Convention center turnback proposal amended, advanced

A bill intended to aid the development of a proposed Lincoln convention center advanced to the final round of debate Feb. 7 after lawmakers amended it to ensure transparency in the process.

LB116, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Beau Ballard, would update the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act, which turns back a portion of state sales tax revenue collected by convention centers, associated hotels and nearby retailers to political subdivisions to help finance the facilities.

Among other changes, the bill would clarify that the area used to determine associated hotels and nearby retailers would be within the territorial boundaries of the political subdivision that applies for assistance.

On select file, Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln introduced an amendment, adopted 37-0, to strike a requirement in LB116 that state assistance be used only to pay or repay amounts borrowed to finance a project and reinstate stricken language requiring that assistance be used only “for public purposes.”

Current law allows the board that approves applications for assistance to accept additional evidence after an application’s public hearing. LB116 would require the board to provide any additional evidence contemporaneously to the applicant.

Conrad introduced a further amendment, adopted 36-0, to strike that provision, saying any additional evidence should be subject to a subsequent public hearing.

“As we’re working to advance this important project, it’s critical that we ensure transparency at each stage and community engagement and public participation,” she said.

After adopting Conrad’s amendments, senators voted 32-1 to advance LB116 to final reading.