Session Review: Urban Affairs
Economic development, building codes, population thresholds and tax increment financing were among the urban issues taken up by senators this session.
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Legislature adjourns mid-biennium
The first session of the 105th Legislature adjourned sine die May 23, the 86th day of the scheduled 90-day session.
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Farmer returns to Lincoln for lawmaking
For a farm kid from Albion, even the promise of a lucrative law career could not deter Sen. Tom Briese from a life working the land.
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Special committee approved to oversee Corrections
The Legislature will establish another committee to oversee the state Department of Correctional Services under a resolution adopted by the Legislature May 18.
Read moreState boards and commissions modified, eliminated
Various state-established boards and commissions are modified or eliminated by a bill passed May 18.
Read moreOmnibus retirement bill approved
A bill that makes numerous changes to the state’s retirement systems received final approval May 18.
Read moreDevelopmental disability changes approved
Several changes related to services for individuals with developmental disabilities were approved under a bill passed May 18.
Read moreCity bankruptcy tied to pension funding level
Cities with pension plans not funded to a certain level may not file for bankruptcy under a bill passed by the Legislature May 18.
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Line-item budget vetoes sustained
Lawmakers declined to override any of the governor’s line-item vetoes of the state budget package May 17.
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Tax incentive for workforce housing construction stalls
A bill that would allow certain cities to use tax increment financing (TIF) to support the construction of workforce housing stalled after a failed cloture motion May 16.
Read moreEducation omnibus bill approved
An education omnibus bill that restricts a levy limit exemption for teachers’ voluntary termination agreements received final approval from the Legislature May 16.
Read moreMedicaid reimbursement from hidden assets approved
Before lawmakers passed LB72 in 2015, the state could recover only assets from a probate estate to settle a Medicaid debt. That bill adopted the federal definition of an estate to include additional assets in an attempt to combat the hiding of assets.
Read moreJudicial salary increase approved
Judges will receive a pay raise under a bill passed by the Legislature May 16.
Read moreAdditional juvenile court judge approved
A bill increasing the number of juvenile court judges in Omaha was passed by the Legislature May 16.
Read moreStronger human trafficking penalties adopted
Lawmakers passed a bill May 16 that addresses the rise in human trafficking in the state.
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