Legislature adopts urban‑affairs package amendment and advances municipal land‑bank bill

Senator McKinney introduced LB 11‑35 to modernize the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act and described the committee amendment AM 2‑460 as a vehicle that incorporates multiple urban development measures. "By combining these related measures we're providing a comprehensive set of tools for our municipalities to manage growth, transparency and development," McKinney said.

AM 2‑460 includes four principal components: (1) LB 799 — service contract reporting requirements for certain larger cities and metropolitan counties to increase fiscal transparency; (2) LB 842 — statutory authority for many cities and villages to contract with private entities for parking operations and enforcement while preserving municipal appeal authority; (3) LB 1163 — clarifying PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) lien treatment and enforcement authority; and (4) LB 1168 — updates to community development/TIF law that authorize conduit revenue bonds, allow pledging less than 100% of incremental tax revenue in some cases and permit taxpayer agreements requiring developer assurances for underperforming projects.

Senator McKinney offered an additional floor amendment (AM 26‑95) to require at least one land‑bank board member reside in a qualified census tract containing most land bank property; the amendment was approved and AM 2‑460 was adopted. The clerk reported final floor votes of 42 ayes, 1 nay on the committee amendment and 43 ayes, 1 nay on the advancement of LB 11‑35 to E & R initial.

Supporters argued the package improves municipal tools and transparency; questions on specific components were addressed on the floor and proponents said they would follow up with select‑file language if needed. LB 11‑35 now proceeds to E & R initial.