Resignation

State Senator Mike Groene (North Platte) resigns from the Legislature tomorrow. Check your local rag for the sorted details about if/how he allegedly objectified and demeaned one of his legislative employees.

The Governor will quickly fill the vacant seat with another Republican. Lincoln County Board member Chris Bruns and retired hospital CEO Mel McNea are currently running for Groene’s position because he is term-limited. The anointed one quickly becomes the frontrunner in the May 10 Primary Election.

Wednesday, this 60-day legislative session is half over. Posturing (lobby speak for incessant talking) by several urban senators has slowed the pace of floor debate dramatically. Depending on your point of view, this is neither good nor bad. If you believe passing three bills in 30 days is a good thing….run for the Legislature.

Finally, one must admire the highly-coordinated lobbying efforts of the University of Nebraska. Their ask for ARPA-related funds, on Thursday alone, was $180 million. No criticism. Just sayin’ these folks are professionals of the highest order at cleaning the meat from a chicken bone.

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General File

LB91 (Brandt) Monitor – Expands the date after germination or viability testing that native flower and grass seeds may continue to be sold or offered for sale without retesting and allowing seed viability testing instead of germination rate testing for certain seeds.
- AM96 Defines native and nonnative plant species, seed germination, storage, testing, viability, and sales.
LB543 (Brandt Priority) Support – Agricultural Equipment Right-To-Repair-Act.
LB290 (M. Cavanaugh) Oppose – Adopts the Paid Family & Medical Leave Insurance Act. Won’t pass.
LB925 (Gragert Priority) Resilient Soils and Water Quality Act and state intent regarding appropriations of $250,000 per year for five years.
LB939 (Linehan) Revenue Committee Priority Amended by the Committee, the 6.84% top individual tax rate would reduce to 6.34% in 2023, 6.14% in 2024, and 5.84% in 2025. The 5.58% tax rate on corporate income under $100,000 remains. The corporate tax rate on income over $100,000 is 7.5%. In 2023, that top rate would be 7%. In 2024, 6.5%. In 2025, 6.14%, and in 2026, 5.84%.
LB986 (Briese Priority) – Failed to Advance – Limits the property tax request for a school district by its property tax request authority. The limit does not apply to the tax request required to retire bonded indebtedness.

Held In Committee

LB52 (Lathrop) Monitor – Immunity for injury or death resulting from COVID-19 exposure.
LB79 (Briese) Monitor – Changes the minimum amount of relief provided in the Property Tax Credit Act.
LB133 (Erdman) Monitor – Adopts a consumption tax and eliminates other taxes.
LB329 (Wayne) Monitor – The minimum average wholesale gasoline price would be $2.44.
- AM411 Employer tax incentives for hiring felons, including those on parole or probation.
LB422 (Briese) Monitor – Reduces state sales tax from 5.5 cents to 5 cents and eliminates several sales tax exemptions.
LB483 (J Cavanaugh) Monitor – Creates a $250,000 climate change study and plan.
LB622 (Friesen) Monitor – Limits growth in property valuations and provides adjustments to assessed values.
LB694 (Blood) Provides a statute of limitations for exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals, prescription drugs, or medical devices.
LB730 (Lindstrom) An employer who employs a qualified apprentice or trainee for at least seven months of a taxable year is allowed a $1,000 nonrefundable credit against the income tax paid.
LB761 (Dorn) The Precision Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Act provides $10 million for agricultural producers to lead the nation in precision ag connectivity, sustainability, traceability, and autonomy. In addition, to provide high-speed internet service to high-cost and remote areas.
LB805 (Hughes) Agriculture Committee Priority Changes provisions relating to prioritizing applications and intent to appropriate under the Noxious Weed Control Act.
LB806 (Bostelman) Provisions relating to land drainage by the landowner.
LB941 (Slama) Hearing 2/25 Sales and use tax exemption for net wrap.
LB987 (Briese) Prohibits school districts from raising property taxes beyond 3% growth.
LB1023 (Hilgers) McDonnell Priority STARWARS Lower Platte River Lake Development: construction of a combined reservoir within the floodplain that will create a 4,000-acre lake to provide new development, recreation, flood control, and water quality. Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area: marina projects to expand water access and recreational opportunities. Lake McConaughy: marina projects to expand water access and recreation. Niobrara State Park: A new event center and lodge.
LB1030 (Friesen) Exempts all tangible personal property from property tax.
LB1074 (Bostelman) Would provide $50 million in grants to irrigation districts to be used for repair or construction of any headgate, flume, diversion structure, check valve, or any other physical structure used for irrigation projects.