AIA Nebraska: Government Affairs: State Issues

AIA Nebraska: A Society of the American Institute of Architects

2016 – Year End

Photo courtesy: Nebraska Unicameral Information Office

If you know of any good candidates running for the Legislature please let us know so we can support through our Political Action Committee. Make a difference and consider making a donation to the AIA NE PAC.

Legislative of interest advanced from 2015:
LB 28 w/amendments – On General File. Provides intent language for introduction of radon standards developed by the task force in the 2016 legislative session. An architect is included on the task force.

Status of bills introduced this session AIA NE followed:
LB704 - Signed by the Governor. Change building code provisions applicable to political subdivisions. Introduced by Urban Affairs Committee. Approved by Governor. LB 704 would make a series of technical changes to the building code statutes by doing the following: 1. Clarifying that local building or construction codes must be adopted and enforced as provided under the Building Construction Act; 2. Clarifying that counties and municipalities must keep a copy of their local building code available for use and examination by the public as long as the code is in effect; 3. Clarifying that only counties and municipalities may adopt a local building code; 4. Defining "component" for purposes of the Building Construction Act; 5. Streamlining the process for local building code adoption, allowing counties and municipalities to either adopt the state building code or a code that conforms generally with the state building code; 6. Clarifying that a prior edition of a component of the state building code does not conform generally with the state building code; 7. Striking language that provides for unconstitutional delegation of legislative authority by municipalities; and 8. Repealing duplicate language.

Amended into LB957 - Signed by the Governor - LB715 - Provide for transfers $500,000 from the General Fund to the Nebraska Cultural Preservation Endowment Fund. Senator Stinner

LB719 - Change provisions relating to undeveloped vacant land under the Community Development Law. By amending 18-2123 clarifies that the language of the Constitution Article VIII Section 12 never intended for TIF to be used for development of undeveloped land, recently annexed or that lies outside city limits. This will redirect municipalities to use TIF for its intended purpose “substandard AND blighted property in a redevelopment project. ” LB719 will cause cities and villages to follow the legislative intent to limit TIF to the definition of “blighted” in Neb Rev Stat 18-2103(11) including “unimproved land” in Neb Rev Stat 18-2103(11)(iii) which states “more than half of the plotted and subdivided property in an area is unimproved land that has been within the city for forty years and has remained unimproved during that time.” Remains in Urban Affairs Committee. Senator Groene

Amended into LB957 – Signed by the Governor - LB755 - Appropriate funds to the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges LB 755 would appropriate $16.8 million in fiscal year 2016/17 from the General Fund for capital construction projects at the three state colleges. The bill contains intent language for the appropriation of an additional $33.6 million $28 million during the following biennium. The capital construction projects include an addition and renovation of the Math Science building at Chadron State College, an addition and renovation of the Theater/Event Center at Peru State College, and the renovation of Benthack Hall and construction of the Applied Technology Center at Wayne State College. Senator Watermeier

LB788 - Change and eliminate provisions relating to the Professional Landscape Architects Act. Senator Cook

LB806 Adopt the Riverfront Development District Act, Senator Mello

LB884 - Passed in the Legislature awaiting Governor's signature. Change the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act and the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act. Remains on Select File. Senator Smith Priority Bill. LB 884 would amend the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act in Chapter 13, Article 26 and the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act in Chapter 13, Article 31 to provide more uniformity and flexibility regarding “state throwback sales tax” for our municipally owned convention centers and arenas. Senator Scheer

Amended into LB957 – Signed by the Governor - LB858 - Create the University of Nebraska Facilities Program of 2016. LB 858 creates the University of Nebraska Facilities Program of 2016. A 12-year 14 year ($250 million) capital proposal would facilitate debt financing for 17 projects, identified in the bill. Allow the Board of Regents to enter into construction and long-term finance contracts for deferred maintenance, repair, renovation, facility addition and facility replacement projects on four campuses. Directs the Legislature to appropriate $11 million each year for FY2016-17 and FY2017-18 and $22 million each year thereafter through FY2028 FY2030 from the General Fund to the University of Nebraska Facilities Program of 2016. Senator Hadley.

Amended into LB 774 Passed by Legislature awaiting Governor’s Signature. – Formally LB888 - Changes provisions relating to tax credits under the Nebraska Job Creation and Mainstreet Revitalization Act. LB 888 amends the Nebraska Job Creation and Mainstreet Revitalization Act to clarify that the use of historic tax credits against the premium tax is treated as a payment of tax for purposes of Section 77-2734.03(1) and that use of historic tax credits do not result. LB 1022 - Extends the sunset of the Act from 2019, to 2022, and allows the use of historic tax credits on any tax return filed before December 31, 2027, instead of December 31, 2024.

LB913 - Signed by the Governor. Adopt the Facilitating Business Rapid Response to State Declared Disasters Act. Placed on Final Reading. Senator Smith

LB947 Passed in the Legislature and awaiting Governor's signature or veto. Would authorize the granting of professional (ARCHITECTURE) or commercial licenses to immigrants who are in the state legally and have unexpired employment authorization and documentation from a federal agency. Moved to Select File.

LB957 (Budget Adjustment) Signed by Governor.

Appropriates $16.8 million in fiscal year 2016/17 to the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges for capital construction projects at the three state colleges. The bill contains intent language for the appropriation of an additional $28 million during the following biennium. The capital construction projects include an addition and renovation of the Math Science building at Chadron State College, an addition and renovation of the Theater/Event Center at Peru State College, and the renovation of Benthack Hall and construction of the Applied Technology Center at Wayne State College.
Create the University of Nebraska Facilities Program of 2016. LB 858 creates the University of Nebraska Facilities Program of 2016. A 14 year ($250 million) capital proposal would facilitate debt financing for 17 projects, identified in the bill. Allow the Board of Regents to enter into construction and long-term finance contracts for deferred maintenance, repair, renovation, facility addition and facility replacement projects on four campuses. Directs the Legislature to appropriate $11 million each year for FY2016-17 and FY2017-18 and $22 million each year thereafter through FY2030 from the General Fund to the University of Nebraska Facilities Program of 2016.
Transfers $4 million to the Site and Building Development Fund. Established in 2011, the fund aims to help communities across Nebraska establish industry-ready sites. Nearly 20 communities have used this program, and this year’s funding of $2.5 million has already been committed with several additional communities requesting assistance to complete pending projects.
Directs the State Treasurer to transfer $26,275,558 from the Cash Reserve Fund to the Nebraska Capital Construction Fund on or before June 30, 2016, on such date as directed by the budget administrator of the budget division of the Department of Administrative Services. Includes adding capacity to the Lincoln Community Corrections Center.
$500,000: Cultural Preservation Endowment Funding for 10 years.

LB960 - Passed in Legislature awaiting Governor’s Signature. Adopt the Transportation Innovation Act and provide transfers from the Cash Reserve Fund. Placed on Final Reading. Senator Smith

LB978 - Signed by the Governor. Change provisions relating to the state purchasing card program and facilities construction and administration and eliminate obsolete provisions. Placed on Final Reading. Senator Craighead

LB997 - Change provisions regarding the Nebraska Capitol Commission and office space within the State Capitol. Hearing 1.27.16, Gvt. Affairs. Senator Kris

LB1028 - Change provisions relating to funding under the Business Innovation Act and require the Department of Economic Development to contract with certain entities. LB 1028 would amend the Business Innovation Act to increase the funding from the current $7 million to $8 million in fiscal year 2016-2017 and to $9 million in fiscal year 2017-2018. Hearing 2.5.16, Appropriations. Senator Morfeld

LB1059 - Signed by the Governor. Require certain disclosures under the Community Development Law and the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act. Urban Affairs Committee Priority. Approved by Governor. Senator Crawford

Amended into LB957 – Signed by Governor - LB1091 - State intent relating to appropriations for purposes of the Site and Building Development Fund. LB 1091 would add a one year $25 million $4 million appropriation to the Site and Development Fund, passed in 2011 as part of LB 388. The Fund was created to assist in industry ready sites across the state as part of economic development. Senator Hilkemann

LR414 - Prohibit meals or beverages from being provided to legislators by lobbyists in the Capitol while the Legislature is in session. Senator Chambers.

AIA Nebraska Government Affairs Committee

AIA Directory of Public Policy Statements

Click here for the AIA Directory of Public Policy Statements

2015 State Issues

In case of inclement weather, AIA Nebraska will follow suit with Lincoln Public Schools. Click here for school closings.
AIA Nebraska 335 North 8th Street \| Suite A Lincoln, NE 68508	Office Hours 9:00a.m-5:00p.m. M-Th 9:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. F	P 402/858-1929	Contact AIA Nebraska