Tax exemptions approved for treatment centers, others

Lawmakers passed a bill April 12 that provides a tax exemption for certain treatment centers.

LB774, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Jim Scheer, provides a sales and use tax exemption for purchases made by nonprofit substance abuse treatment centers.

It also incorporates provisions of LB510 as originally introduced by Omaha Sen. Tanya Cook. These provisions allow an employer a nonrefundable tax credit equal to 20 percent of its expenses used for an employee’s postsecondary tuition or costs associated with a high school equivalency program. The tax credit is valid for no more than two years of an eligible employee’s expenses.

Provisions of six additional bills were added to LB774, including:
• LB542, originally introduced by Omaha Sen. Burke Harr, which creates a sales tax exemption for county agricultural societies;
• LB888, originally introduced by Omaha Sen. Heath Mello, which clarifies that insurance companies are eligible for tax credits under the Nebraska Job Creation and Mainstreet Revitalization Act and reserves the first $4 million for applications seeking credits less than $150,000;
• LB1014, introduced by Gering Sen. John Stinner, which exempts from levy limits any property taxes levied for bonds issued by a county airport authority;
• LB1015, introduced by Harr, which creates a sales tax exemption for museums that rent or lease items of historical or cultural significance;
• LB1047, introduced by Harr, which adds as a qualified activity the drying and aerating of grain in commercial facilities under the sales tax exemption for energy used in manufacturing and processing; and
• LB1088, originally introduced by Hyannis Sen. Al Davis, which creates a sales tax exemption for centers that support independent living.

The bill passed on a 37-10 vote.