नेब्रास्का एक सदनात्मक अद्यावधिक - फेब्रुअरी ११, २०२०

एलबी 974 (Revenue Committee) Oppose → Change taxation and school funding provisions.
Introduced and prioritized by the Revenue Committee, LB 974 stands as a revised property tax relief/school funding bill. As outlined prior to the hearing, the bill would use $405 million in projected revenue surpluses over three years, but with a cost of more than $535 million.
The bill would also lower the taxable value of agricultural land by 20 percent over two years—both in and out of the school funding formula—for school taxing purposes. This would also be replicated for residential and commercial property, at a reduced rate of 15 percent over three years. Replacing some of the funds lost, foundation aid up to 15 percent of state net sales and income taxes would be allocated on a per-student basis to provide each school with up to 15 percent of basic funding. Foundation aid would be graduated from 5 percent in year one, to 10 percent in year two, and 15 percent in year three and beyond. Significant changes would also be made to the way in which schools would be able to spend, including limiting school spending growth to the consumer price index, reducing the building fund from 14 to 6 cents and a loss in unused budget authority. 
Amendment (AM)2433 would revise estimated costs to $500 million,which is still in excess of projected revenue surpluses. AM 2499, 2500, 2518, 2519, 2520, 2521 provide minor corrective language. AM 2452 would strike sections 1, 8, and 10-34 and replace these sections with language providing $380 million to the Property Tax Credit Fund.
Following three hours of debate on the floor, no vote was taken. It is unknown if the bill will return to the agenda for further debate.
This upturning of the state’s education formula and the unstainable revenue sources would create further instability for schools and do little to address the structural issues of Nebraska’s property tax-school funding issu
Referred to the Revenue Committee. Hearing held Jan. 22. The Center for Rural Affairs testified in opposition. Placed on General File. AM 2433 filed. Prioritized by the Revenue Committee. Motion (MO) 152 to recommit filed. MO 152 withdrawn, MO 153 to bracket until April 23 filed. MO 153 withdrawn. AM 2500 filed and pending. AM 2499 filed. AMs 2518, 2519, 2520, 2521 filed. MO 154 to bracket until Feb. 25 filed and pending. AM 2452 filed. 

एलबी 1073 (DeBoer) Support → Create the School Financing Review Commission, add basic funding aid, and change adjusted valuations, the local effort rate, and certification dates.
LB 1073 offers a means to reduce the state’s reliance on property tax for school funding while also establishing the School Financing Review Commission to conduct an in-depth review of financing K-12 public schools and the current school funding model, to be reported upon no later than fall 2021. Three mechanisms will be used to create a reduction in the state’s reliance on property taxes for the funding of schools: basic funding aid, lowering of agricultural land valuations in the current school funding formula, and a reduction of the local effort rate. Under the bill, all school districts would receive 7.5 percent of basic funding as outlined in the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Act (TEEOSA), which will benefit non-equalized schools while not harming equalized districts. Further increasing equalization aid to districts, especially those with large tracts of agricultural land, LB 1073 would reduce ag-land valuations from 75 percent to 52 percent within the TEEOSA formula—effectively lowering the available resources side of the formula. Moreover, the bill would lower the local effort rate from $1 to 99 cents, six cents below the maximum level, increasing state aid for equalized school districts. 
Referred to the Education Committee. Hearing held Feb. 11. The Center for Rural Affairs testified in support. Prioritized by Sen. DeBoer.

एलबी 879 (Geist) Oppose → Eliminate funding for the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit Act and change the termination date for applications.
LB 879 would bring an early sunset to the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit and redirect the roughly $2 million in funds to the Business Innovation Act under the Department of Economic Development. The Microenterprise Tax Credit, established in 2005, provides a 20-percent refundable income tax credit up to $10,000 to businesses with five or fewer employees, based on designated investments in their business. This tax credit has been a critical asset to rural and small business owners who are not eligible for larger tax credit programs. 
Referred to the Revenue Committee. Hearing held Jan. 23. The Center for Rural Affairs testified in opposition. Center board members and supporters authored and submitted opposition letters of testimony.

See our op-ed that appeared in the लिंकन जर्नल स्टार

एलबी 996 (Brandt) Support → Create the Broadband Data Improvement Program.
This legislation, drafted by the Center in partnership with Sen. Brandt’s office, would create the Broadband Data Improvement Program. Passage of this bill will help ensure the state is able to fully access federal broadband grant programs by complying with data verification requirements set forth by the Federal Communications Commission. Should no federal guidelines be established for crowdsourcing data to better complete Nebraska’s broadband map, the Public Service Commission would create a crowdsourcing program, promote the program and allow for feedback on inaccuracies on federal broadband data. This legislation was brought forth as a result of Center constituents expressing concerns about inaccuracies in broadband map data and lack of service access.
Referred to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. Hearing held Feb. 3. The Center for Rural Affairs testified in support. Three Center supporters testified in person and nine submitted a letter of support. Prioritized by Sen. Brandt. Placed on General File. MO 151 to recommit to committee filed. MO 1051 withdrawn. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial. Placed on Select File.

Center for Rural Affairs legislation.
See our op-ed that appeared in the ओमाहा विश्व-हेराल्ड 

एलबी 773 (Williams) Support → Appropriate funds for the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Fund.
This bill would appropriate $10 million from the General Fund to the Department of Economic Development for fiscal year 2020-21 for the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Fund. This fund has supported workforce housing projects in communities across the state since it was enacted in 2017. 
विनियोजन समितिमा पठाइएको छ । Hearing held Feb. 12. The Center for Rural Affairs submitted a letter of support.

एलबी 992 (Friesen) Support → Adopt the Broadband Internet Service Infrastructure Act and provide for certain broadband and Internet-related services.
LB 996 जस्तै, यो विधेयकले २०१९ को अन्त्यमा जारी गरिएको ग्रामीण ब्रोडब्यान्ड टास्क फोर्स रिपोर्टका तत्वहरू कार्यान्वयन गर्न खोजेको छ। यो ब्रोडब्यान्ड प्रदायकहरूलाई पूर्वाधार विस्तार गर्न विद्युतीय उपयोगिता सहजताहरू प्रयोग गर्न अनुमति दिएर प्राप्त गरिनेछ। विधेयकले ब्रोडब्यान्ड विकासको लागि काउन्टी-आधारित समाधानहरूलाई प्रोत्साहित गर्न र राज्यका सेवा नपाएका क्षेत्रहरूमा सहकारीहरूको सिर्जना अन्वेषण गर्न राज्य ब्रोडब्यान्ड संयोजकको पद पनि सिर्जना गर्नेछ। यसले सार्वजनिक पुस्तकालयहरूलाई डिजिटल प्रशिक्षण र ई-रेट फाइलिङहरूमा सहयोग गर्न नेब्रास्का पुस्तकालय आयोगलाई क्षेत्रीय प्राविधिकहरूलाई रोजगारी दिन पनि आवश्यक पर्नेछ। अन्तमा, विधेयकले राज्यभर सार्वजनिक पुस्तकालयहरूको लागि फाइबर अप्टिक नेटवर्कहरूको निर्माणलाई समर्थन गर्न छुट्टै कोष स्थापना गर्नेछ। 
Referred to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. Hearing held Feb. 3. Prioritized by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

एलबी 1003 (Walz) Watch → Provide annexation powers to cities of the second class and villages for relocation due to catastrophic flooding.
In the wake of the 2019 floods, some small towns were devastated and residents were forced to consider the physical relocation of their community. Yet, the current state statute does not allow for this relocation. LB 1003 would allow second class cities or villages, with a vote of the mayor or chairperson and two-thirds of the city council or village board, by ordinance, to annex land for the purpose of relocating part or all of the city and village that was damaged by catastrophic flooding.This authority would not allow for the annexation of any urban or suburban land and land annexed would need to be redeveloped as a community within five years.

एलबी 1214 (Friesen) Watch → Adopt the Rural Economic Development Grant Act.
This bill creates the Rural Economic Development Grant Program to provide assistance grants to businesses located in micropolitan areas that are not eligible for the state's primary business incentive (i.e. Nebraska Advantage or ImagiNE Act.) Beyond these eligibility requirements, the existing or start-up business would need to create new jobs or make a new investment in a micropolitan area or be a non-profit or political subdivision assisting businesses in a micropolitan area. The program would be administered by the Department of Economic Development and may annually distribute grants equal to five percent of tax credits used in the previous tax year under the primary business incentive program.
An important change is needed. The Rural Economic Development Grant Program would appropriately fill a gap left by the prospective ImagiNE Nebraska Act. However, the program’s scope is limited. LB 1214 admirably recognizes that the ImagiNE Nebraska Act will leave an important segment of our business community behind. However, we are concerned that this proposal’s focus on micropolitan  statistical areas is too narrow and will leave out much of rural Nebraska.  We applaud Sen. Friesen and others for moving forward with this proposal. In order to be effective, however, the bill must be amended to account for Nebraska’s most rural and remote counties.
शहरी मामिला समितिमा सिफारिस गरियो। Hearing held Feb. 18. Prioritized by the Urban Affairs Committee. 
राजस्व समितिमा पठाइयो। फेब्रुअरी २६ मा सुनुवाइ तय भयो।

एलबी 1216 (Vargas) Support → Adopt the H3 Rural Renewal Award Act.
यो विधेयकले H3 ग्रामीण नवीकरण ऐन सिर्जना गर्नेछ जसले राज्यको ग्रामीण क्षेत्रहरूमा उच्च ज्याला, उच्च सीप, र उच्च माग भएका रोजगारीहरू र योग्य कामदारहरूलाई H3 जागिरहरूमा आकर्षित गर्न र राख्न मद्दत गर्नेछ जहाँ जनसंख्या घटेको छ र दक्ष श्रमशक्तिको अभाव छ। योग्य कर्मचारीहरूले, केही पोस्ट-माध्यमिक शिक्षा र/वा दीर्घकालीन रोजगार तालिम, प्रशिक्षुता वा प्रमाणपत्र पूरा गरेको पाँच वर्ष भित्र, निर्दिष्ट ग्रामीण क्षेत्रमा बस्दा, निर्दिष्ट ज्याला मेट्रिक्स भन्दा बढी ज्याला भएका, उनीहरूको घण्टाको ज्यालाको समानुपातिक मासिक पुरस्कार प्राप्त गर्नेछन्। यसबाहेक, कर्मचारीले कार्यक्रममा भाग लिएको प्रत्येक महिनाको लागि दुई महिना ग्रामीण निवास/समुदायमा रहन आवश्यक हुनेछ। यस विधेयक अन्तर्गत, H3 ग्रामीण नवीकरण पुरस्कार नगद कोष सिर्जना गर्न एक दान स्थापना गर्न दान सहित, २०२० मा सामान्य कोषबाट $२ मिलियन विनियोजन गरिनेछ। कार्यक्रम २०३१ मा समाप्त हुनेछ। 
व्यापार तथा श्रम समितिमा सिफारिस गरियो। Hearing held Feb 10. 

एलबी 1049 (Bolz) Support → Provide for participation in federal Child Care Subsidy assistance as prescribed.
This legislation seeks to mitigate the child care subsidy cliff effect by increasing family eligibility for assistance from 125 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) to 150 percent.. Increasing eligibility allows families to continue to receive subsidies for child care costs, while parents transition to better employment and wages. Funding would be drawn from carryover dollars within the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. LB 1049 also outlines reporting guidelines to measure the impact and effectiveness.
स्वास्थ्य तथा मानव सेवा समितिमा पठाइएको छ। Hearing held Feb. 21. The Center for Rural Affairs submitted a letter of support.

एलबी 818 (Brewer) Oppose → Adjust the nameplate capacity tax for inflation.
This bill would adjust the nameplate capacity tax based upon the Consumer Price Index on an annual basis. The nameplate capacity tax is imposed on facilities that generate electricity through wind, solar, biomass, or landfill gas, currently at a rate of $3,518 per megawatt. There is concern that this additional and variable tax will be a detraction for developers and limit the ability of communities and counties to grow their tax base through renewable energy development.
Referred to the Revenue Committee. Hearing held Jan. 24. The Center for Rural Affairs testified in opposition.

संसाधन: Fact sheet: Nebraska wind energy tax revenue

एलबी 823 (Brewer) Oppose → Provide for a special election prior to the exercise of eminent domain for transmission lines in certain circumstances.
LB ८२३ अन्तर्गत, यदि कुनै सार्वजनिक शक्ति जिल्लाले राज्य बाहिरको संस्थाद्वारा आधा भन्दा बढी वित्त पोषित परियोजनामा ​​प्रख्यात डोमेन प्रयोग गर्न खोज्छ भने, राजनीतिक उपविभाजनको रूपमा शहरहरू, गाउँहरू, काउन्टीहरू, नगरपालिकाहरू, जिल्लाहरू, वा एजेन्सीहरू विशेष चुनावको अधीनमा हुनेछन्। यी चुनावहरूले अनावश्यक लागत र नियमन सिर्जना गर्नेछन्। 
Referred to the Judiciary Committee. Hearing held Jan. 22. 

एलबी 899 (Hughes) Support → Provide certain powers to public power districts relating to biofuels and biofuel byproducts.
Under LB 899, public power districts would be allowed to develop, manufacture, use, purchase, and sell biofuel and biofuel products for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Referred to the Natural Resources Committee. Hearing held Jan. 23. Prioritized by Sen. Moser. Placed on General File. AM 2487 filed.

एलबी 933 (Crawford) Support → Change provisions relating to discontinuance of utility service.
LB 933 ले सार्वजनिक वा निजी उपयोगिता कम्पनीलाई ग्राहकले भुक्तानी नगरेको कारणले सेवा विच्छेदन वा पुन: जडानको लागि अत्यधिक शुल्क लिनबाट सीमित गर्नेछ। यसबाहेक, विधेयकले डाक्टर, चिकित्सकको सहायक वा उन्नत अभ्यास दर्ता नर्सद्वारा प्रमाणित गरिएको ज्ञात रोग वा अशक्तता भएका ग्राहकको लागि कम्तिमा 60 दिनको लागि भुक्तानी नगरेको कारणले सेवाहरू बन्द गर्न उपयोगितालाई निषेध गर्नेछ। सेवा समाप्ति जानकारी उपयोगिताको वेबसाइटमा वा मेल मार्फत अनुरोधमा जनताको लागि पोस्ट गरिनुपर्छ।
प्राकृतिक स्रोत समितिमा पठाइएको छ। Hearing held Feb. 13. The Center for Rural Affairs submitted a letter of support.

एलबी 28 (Kolterman) Support → Authorize damages for property taxes and special assessments paid on property lost through adverse possession.
The doctrine of adverse possession, which can result in landowners losing all or part of their land, has not been updated since 1869. The bill would make needed changes to this principle, allowing a landowner, who in good faith pays all of their property taxes, to be compensated for those payments when doing so is the fair and equitable outcome. Amendment (AM) 2281 alters the implementation date from 2020 to 2021. The impetus for this legislation came from Center supporters.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee. Hearing held Jan. 24, 2019. The Center for Rural Affairs testified in support. Constituents testified in support. Carried over from 2019. Placed on General File with Amendment 2281. 

Center for Rural Affairs legislation.
स्रोत: परिवर्तनको प्रतिकूल: प्रतिकूल कब्जामा आधुनिक दृष्टिकोण

एलबी 255 (McCollister) Support → Change provisions relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
LB २५५ ले संघीय गरिबी स्तरको हालको १३० प्रतिशतबाट कुल आय सीमालाई संघीय गरिबी स्तरको १४० प्रतिशतमा बढाएर SNAP क्लिफ प्रभावलाई कम गर्नेछ। खुद आय आवश्यकताहरू कायम राख्दै, यो कानूनले परिवारहरूलाई वृद्धिशील आय वृद्धिसँगै SNAP योग्यता कायम राख्न अनुमति दिनेछ।
Referred to the Health and Human Services Committee. Hearing held Feb. 7, 2019. The Center for Rural Affairs submitted a letter of support. Carried over from 2019. Placed on General File.

एलबी 972 (Brandt) Support → Change germination seed testing provisions under the Nebraska Seed Law.
LB 972 would extend the testing period for native flower and grass seed germination from 9 months to 15 months. This extended testing period accounts for the dormancy of native seeds and allows those who grow and sell native seedstock to reduce the number of testings required for the limited quantity of seeds they produce.
Referred to the Agriculture Committee. Hearing held Jan. 28. Placed on General File.

एलबी 1039 (Cavanaugh) Support → Adopt the Hunger-Free Schools Act.
LB १०३९ द्वारा उल्लिखित भोकमरीमुक्त विद्यालय ऐनले १९६६ को बाल पोषण ऐन अन्तर्गत नास्ता वा खाजा कार्यक्रममा भाग लिने नेब्रास्काका सार्वजनिक विद्यालयहरूका सबै विद्यार्थीहरूलाई योग्य नि:शुल्क नास्ता र खाजा प्रदान गर्नेछ। ६२.१ प्रतिशत भन्दा बढी विद्यार्थीहरू नि:शुल्क वा कम खाजाको लागि योग्य भएमा विद्यालयहरूले सामुदायिक योग्यता प्रावधान मार्फत खानाको लागि संघीय प्रतिपूर्ति अधिकतम गर्न आवश्यक हुनेछ, नेब्रास्का शिक्षा विभागले सामुदायिक योग्यता प्रावधान पूरा गर्ने वा बाहिर पर्ने दुवै विद्यालयहरूको लागत अफसेट गर्नेछ। यो ऐन राज्यको सामान्य कोष मार्फत वित्त पोषित हुनेछ। 
Referred to the Education Committee. फेब्रुअरी ११ मा सुनुवाइ भयो।

एलबी 1040 (Vargas) Support → Provide for a state food insecurity nutrition incentive grant program. 
LB 1040 would give the Nebraska Department of Agriculture the authority to manage and expand the state’s Double Up Food Bucks program. The Double Up Food Bucks program doubles the value of SNAP dollars, when spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at qualifying farmers markets and grocery stores. This allows Nebraskans receiving federal food assistance to stretch their food dollars, while buying healthy foods grown in Nebraska and sold by local retailers. The expansion of the program would allow for growth into more rural markets across the state. Referred to the Agriculture Committee. Hearing held Feb 11. The Center for Rural Affairs testified in support. Center constituents testified and offered letters of support.

एलबी 809 (Wayne) Support → Adopt 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code standards. 
Passage of LB 809 would allow for the updating of plumbing codes in cities and villages without specified ordinances or resolutions, through the state adoption of the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code as designated by the American National Standards Institute as an American National Standard. This legislation would codify the current national standards and practices for plumbing and ensure the health and wellbeing of residents. 
Referred to the Urban Affairs Committee. Hearing held Jan. 28. Placed on General File.

एलबी 1207 (McCollister) Support → Adopt the Redistricting Act. 
Following the 2020 Census, legislative, judicial and other districts of elected or appointed representation will need to be redrawn in Nebraska. LB 1207 seeks to establish procedures for drawing these districts in a manner in which there is equality in population, without regard for political affiliation or previous voting data and with consideration of county and community boundary lines. The bill also sets forth the process for the adoption of the completed maps by the legislature.
Referred to the Executive Board. Hearing held Feb 12. 

एलबी 1116 (Morfeld) Support → Adopt the New School Construction and Water Access Act.
The school buildings where Nebraska students spend much of their day can help shape habits and curb our state’s levels of obesity by increasing access to and the consumption of water by students. 
Right now, schools are asked to follow two conflicting requirements when planning for new school construction. LB 1116 sets one standard. The bill would also ensure at least one drinking fountain be installed on each floor of a new school building, a practice widely accepted among Nebraska schools. The bill only applies to new school construction. Moreover, the Act will require water fountains to be regularly cleaned and maintained, in order to dispense clean drinking water. These small actions will help form the lifelong behaviors that will make for a healthier Nebraska.
शहरी मामिला समितिमा सिफारिस गरियो। Hearing held Feb. 11. The Center for Rural Affairs testified in support. Center constituents testified and offered letters of support. 

Center for Rural Affairs Legislation
Read more about the hearing: Bill seeks to add more school water fountains

एलबी 810 (McCollister) Support → Impose sales tax on bottled water, candy, and soft drinks.
नेब्रास्कामा मोटोपनको दीर्घकालीन प्रभावलाई कम गर्ने हाम्रो प्रयासको प्रशंसा गर्दै, LB 810 ले क्यान्डी, सफ्ट ड्रिंक्स र बोतलबंद पानीको खरिदमा मानक बिक्री र प्रयोग कर लगाउनेछ। यस करबाट प्राप्त रकम नेब्रास्का स्वास्थ्य सेवा नगद कोषमा जम्मा गरिनेछ, जुन स्वास्थ्य सेवा सम्बन्धी खर्चहरूको लागि प्रयोग गरिन्छ। 
Referred to the Revenue Committee. Hearing held Jan. 30. Center for Rural Affairs submitted a letter of support.

एलबी 815 (Morfeld) Support → Prohibit certain section 1115 waivers under the Medical Assistance Act.
LB 815 ले मेडिकेड विस्तार पारित गरेर लागू गरिएको कानूनमा भाषा थप्छ। यो विधेयकले स्वास्थ्य तथा मानव सेवा विभागलाई सामाजिक सुरक्षा ऐनको धारा १११५ अन्तर्गत प्रदर्शन छूटको पछि लाग्न, आवेदन दिन वा कार्यान्वयन गर्न प्रतिबन्ध लगाउनेछ, जसले चिकित्सा सहायताको लागि योग्यतालाई परिमार्जन गर्नेछ।
स्वास्थ्य तथा मानव सेवा समितिमा पठाइएको छ। Hearing scheduled for Feb. 27.

एलबी 877 (Walz) Support → State intent regarding appropriations for aging and disability resource centers.
स्थानीय क्षेत्रीय वृद्धावस्था एजेन्सीहरू भित्र स्थित नेब्रास्काको वृद्धावस्था र अपाङ्गता स्रोत केन्द्रहरू (ADRC) ले वृद्धवृद्धा र अपाङ्गता भएका नेब्रास्कानहरू र उनीहरूका परिवारहरूका लागि स्रोत नेभिगेसन हबको रूपमा काम गर्दछ। LB 877 ले ADRC हरूलाई सहयोग र मार्केटिङ प्रयासहरू विस्तार गर्न कोष प्रदान गर्नेछ।
विनियोजन समितिमा पठाइएको छ । Hearing held Feb. 10. The Center for Rural Affairs submitted a letter of support.

LB 932 (Wishart) Support → Require expansion of the medical assistance program as prescribed.
LB 932 seeks to codify the start date for the expansion of Medicaid for those eligible on or before Oct. 1, 2020. Passage of this legislation would hinder the Department of Health and Human Services from further delaying the implementation of Medicaid expansion, which was passed into law in 2018. 
Referred to the Health and Human Services Committee. Hearing held  Jan 29. Center for Rural Affairs testified in support.