Access to tax incentive data granted

Lawmakers passed a bill April 12 that ensures the Legislative Audit Office’s access to data necessary for conducting performance audits of tax incentive programs.

LB1022, introduced by the Legislative Performance Audit Committee, gives the office direct access to all agency databases containing relevant program information. The bill allows the office to request confidential state Department of Revenue data and removes current provisions giving the speaker of the Legislature and the chairperson of the committee access to confidential data in certain circumstances.

The bill also extends the incentive programs’ expiration by three years.

The bill passed 44-4.