Property appraiser changes approved

Lawmakers gave final approval April 3 to a bill that updates the Nebraska Real Property Appraiser Act.

LB717, introduced by Grand Island Sen. Mike Gloor at the request of the Real Property Appraiser Board, brings Nebraska law into compliance with new federal real property appraiser qualification criteria that will become effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Updates in the bill primarily affect qualifications for each level of appraiser credential under the Appraiser Qualifications Board. The provisions also affect reciprocal credentialing and continuing education.

In addition, the bill:
• establishes a fee of no more than $100 for a criminal history record check;
• establishes a random fingerprint-based national criminal history record check audit program; and
• specifies additional acts and omissions that are considered grounds for disciplinary action or denial of an application by the Real Property Appraiser Board.

LB717 passed 47-0.