Housing agency bed bug requirements amended, advanced

A proposal requiring the Omaha Housing Authority to address bed bug infestations advanced to the final round of debate April 9 after lawmakers amended it to include a reporting requirement.

LB287, introduced by the Urban Affairs Committee, would require a housing agency in a metropolitan class city to inspect a dwelling unit within 10 days of receiving a bed bug complaint and, if an infestation is found, obtain and provide remedial services from a pest control professional within 21 days. Omaha is the state’s only metropolitan class city.

Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney, the committee’s chairperson, introduced an amendment on select file that he said would clarify the bed bug complaint process. It also would require a housing agency in a metropolitan class city to submit a report to the city and the Urban Affairs Committee every six months.

The report would include information on pest control management activities, the number of eviction filings and the number and nature of complaints or grievances filed during the period covered by the report, in addition to current vacancy rates and relevant updates from the agency’s board meetings.

As amended on general file, LB287 would authorize a metropolitan class city to regulate any housing authority in the city by ordinance. Among other regulations, a city could provide for code enforcement, pest control and regular inspections as well as set penalties for code violations and require monthly updates to the city council.

McKinney offered a second amendment, adopted 33-0, which he said is a compromise with the city of Omaha. Under the amendment, the city instead could require a housing authority to comply with any city rental inspection and registration ordinance, code enforcement and inspection of residential rental properties.

After adoption of the amendments, senators advanced LB287 to final reading by voice vote.