Government Affairs

State Issues

The Legislature wrapped up the session on June 1, 2023.

The over-ride Governor's vetoes of interest were unsuccessful, however AIA NE was part of a coalition in support of

the below.

• Reduction of $10 million cash fund appropriation in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 for Rural Workforce

Housing and $10 million cash fund for appropriations in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 for Middle Income

Housing.

• Reduction of Shovel Ready Capitol Recovery and Investment Act Funds from $90 to $70 million FY 2023-

2024.

Economic Recovery Act Adopted

The Legislature last year set aside about $335 million largely to spur transformational change in North and South

Omaha. Some of that has already been allocated.

Newer funding requests include:

Malcolm X museum, health clinics, the Standing Bear museum and rail spurs in western Nebraska — have pushed

up the total package beyond $400 million,

Folded into the package were several bills, including a few that update provisions of the state’s Community

Development Law, which governs the economic tool called tax-increment financing.

The DED is to review the original 367 applications from community entities that sought a chunk of the North and

South Omaha funding.

Previously, the Olsson consulting firm was awarded $1.7 million to review and narrow down the applications. Though

Olsson completed that task, a special legislative committee shifted to the DED review.

Among other measures included in the package:

• A call for the Game and Parks Commission to buy or receive by donation the Mayhew Cabin historical site in

Nebraska City. The state would rehab and manage the property. Funding is to be determined in the future,

though the state would rehab and manage the property.

• A provision (originally called for in LB 33) that allows the mayor of a first- or second-class city to vote on any

matter that requires a majority vote of the City Council. That vote may occur if the mayor’s vote is required

due to the council being divided or an absence.

• A provision (originally in LB 170) that matches the definition of “blighted area” under the Nebraska

Investment Finance Authority Act with the definition under the Community Development Law.

• A mandate (originally in LB 223) requiring Nebraska cities that adopt an affordable housing action plan to

submit their plan electronically to the Urban Affairs Committee.

• A requirement (originally in LB 34) to remove the requirement that home inspectors register with the

Secretary of State every even-numbered year. Home inspectors would be allowed to renew their registration

within 45 days of expiration, and the registration would be valid for two years.

• A call to change the Community Development Law (originally in LB 532) regarding how long (no less than 25

years) an area may be designated as “extremely blighted.” It would place new restrictions on the creation of

new redevelopment plans in areas designated as blighted for more than 30 years.

No action on the below issues:

Interior Design Legislation

Remains in Committee with no action this year, however an interim study has been introduced - LR 221. The purpose

of this study is to review the credentialing requirements for interior designers in furtherance of the purposes of the

Occupational Board Reform Act.

Taxation of Services

No advancement of legislation that would create an occupational tax or taxation on services.