Economic development measures approved

Senators passed a bill April 1 that changes several economic development provisions.

LB1093, introduced by Omaha Sen. Heath Mello, initially dealt with cash funds for tobacco prevention and stem cell research. Those provisions were replaced by amendments to include provisions of the following bills.

LB1028, introduced by Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln, requires the state Department of Economic Development to contract with a statewide microenterprise development assistance organization and a statewide venture development organization.

LB1017, introduced by Omaha Sen. Brett Lindstrom, eliminates a residency requirement for student interns under a grant program.

LB987, also introduced by Morfeld, creates a bioscience steering committee made up of five senators. The committee will study bioscience’s impact on the state’s economy, identify ways to stimulate job growth in science, technology and engineering and encourage biotechnology companies to locate in Nebraska.

LB560, introduced by Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg, requires the University of Nebraska’s Board of Regents to report annually to the Legislature with benchmarks that lawmakers can use to evaluate the performance of the Nebraska Innovation Campus.

The bill passed on a vote of 44-0.