Municipal development package approved

An Urban Affairs Committee package that allows Nebraska cities and villages of all sizes to create stand-alone land banks cleared the final round of debate April 10.

LB1135, introduced by the committee, modifies land bank membership and reporting requirements under the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act.

The bill also prohibits a land bank from temporarily holding real property on behalf of a private entity for more than one year, unless the entity has entered into a community benefits agreement with the land bank and local community groups.

LB1135 includes provisions of six other bills considered by the committee this session, including LB799. Introduced by the committee, the measure creates the Service Contract Reporting Act.

Beginning in 2028, the proposal requires a metropolitan class city, counties with a population of more than 500,000 and state agencies to submit an annual report to the materiel division of the state Department of Administrative Services that contains information on service contracts above a certain amount that were awarded during the prior year.

The division will compile the information and submit it in an annual report to the governor, the clerk of the Legislature and the Urban Affairs Committee.

The amended provisions of LB811, sponsored by Sen. Robert Dover of Norfolk, authorize all Nebraska municipalities to establish stand-alone land banks, something only primary and metropolitan class cities previously were allowed to do.

The provisions of LB842, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Victor Rountree, allow first and second class cities and villages to enter into contracts with private entities for the operation, maintenance, management or enforcement of municipal parking facilities.

The provisions of LB1163, sponsored by Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, update how liens against delinquent assessments are recorded under the Nebraska Property Assessed Clean Energy Act.

The provisions of LB1168, introduced by Fremont Sen. Dave Wordekemper, allow a city’s redevelopment authority to enter into a contract under which it issues conduit revenue bonds.

Finally, the provisions of LB1250, sponsored by Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha, allow primary, first and second class cities and villages to sell or transfer any waterworks, sewer system or water system to an Indian tribe under certain conditions.

Senators voted 48-1 to pass LB1135. The bill takes effect immediately.