Housing

LB 839 amends Nebraska's Municipal Density and Missing Middle Housing Act to update reporting requirements for cities. It requires cities to submit biennial reports to the Urban Affairs Committee detailing efforts related to affordable housing, including whether they have adopted or implemented an affordable housing action plan (new requirement added at subsection (m)). This directly affects all Nebraska cities with residential zoning, as they must now report on their progress toward housing affordability goals. The bill streamlines reporting by modifying Section 19-5504, repealing the original section while adding specific new data points for transparency.

LB 215 establishes a program to help eligible inmates serving long sentences (25 years for offenses committed under age 26, 30 years for others) seek reduced sentences through the Board of Pardons. It requires the Parole Board to assess rehabilitation risk, involve community input, and develop detailed reentry plans - including housing, job support, and mental health services - if commutation is granted. The bill mandates that denied applicants receive specific steps to improve future applications and requires ongoing program evaluation based on outcomes.

This bill appropriates specific funds to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 288. It allocates $97,030 from the Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Fund and $103,200 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for fiscal year 2025-26, and $118,110 and $126,410 respectively for 2026-27, to the Department of Economic Development’s Program 601. The funds are designated to carry out provisions of LB 288, with a cap on salary expenditures at $103,520 for 2025-26 and $138,030 for 2026-27. As a funding bill, it directly affects the Department of Economic Development’s budget execution for Program 601.

LB 266 prohibits local governments in Nebraska (cities, counties, and their agencies) from passing any ordinances that would impose rent controls on private rental properties. The bill defines "ordinance" broadly to include local laws, rules, or regulations, and states such restrictions are null and void if enacted. Exceptions allow local governments to adopt ordinances aimed at increasing affordable housing supply through land-use rules or voluntary private programs where property owners contractually agree to rent restrictions. This law overrides local home rule charters and became effective upon the governor's approval on April 7, 2025.