Bill Update
This week I would like to go over portions of LB1317, one of the two Revenue Committee priority bills. LB1317, introduced by Senator Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, was a placeholder bill. As amended it contains the provision of several other bills heard by the committee this session. This bill contains portions of 12 other bills heard in committee. I will cover six bills this week and finish the rest next week.

• LB863, introduced by Senator Linehan, eliminates an income tax deduction for amounts received as annuities under the Federal Employees Retirement System.
• LB893, introduced by Senator Teresa Ibach of Sumner, business equipment involved in the manufacturing or processing of liquid fertilizer or any other chemical applied to crops–or the manufacturing of any liquid additive for a farm vehicle fuel–qualifies for a property tax exemption under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act.
• LB1043, introduced by Senator Terrell McKinney of Omaha, requires certain nonprofit organizations that own or acquire underutilized tax-exempt property in a high-poverty area to develop the property within three years.
• LB1093, introduced by Senator Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, updates the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act which provides tuition assistance to qualifying first responders. The provisions expand and clarify the definition of first responder to include any law enforcement officer and professional firefighter. They also, with exceptions, prohibit an employer from canceling a first responder’s individual or family health insurance policy if the first responder suffers serious bodily injury from an event that occurs while the first responder is acting in the line of duty.
• LB1134, introduced by Senator R. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, interest on refunds and additional taxes due as a result of a decision on a property’s valuation by the Tax Equalization and Review Commission will begin to accrue 30 days after the decision. The provisions also allow two commissioners to constitute a quorum to hear and determine appeals or petitions.
• LB1217, introduced by Senator Bostar, updates requirements for owners of rent-restricted housing projects and changes how county assessors calculate valuation for those projects. They also allow the owner of a sales-restricted house to apply to the county assessor for a special valuation. Under the provisions, certain nursing and assisted living facilities will receive a property tax exemption based on the percentage of occupied beds provided to Medicaid beneficiaries. LB1217 also applies a property tax exemption to the commons area of a building that is owned by a charitable organization and used for student housing. (“Session Review: Revenue”. Unicameral Update. 13 May, 2024. https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=36628)

News from the Governor’s Office
Two executive orders (EO)were issued on July 1, 2024 from the office of Governor Jim Pillen to assist in the transportation of agricultural products and aggregates in the aftermath of storm damage and flooding that happened primarily along the MIssouri River. Governor Pillen declared a state of emergency starting June 22nd.

Executive Order 24-06 waives trucking requirements for the overweight transport of goods for 60 days on all interstates and highways. Companion EO 24-07 allows commercial motor vehicle operators to exceed drive times to complete the delivery of much needed commodities and assist in the speedy repair of key infrastructure, including railroads. It is in effect for 14 days. It is noted the EOs do not trigger the dynamic pricing prohibition for transportation network companies. (Strimple, Laura and Urlis, Allan. Press Release. “Executive Order Issued to Assist in Transportation of Ag Products & Aggregates”. 1 July, 2024. https://shorturl.at/vLSiL)

As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by calling my office at (402) 471-2716 or emailing me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.