Urban Affairs omnibus measure expanded, approved

Lawmakers passed a package of bills related to urban affairs April 10 after amending it April 7 to include a measure intended to help Nebraska cities attract workers from other states.

LB1114, introduced by the Urban Affairs Committee, revises eligibility provisions that allow for the expedited review of community redevelopment plans under Nebraska’s Community Development Law.

As amended, the measure includes provisions of several other bills considered by the committee this session, including LB981.

Also introduced by the committee, the measure requires a housing agency in a metropolitan class city to submit reports that include details on pest control management activities, as well as evictions and complaints filed during the reporting period, among other information.

Omaha is the state’s only metropolitan class city.

During select file debate April 7, Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney, committee chairperson, introduced an amendment that he said includes changes to the measure requested by the city of Omaha and the Omaha Housing Authority.

Under the amendment, a housing agency is required to submit the report to the committee annually rather than every six months.

In addition to that requirement, the provisions of LB981 allow a metropolitan class city to regulate any housing agency.

McKinney’s amendment modified those provisions, allowing city regulations to provide for code enforcement, complaint-based inspections and monthly updates to the city council that include information about pest control issues and any mitigation efforts completed by the housing agency.

LB1114 includes amended provisions of LB915, sponsored by Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, which update the Municipal Inland Port Authority Act. They increase the number of inland port districts that may be designated from five to eight and revise eligibility requirements for counties.

McKinney’s amendment also would have authorized inland port authorities to designate a portion of any bond issuance as community revenue bonds.

Lincoln Sen. Carolyn Bosn opposed the amendment, saying the bonding proposal had not had a public hearing.

McKinney later offered an amendment, adopted 44-0, to strike the provision from the amendment.

After voting 25-1 to adopt a technical amendment offered by Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse, senators voted 38-0 to adopt McKinney’s underlying amendment.

LB1114 also includes provisions of LB850, introduced by Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh.

They allow metropolitan and primary class cities to use an economic development program for the purpose of building or rehabilitating affordable housing, workforce housing or housing for persons of low or moderate income under the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act.

Previously, only first and second class cities and villages were allowed to create a program for those purposes. Lincoln is Nebraska’s only primary class city.

The provisions of LB976, sponsored by Sen. Bob Andersen of Omaha, update requirements for sanitary and improvement district elections.

The provisions of LB1129, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover, allow a city to use tax-increment financing to develop underdeveloped parcels that have been within its extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction for more than 25 years.

The amended provisions of LB1130, sponsored by Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, create the Community Improvement District Act. The measure allows property owners to propose the formation of a community improvement district within a city or village for the construction, maintenance and repair of public infrastructure.

Lincoln Sen. Beau Ballard offered a select file amendment to include a modified version of his LB1152, which creates the New Taxpayer Recruitment Grant Act.

It authorizes the state Department of Economic Development to award grants to cities, Indian tribes and certain nonprofit organizations to be used for taxpayer recruitment programs that incentivize households to relocate to Nebraska from outside the state.

Ballard said the measure is intended to help cities fill job vacancies and stimulate state economic growth.

The department is required to disburse 50% of a grant when it is awarded and the rest when the applicant successfully meets half of its program plan’s stated goal.

Applicants are required to demonstrate their ability to contribute at least 20% of a program’s cost. No applicant may receive more than $250,000 in grants in a fiscal year.

To qualify for taxpayer recruitment program incentives, a household must demonstrate an annual income of at least $55,000 and meet certain other requirements.

The department will disburse grants from a new cash fund consisting of money transferred by the Legislature, as well as federal, public and private funding sources. The measure appropriates no state funding to the new program.

After adopting Ballard’s amendment on a vote of 44-0, senators advanced LB1114 to final reading by voice vote.

The bill passed April 10 on a vote of 48-1 and takes effect immediately.