LB 583 adjusts how Nebraska's documentary stamp tax revenue funds seven existing programs, including the Child Care Grant Fund, Military Installation Development Fund, and Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It harmonizes rules across these funds, such as setting a $15,000 maximum for child care grants (no more than once every three years) and requiring matching funds for military installation projects. The bill specifies that tax revenue must be distributed to designated programs, like $100,000 annually for veterans' mental health services under the Military Fund. These changes streamline administration and clarify funding allocations without creating new programs or altering eligibility criteria.
LB 421 would allow licensed Nebraska racetracks to offer online sports betting through approved platforms under existing gaming laws. It prohibits betting on in-state college sports events and bans athletes, coaches, referees, and others with insider access from wagering. The bill also changes how tax revenue from sports betting is distributed to state and local entities. This proposed legislation affects licensed racetrack operators and state tax allocations but remains pending in committee.
Nebraska LB 677 updates the state's medical cannabis framework by clarifying key definitions (like "cannabis products" and "caregivers"), establishing new licensing rules for cultivators and dispensaries, and imposing a special sales tax on medical cannabis sales. It prohibits open cannabis containers in vehicles, removes medical cannabis from existing marijuana tax categories, and directs tax revenue to specific state funds. The bill directly affects qualified patients, registered caregivers, cannabis businesses, and the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, which now oversees regulation. It also repeals outdated provisions and harmonizes existing laws, though it remains pending in committee as of March 2025.
Nebraska's LB 503 creates a program allowing counties to become "American energy friendly counties" to earn additional tax revenue from privately owned renewable energy facilities (like solar and wind installations). To qualify, counties must relax zoning rules - permitting renewable projects by right without discretionary approvals, setting noise limits at 50 decibels, and limiting setbacks (e.g., 300 feet for solar). The Department of Revenue will track designated counties and the annual tax revenue generated from these facilities. This policy directly affects county governments (through new revenue options) and renewable energy developers (by standardizing local permitting requirements).
LB 328 changes how Nebraska's documentary stamp tax revenue is distributed to four specific funds: the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Homeless Shelter Assistance Trust Fund, Behavioral Health Services Fund, and Site and Building Development Fund. It requires the Department of Economic Development to report detailed project data (like locations, funding amounts, and housing units created) for the Affordable Housing Fund annually. The bill also expands the Behavioral Health Services Fund to include housing assistance for very low-income adults with serious mental illness, with excess funds potentially distributed to regional authorities for housing. These changes harmonize existing funding rules and add transparency requirements for how tax money supports housing and health services.
LB 479 changes how Nebraska distributes sales and use tax revenue from specific vehicle sales. It directs all tax money from motorboats, personal watercraft, ATVs, and utility vehicles to the Game and Parks Commission fund (with transfers to emergency medical services), and adjusts allocations for longer-term vehicle rentals and general sales taxes. Starting October 1, 2025, 85% of general sales tax revenue from most transactions will go to the Highway Trust Fund and 15% to the Highway Allocation Fund. The bill modifies existing tax distribution rules without creating new taxes, affecting state funds managing transportation, parks, and emergency services. It repeals the current funding allocation section and becomes effective October 1, 2025.
Nebraska's LB 648 changes the state's sales tax rate structure, setting a uniform 5.5% rate for most transactions from July 2024 through June 2026, with a reduced 2.75% rate in designated "good life districts" for certain sales. The bill also updates how sales tax revenue is distributed, directing proceeds from vehicle, boat, and aircraft sales to specific funds like Game and Parks, Highway Trust, and Aeronautics Capital Improvement. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, and repeals prior tax rate sections, though the exact rate after 2026 is listed as "XX percent" pending further action. This bill directly affects all Nebraska consumers and businesses selling taxable goods or services, including those in designated districts.
This bill modifies Nebraska's Property Tax Growth Limitation Act and School District Property Tax Relief Act. It changes how municipalities and school districts calculate annual property tax limits by revising formulas for "allowable growth" (accounting for new construction, annexation, and inflation) and adjusting budget calculation methods. The bill also updates rules for municipal occupation taxes, property tax statements, and allows counties to retain certain funds for costs under the School District Property Tax Relief Act. These changes directly affect local governments, school districts, and county treasurers in managing property tax revenues. The bill amends specific statutes (13-518, 13-3403, etc.) but does not alter the underlying tax rates or revenue collection mechanisms.
This bill amends Nebraska's School District Property Tax Relief Act by changing how state tax revenue is distributed between two funds. It establishes a formula to determine whether excess tax revenue goes to the Cash Reserve Fund or the School District Property Tax Relief Credit Fund, based on comparisons between actual and estimated state tax collections. The bill specifically mandates increasing annual transfers from the General Fund to the School District Property Tax Relief Credit Fund, starting with $750 million in 2024-25 and growing to $902 million by 2029-30, with future years increasing by 3% annually. These transfers directly fund property tax credits for homeowners in school districts, reducing their annual tax burden.
LB 50 changes how revenue from Nebraska's nameplate capacity tax on renewable energy facilities is distributed. Five percent of the tax revenue will go directly to the community college in the area where the renewable energy facility (like wind or solar farms) is located. The remaining revenue will be distributed to local governments (cities, counties) that would have collected property taxes on the facility if it weren't exempt, calculated based on each government's share of typical property tax revenue. This distribution continues until the facility's equipment is sold or removed, and the tax revenue cannot be redirected to the state General Fund.
