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NebraskaLB116109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessionslegislature

Change provisions of the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act and the Nebraska Visitors Development Act

Sponsored By: Beau Ballard

Signed by Governor

Revenue Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Primary cities can fund low-income housing

In a primary‑class city, up to 10% of certain city funds can build qualified low‑income housing under federal 26 U.S.C. 42. The city council must agree the money is not needed for other listed convention‑center purposes first. If no qualified projects are being built or planned in the city, the 10% can support low‑income housing needs in high‑poverty areas.

Sales tax funding for convention projects

Each year, the state pays up to 70% of state sales tax from the facility, its box office, and nearby hotels and retailers to the local government, subject to the project’s cap. The law creates the Convention Center Support Fund, and after yearly certification, moves the remaining 30% to the Civic and Community Center Financing Fund. Money can repay bonds and pay for capital and parking projects, but not day‑to‑day operations. State aid ends when the bonds are paid off or when aid reaches the set amount, whichever comes first. Help for any one project cannot exceed $150 million or the project’s total cost, whichever is less.

County tourism funds and grant rules

A county may, after a public hearing, set up a Visitors Promotion Fund and a Visitors Improvement Fund with a visitors committee. Promotion Fund money must promote and attract visitors. The Improvement Fund can make grants to build, expand, and maintain visitor attractions and exhibits, and to plan projects; only public owners and nonprofits that run attractions may get these grants. Grants can last up to 20 years and cannot exceed proceeds from a dedicated 1% county sales tax for the Improvement Fund; recipients may pledge the grant to secure bonds, and those bonds are not county debts. The fund cannot pay to expand or maintain facilities with parimutuel wagering unless the site also hosts a state or agricultural fair; if capital needs are met, the fund may be used for promotion. The law defines “visitor attraction” and removes older sections now replaced by these rules.

Set-asides and local control in high-poverty areas

In metropolitan cities, 10% of (2)(a) funds and all (2)(b) funds are shared equally among high‑poverty areas. Of that money, 55% must fund history projects or reduce street and gang violence, and 45% must help small businesses and entrepreneurs. Areas that get money must create a local fund and a committee with the city council member, county commissioner, two residents (four‑year terms), and the state legislator as a nonvoting member. The committee must seek public ideas, hold a local hearing with notice, study projects, and choose annual funding; groups must file itemized reports and cannot get more than three years in a row unless they show strong results and a plan. A high‑poverty area means connected census tracts with over 30% of people below poverty, using the latest federal census for metro cities and the ACS five‑year estimate for primary‑class cities.

Who can apply and map areas

Only local governments can apply for convention‑center assistance. Applications must include a map; for approvals after June 7, 2023, the approved map fixes the area used to count associated hotels and nearby retailers. If the facility is within 600 yards of the State Capitol, the applicant may choose one or more areas inside its borders that equal the same total square footage and show them on the map. A city that already received a Civic and Community Center grant cannot also get convention‑center assistance.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Beau Ballard

    Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 257 • No: 4

legislature vote • 3/20/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 43 • No: 2 • Other: 4

legislature vote • 2/7/2025

Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0 • Other: 13

legislature vote • 2/7/2025

Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12

legislature vote • 2/7/2025

Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 1 • Other: 16

legislature vote • 1/29/2025

Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 1 • Other: 12

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0 • Other: 13

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on March 25, 2025

    3/25/2025legislature

  2. Presented to Governor on March 20, 2025

    3/20/2025legislature

  3. President/Speaker signed

    3/20/2025legislature

  4. Passed on Final Reading 43-2-4

    3/20/2025legislature

  5. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    3/20/2025legislature

  6. Enrollment and Review ST1 recorded

    2/13/2025legislature

  7. Enrollment and Review ST1 filed

    2/13/2025legislature

  8. Placed on Final Reading with ST1

    2/13/2025legislature

  9. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    2/7/2025legislature

  10. Conrad AM197 adopted

    2/7/2025legislature

  11. Conrad AM197 filed

    2/7/2025legislature

  12. Conrad AM192 adopted

    2/7/2025legislature

  13. Conrad AM192 filed

    2/7/2025legislature

  14. Placed on Select File

    1/31/2025legislature

  15. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    1/29/2025legislature

  16. Prokop name added

    1/24/2025legislature

  17. Placed on General File

    1/24/2025legislature

  18. Notice of hearing for January 23, 2025

    1/16/2025legislature

  19. Referred to Revenue Committee

    1/14/2025legislature

  20. Date of introduction

    1/10/2025legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/10/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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