Housing

This legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Urban Affairs Committee to conduct an interim study on residential building codes and land development regulations to identify which rules may increase costs for affordable and workforce housing. The study will examine existing code exceptions, evaluate unnecessary requirements, analyze cost-to-benefit ratios, and explore how local and state regulations impact construction prices. The committee will consult with housing industry stakeholders and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on gathering information rather than implementing immediate policy changes.

This legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Revenue Committee to conduct an interim study on finding new funding options for affordable and workforce housing. The bill addresses a shortage of housing by examining how other states finance these programs and identifying alternative revenue sources beyond the General Fund and documentary stamp tax. The committee will investigate current funding gaps and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on research rather than immediate policy changes, aiming to inform future legislative decisions about housing finance.

This legislative resolution directs the Urban Affairs Committee to conduct an interim study on innovative methods for housing development, financing, and ownership in Nebraska. The study will explore new approaches such as tokenized credit systems, community-based investment models, and digital infrastructure to improve affordable housing access and public investment transparency. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council or Legislature upon completion. This action is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and does not enact any new laws.

LB 811 amends Nebraska's Municipal Land Bank Act to clarify which cities can establish land banks. It updates Section 18-3404 to specify that only cities classified as "metropolitan class" or "primary class" may create standalone land banks, removing ambiguous language. The bill harmonizes these requirements with other sections of the law and ensures consistency in how municipalities form land banks. This directly affects Nebraska cities seeking to create land banks to manage vacant or abandoned properties.

This bill (LB 768) amends Nebraska's housing finance laws to expand the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority's (NIFA) powers, allowing it to partner with nonprofit entities supporting housing projects. It modifies the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act, Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act, and Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act to require the Department of Economic Development to allocate at least 30% of Affordable Housing Trust Fund dollars to each congressional district annually. The bill also eliminates the housing advisory committee and updates fund administration rules, including streamlining grant application processes and clarifying fund transfers. These changes directly affect housing developers, local governments, and low-to-moderate income residents seeking affordable housing assistance under the three affected acts.

This bill (LB 1007) changes Nebraska's landlord-tenant law to protect renters. It requires landlords to return security deposits if a signed rental agreement is never finalized, and bans rental agreements from containing clauses that prevent tenants from sharing the agreement's terms with others. Landlords who violate these rules could face lawsuits where tenants recover the deposit, legal fees, and additional damages. The law directly affects renters (by preventing unfair financial losses) and landlords (by restricting certain contract terms).

LB 1045 creates the Nebraska Public Housing Preservation Trust to address deferred maintenance and funding gaps in the state's public housing. The trust, governed by a nine-member board including residents and community representatives, will supplement federal housing funds with dedicated public financing to preserve affordability, prevent displacement, and modernize aging infrastructure. It requires all trust assets to remain permanently dedicated to public housing for low-income residents, with strict rules preventing assets from reverting to the state or transferring to private entities. This bill directly affects local housing agencies managing public housing developments and their residents across Nebraska.

LB 1094 adopts two key laws to streamline housing development in Nebraska. It requires local governments to automatically approve most housing projects (including single-family homes, accessory units, and apartment buildings) that meet existing zoning rules, eliminating discretionary reviews by planning commissions. The bill also mandates that permit decisions be made within 75 days, with automatic approval if delayed, and requires clear written reasons for denials. This directly affects developers, homeowners seeking to build accessory units, and local permitting authorities, while excluding restrictions from homeowners' associations. The law includes a court appeal process for denied permits, requiring strict review of permit authority decisions.

Nebraska's LB 779 prohibits health care facilities and medical debt collection agencies from charging interest or late fees on medical debt for 90 days after the final invoice is due, with any annual interest capped at 3%. The bill also prevents liens or foreclosures on a patient's primary residence to collect unpaid medical bills. It directly affects patients who owe medical debt by limiting collection practices and protecting their homes from debt-related property seizures. The law applies to all medical debt defined as obligations for health care services, as specified in the bill.

LB 988 amends Nebraska's Community Development Law to update definitions and rules for designating blighted areas and using tax-increment financing. It specifically redefines "blighted area" with new criteria, including unemployment rates, building ages, and affordability requirements (e.g., requiring at least 20% affordable housing). The bill also sets strict limits: cities cannot designate more than 35% of their area as blighted (or 50% for smaller cities), with exceptions for defense sites or designated "extremely blighted" areas. These changes aim to standardize redevelopment planning and limit tax-increment financing use while harmonizing existing law sections.