Bill establishes entrepreneurship task force

Lawmakers gave final approval April 8 to a bill that establishes a task force designed to bring high-wage employment to Nebraska.

LB1109, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad, establishes the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Task Force. Comprised of six legislators appointed by the Executive Board, the task force will commission a nonprofit organization to provide research, analysis and recommendations for the development of a statewide strategic plan to encourage entrepreneurship in Nebraska.

The study will be funded by a $48,000 appropriation made available through unexpended monies reverted to the general fund from the Microenterprise Development Cash Fund.

The statewide strategic plan will include an inventory of existing state and locally sponsored programs and resources targeted at small business, microenterprise and entrepreneurship endeavors in the state. The task force will be required to present the plan to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2010.

LB1109 passed on a 43-0 vote.