This bill appropriates $2.3 million from the General Fund to the Nebraska Department of Revenue for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 fiscal years. The funds are designated to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 9, which was passed during a special session earlier in 2024. A portion of the money, up to $679,100 per year, is specifically restricted for salaries and per diems. The legislation includes an emergency clause to ensure the funding takes effect immediately upon approval.
This bill would require Nebraska school districts to pay for the costs of students who leave their district because they were discriminated against. It defines discrimination to include excessive disciplinary actions or the denial of special education services. If a student transfers due to such violations, the offending district must cover the new school's costs up to twice the amount of state foundation aid the student originally received. The State Board of Education would have the authority to create rules to enforce these requirements.
This bill proposes a 5% excise tax on the retail sale of ammunition in Nebraska, requiring sellers to collect and remit the tax to the Department of Revenue. The revenue generated from this tax would be split among three specific funds: 50% for a property tax credit, 35% for a wildlife management grant program, and 15% for a post-traumatic stress disorder grant program. The Department of Health and Human Services would administer the mental health grants to support entities addressing PTSD, while the Game and Parks Commission would manage the wildlife grants to assist with related services. Both grant programs allow eligible entities to apply for funding based on criteria established by the respective agencies.
This bill proposes to end the Perkins County Canal Project by repealing the existing laws that created the project fund and authorizing the construction of a canal. It directs the state to transfer all remaining money and investment earnings from the fund into other state accounts, specifically the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund, the Economic Recovery Contingency Fund, the Museum Construction and Maintenance Fund, and the Inland Port Authority Fund. Additionally, the legislation requires a final study on the canal's costs, timeline, and environmental impacts to be completed and presented to the legislature before the fund is fully dissolved.
This bill proposes changes to the Nebraska individual and corporate income tax rates by updating the specific tax brackets and percentages applied to taxable income. It directly affects residents who file individual income tax returns and corporations doing business within the state. A key provision involves adjusting the dollar thresholds for tax brackets annually based on inflation, while also establishing a schedule where the highest individual tax rate decreases over time from 2024 through 2030. Additionally, the legislation outlines how the Tax Commissioner must update tax tables and rate schedules to reflect these new rules and ensure taxpayers can easily calculate their liability.
This bill, known as the Long-Term Resident Homestead Exemption Act, would allow homeowners in Nebraska who have lived in the same property for at least ten years to pay zero school district taxes on their home. To qualify, owners must apply through their county assessor and would only need to reapply every five years as long as they remain eligible. The legislation ensures that the state reimburses counties and school districts for the lost tax revenue, distributing the funds monthly to help cover the shortfall. Additionally, the bill clarifies that recipients of this new exemption cannot simultaneously claim other existing homestead tax exemptions for the same year.
This bill modifies the tax authority of Nebraska's natural resources districts to ensure they can continue funding their operations after a previous law was repealed. It grants districts the power to levy specific property taxes based on their funding needs, with higher limits allowed for districts in overappropriated river basins or those managing interstate compacts. To support these districts, the state commits to providing annual funding that increases by 3.5% each year, starting in fiscal year 2025-26, though districts retain the option to levy their own taxes if the state fails to meet this funding target.
This bill updates the rules for Nebraska's Cash Reserve Fund, a state treasury account managed by the State Treasurer designed to hold money for future needs. It establishes specific amounts that must be moved into and out of the fund between 2023 and 2025 to support various programs, including school safety, public safety communications, economic recovery, and infrastructure projects. The legislation also sets a minimum balance requirement of $500 million before any money can be taken from the reserve to pay for property tax incentives. Additionally, the bill clarifies when the State Treasurer can transfer funds to the General Fund if cash shortages occur and includes a provision to reverse those transfers once funds are replenished.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow individuals to file lawsuits against political subdivisions if they extend expiring taxes without prior voter approval at a November general election. The amendment specifically targets situations where local governments extend tax measures that have already expired, violating state laws by bypassing the required voting process. If approved by voters, this change would create a legal mechanism for citizens to challenge such unauthorized tax extensions in court. Currently, the bill has been indefinitely postponed and has not been enacted into law.
This bill, known as the Prison Population Reduction and Property Tax Relief Act, aims to lower Nebraska's incarceration rates to generate state savings that can be used to reduce property taxes. It establishes two main programs: one allowing for early release from parole and another offering relief for individuals serving long-term sentences, both intended to decrease the prison population without requiring new funding. The legislation also directs courts to consider non-prison sentences like probation or community service when appropriate and creates a process for people unable to pay fines to request hearings rather than face arrest. Additionally, the bill assigns reporting duties to correctional agencies to track cost savings and monitor the effectiveness of these new programs.
This bill, known as the Employee Contributions Tax Incentive Act, allows employed individuals in Nebraska to exclude certain union dues and assessments from their state income tax. The law specifically targets payments made to labor organizations for workforce training, education, and recruitment, while explicitly excluding any portion of those payments used for political activities. Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, the tax reduction applies only to the amount of contributions that are already included in an individual's federal adjusted gross income. The Department of Revenue is authorized to create rules and regulations to implement these changes, and the bill also amends existing tax statutes to harmonize these provisions.
This bill proposes to adjust the income limits and exemption percentages for Nebraska homestead tax relief, directly affecting homeowners who qualify for property tax reductions. For applications filed in 2025 and later, the bill would introduce a new provision that increases the tax exemption percentage for long-term residents who have lived in their homes for at least twenty or twenty-five years. Additionally, it outlines specific income thresholds that determine the level of relief available to married couples, single individuals, and those with disabilities or service-connected conditions. The legislation aims to update existing tax rules by incorporating these new eligibility factors and adjusting income limits for inflation.
