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NebraskaLB355109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessionslegislature

Change provisions relating to census data used for certain tax and economic development programs

Sponsored By: Bob Andersen

Signed by Governor

Revenue Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Bigger ImagiNE credits, earlier eligibility

The law raises some ImagiNE credit rates by one percentage point. You get the extra point if your qualified site is in an area declared "extremely blighted" before the ramp-up period ends. You also get an extra point if you are a benefit corporation, held that status for at least one year before applying, and keep it through your agreement. Credits apply in each year you meet the required jobs and investment levels. For one credit, investment made after your complete application but before the performance period can count in the first year.

ImagiNE property tax break with filing

Your business can exempt personal property at a qualified site from property tax if you place it in service after your complete application and meet one of these before the ramp-up ends: $5,000,000 investment and 30 new hires; $50,000,000 investment, average pay at least 150% of the Nebraska statewide average wage, and an offer of minimum essential health coverage to full-time employees; or $250,000,000 investment and 250 new hires. The exemption starts the January 1 after you qualify and can run through the ninth December 31 after the first eligible year. To keep the exemption, you must file a claim each year by May 1 with the Tax Commissioner, file a separate claim for each agreement and each county, and send a copy to each county assessor. The Tax Commissioner decides eligibility by August 1 each year.

0.5% fee on ImagiNE incentives

If you receive or use ImagiNE incentives (not the personal property exemption), you must pay a fee equal to 0.5% of the incentive amount. You pay it before or at receipt, by direct payment, from your refund, or with your application. All fees go to the ImagiNE Nebraska Cash Fund run by the Department of Economic Development.

New population counts for district funding

For the 20% share of state aid that depends on population, certified development districts now use the latest federal decennial census counts. If the census lacks a number for a county’s unincorporated area, the Department of Economic Development sets that number. A district’s share can rise or fall based on this count.

American Community Survey sets incentive areas

Nebraska now uses the most recent American Community Survey five‑year data, not the once‑a‑decade census, to set area eligibility. It uses these numbers to declare "extremely blighted" areas and to define economic redevelopment areas for tax incentives when local unemployment averages at least 150% of the state rate over that five‑year period. It also uses them to define high‑poverty areas for some job‑training grants where more than 30% of people are below the poverty line, including adjoining tracts. The same five‑year unemployment test applies to Innovation Hub redevelopment areas. This can change which places qualify for incentives and grants.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bob Andersen

    Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 75 • No: 1

legislature vote • 4/10/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 46 • No: 1

legislature vote • 3/12/2025

Vote

Yes: 29 • No: 0 • Other: 20

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on April 14, 2025

    4/14/2025legislature

  2. Presented to Governor on April 10, 2025

    4/10/2025legislature

  3. President/Speaker signed

    4/10/2025legislature

  4. Passed on Final Reading 46-1*-2

    4/10/2025legislature

  5. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    4/10/2025legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    4/3/2025legislature

  7. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    3/28/2025legislature

  8. Placed on Select File

    3/25/2025legislature

  9. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    3/12/2025legislature

  10. Placed on General File

    2/18/2025legislature

  11. Notice of hearing for February 13, 2025

    2/5/2025legislature

  12. Referred to Revenue Committee

    1/21/2025legislature

  13. Date of introduction

    1/16/2025legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/16/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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