Full Day Floor Debate Begins in the Legislature
The Legislature has designated its priority bills for the 2010 session and is proceeding with debate on a number of these proposals.
Here are some of the priority bills we are watching:
LB 918, introduced and prioritized by Senator Hadley, would update the Nebraska Advantage Act to recognize business models that are increasingly web-based, including those that utilize cloud computing and data centers.
LB 381, introduced by Senator Rogert and prioritized by the Urban Affairs Committee, would allow the establishment of local community improvement districts and transportation development districts. This was taken off of General File and referred to the Revenue Committee for an additional hearing.
LB 563, introduced by Senator Lathrop and prioritized by the Business and Labor Committee, would adopt the Contractor Employee Classification Act.
LB 709, introduced by Senator White and prioritized by Senator Giese, would establish the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act. It would require departments to review the economic impact of regulations on small businesses and consider alternatives. It would create of a new regulatory review board, which would include five owners of small businesses. A small business is defined as one that is independently owned and operated and has fewer than 500 employees or gross annual sales less than $6 million.
LB 763, introduced by Senator Mello and prioritized by Senator Cornett, would provide for adoption of the Successor Asbestos-Related Liability Act. This would limit liability of employers who did not manufacture or sell products containing asbestos but did acquire other businesses prior to 1972 that were involved in production of such.
LB 779, introduced and prioritized by Senator Lathrop would amend the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act and the Local Civic, Cultural, and Convention Center Financing Act.
LB 780, introduced by Senator Lathrop and prioritized by Senator Wallman, would expand workers compensation coverage for first responders to mental injuries. Currently, coverage is limited to cases that involve physical injuries.
LB 799, introduced by Senator Krist and prioritized by Speaker Flood, would replace the Uniform Code for Building Conservation with the International Existing Building Code.
LB 821, introduced by Senator Fischer and prioritized by the Transportation and Telecommunications committee, would statutorily deem preservation of the existing highway system the first priority of the Department of Roads.
LB 879, introduced by Senator Cornett and prioritized by the Revenue Committee is at the request of the Department of Revenue. It is intended to increase enforcement of tax collections, including expansion of the number of taxpayers who would be required to file electronically, and the posting of taxing delinquencies on a web site.
LB 888, introduced by Senator Conrad and prioritized by the Banking and Insurance Committee, would adopt the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act.
LB 925, introduced by Senator Conrad and prioritized by Senator McGill, would require employment of Nebraska laborers for public works projects during excessive unemployment.
LB 949, introduced and prioritized by Senator Gloor, would update state and local building codes.
LB 952, introduced and prioritized by Senator White, would exempt from state and local sales taxes charges to businesses and individuals related to major utility infrastructure replacements, including those required by federal law.
LB 961, introduced by Senator Council and prioritized by the Business and Labor Committee, would provide for a more flexible job training program for workers in rural and high-poverty areas.
LB 1018, introduced by Senator Cornett and prioritized by Senator Coash, would enact the Nebraska Advantage Transformational Tourism and Redevelopment Act. This would provide for the use of local sales tax revenues to assist cultural, recreational, and retail developments.
LB 1048, introduced and prioritized by the Natural Resources Committee, is a comprehensive approach to develop wind energy in Nebraska, including that intended for export to other states.
LB 1072, introduced and prioritized by Senator Adams, concerns the funding formulas for community colleges. There are a number of bills that have been introduced that take varying approaches to this issue; however this is the vehicle for any changes that will be made this year.
LB 1079, introduced by Senator Cornett and prioritized by the Revenue Committee, would make changes to filing dates for appeals to the Tax Equalization and Review Commission.
LB 1081, introduced by Senator Mello and prioritized by Senator Cornett, would provide a tax credit for hiring teleworkers. It would also provide for training grants for such teleworkers.
LR 295CA, introduced by Senator McGill and prioritized by the Urban Affairs Committee, would provide for a public vote to amend the constitutional amendment that authorize use of revenue bonds to develop property for use by nonprofit enterprises.
LR 297CA, would provide for a public vote to amend the constitution to expand allowable funding sources for municipal economic development efforts.
For more information about public policy issues issues, contact Dacia Kruse, director of public policy and state issues, (402) 978-7938, or Tim Stuart, manager of transportation development and policy research, (402) 474-4960.