Convention center turnback changes approved

A bill intended to aid the development of a proposed convention center in Lincoln received final approval from lawmakers March 20.

LB116, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Beau Ballard, updates 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 clarifies that the area used to determine associated hotels and nearby retailers is one or more contiguous or noncontiguous areas within the territorial boundaries of the political subdivision that applies for assistance.

The measure also expands authorized uses of a fund that counties use to make grants to expand and improve facilities at existing visitor attractions, build new visitor attractions and carry out certain other projects. Under LB116, counties also must use the fund to maintain visitor attractions and facilities.

The bill passed on a vote of 43-2.