With the 2013 legislative session coming to a close this month I would like to share the Lincoln Independent Business Association’s (LIBA) legislative efforts at the state level.  LIBA monitored the progress of many legislative bills as they moved through the process but our committees focused their efforts specifically on the following four bills:

LB 553 – Amendments to the Nebraska School Employee’s Retirement System

Over the past several months LIBA’s committees have grown more and more concerned about the unfunded liabilities ($2.3 Billion) accruing in defined benefit pension plans across the state. LB 553 addressed the unfunded liabilities accruing in this retirement plan.  LIBA testified at the public hearing in a neutral capacity.  We took the position that the bill proposed a number of small changes that would reduce liabilities in the short run but that systematic change is necessary to solve the problem.  LIBA also proposed that eligibility requirements be changed so that employees must work 20 hours a week to become eligibility for retirement benefits as opposed to the current 15 hours a week.

LIBA’s proposed amendment was adopted by the committee and the bill was passed by the legislature.  This discussion will likely trigger a larger conversation.  The state of Nebraska’s Public Employee Retirement System is now a $2.3 Billion issue in the public eye that will receive more attention debate next session.

LB 97 – The Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act

The Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act will allow cities to create a new government entity, a Land Bank, charged with buying and developing property.  Last session a similar bill was introduced and LIBA successfully opposed it.  This year, thanks to LIBA, this bill was limited to the city of Omaha.

LIBA opposed the act as it would both create a new layer of government and enable that government entity to directly compete with the private sector.

LB 454 – The Electronics Extended Producer Responsibility and Job Creation Act

This Act was intended to increase recycling of electronics but would effectively place huge financial and regulatory burdens on many of Lincoln’s electronics retailers.  The act would have required local retailers to each pay a registration fee of up to $5,000, yearly fees of $2,750, keep burdensome records including the weight of electronics sold and recycled, and to pay for a toll free number, a website and public service announcements about recycling electronics.

LIBA testified against this bill in committee.  In the end our testimony was successful in stopping this bill.

LR 29 CA – A Constitutional Amendment to Change Tax Increment Financing Terminology from “Substandard and Blighted” to “Area in Need of Redevelopment” and to Extend TIF from 15 to 20 Years.

The legislation would have extended the life of tax increment financing projects from 15 to 20 years.  LIBA opposed only this part of the bill – opting to instead keep TIF at its current 15 year limit.  TIF is a valuable tool for redevelopment however this increase in funds for the project or the city comes at the cost of our counties and schools.  The legislative committee agreed with our position and placed the bill in front of the legislature without any provision to extend TIF.

Thank you.


LIBA applauds the Nebraska Legislature for listening to input on these bills and working hard on behalf of Nebraska’s taxpayers during this legislative session. LIBA recognizes the sacrifice that each Senator has made to provide a successful session, resulting in several positive changes for Nebraskans.