraska a more friendly place for military families and help keep them here after they return to civilian life, ultimately growing the state.
 

The Platte Institute strongly supports occupational licensing reform as a means of lessening burdens to those trying to enter the state’s workforce.  I ask that you advance LB 12 out of committee.
 

For additional Information:

 https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/licensing_report_final_nonembargo.pdf