All Roll Calls
Yes: 303 • No: 0
NebraskaLB768109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Provide powers for the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority and change provisions relating to the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act, the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act, and the Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act
Sponsored By: Robert Dover
Signed by Governor
Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.
Fairer Trust Fund awards across Nebraska
The Department gives first priority to projects that serve the lowest‑income people and keep homes affordable the longest, including in enterprise or opportunity zones and extremely blighted areas. When Trust Fund money is available, the Department aims to send at least 30% to each congressional district each year. Each grant or loan round must stay open at least 90 days so applicants have more time to apply.
Rural workforce housing grants wind down
The director awards Rural Workforce Housing grants on a competitive basis through fiscal year 2026‑27. Applicants must provide at least the minimum match set in law (check the statute for the exact ratio). Nonprofits must file an annual report by February 15 or face a civil penalty up to $5,000. If a nonprofit stops administering or has unallocated grant money, it must return it—before July 1, 2027 it goes back to the Rural Fund, and on or after that date it goes to the General Fund. On July 1, 2027, any money left in the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Fund is transferred to the General Fund.
Stronger reporting and clawbacks for awards
Beginning October 1, 2025, Trust Fund award recipients must file a quarterly schedule of uses within 30 days after each quarter, with itemized costs and proof if requested. Beginning July 1, 2027, recipients must also file annual reports showing amounts obligated, repayment terms, balances, and award accounting; failure can require returning all funds and transferring equity positions. If you miss required schedules, the Department can disqualify you from pending applications or bar you for up to 24 months. The Department recaptures money not used for eligible costs and a share equal to any units not built; recipients must recapture homebuyer aid from net sale proceeds when that home is sold. The Department also monitors to make sure only qualified people live in Trust Fund‑funded homes.
Middle-income housing grants change and sunset
Middle‑income housing grants run through fiscal year 2026‑27, and no nonprofit can get more than $10,000,000 over two years. Matching funds are at least 50% for grants awarded before July 19, 2024, and at least 25% for grants on or after that date. A nonprofit cannot get another grant until it has spent at least 50% of prior grant money. Nonprofits must file an annual report by February 15 or face a civil penalty up to $5,000; if a group stops administering, unallocated funds return to the Middle Income fund before July 1, 2029 and to the General Fund on or after that date. On July 1, 2029, any money left in the Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Fund moves to the General Fund. The Department also creates a subaccount to fund affordable housing and land‑parcel preparation under the Economic Recovery Act; the reporting section does not apply to this subaccount.
Updated cost limits for workforce homes
The law updates the dollar caps and rehab‑percent tests that decide which owner‑occupied, rent‑to‑own, and rental units count as workforce or middle‑income housing. The Department updates these limits each year using the Producer Price Index. Check the statute for the exact caps and rehab thresholds in your area.
New payment and application rules for projects
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department sends 80% of a Trust Fund award for qualifying development costs to an interest‑bearing construction escrow and pays the last 20% at project completion. Escrow releases money with partial lien releases and invoices; interest can pay escrow fees; any leftover goes back to the Department. General administration, housing management fees, lead‑paint testing, and technical assistance are not qualifying costs. For new construction, you must identify the project land or have site control before you apply.
Legislature can shift housing funds; repeals
The Legislature can direct transfers from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to the General Fund and several housing‑related funds, including rural and middle‑income workforce housing funds. The act also repeals the listed older statutory sections, which are no longer in effect.
Stronger energy rules for state buildings
New state buildings must meet or beat the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code. New lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, water‑heating equipment, controls, and building‑envelope parts in state‑owned buildings must also meet that code. The State Building Administrator can adopt newer codes, add energy or renewable rules, or grant waivers if a life‑cycle cost analysis shows a waiver is in the state’s best interest. Agencies must provide the analysis when asking for a waiver.
NIFA can form nonprofits; tighter oversight
The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority may create, own, and partner with nonprofit entities to advance housing work; those entities’ debts are not NIFA’s unless NIFA says so. When NIFA runs a public‑funds program for a state agency, it must record awards and expenses in an accounting system and give access to the agency, the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, and the budget administrator. The Department of Economic Development may also hire a statewide nonprofit or state instrumentality as its agent to carry out parts of the Affordable Housing Act.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Robert Dover
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 0 • Other: 13
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 0 • Other: 13
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 35 • No: 0 • Other: 14
legislature vote • 4/9/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 49 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/6/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 0 • Other: 13
legislature vote • 3/6/2026
Vote
Yes: 35 • No: 0 • Other: 14
legislature vote • 3/6/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 0 • Other: 13
legislature vote • 3/6/2026
Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 9
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on April 14, 2026
4/17/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/10/2026legislaturePresented to Governor on April 10, 2026
4/10/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/9/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading 49-0-0
4/9/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
3/25/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER145 adopted
3/18/2026legislatureKauth FA397 withdrawn
3/18/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
3/18/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER145
3/17/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER145 filed
3/17/2026legislatureDover AM2388 adopted
3/6/2026legislatureHallstrom AM2492 to AM2364 filed
3/6/2026legislatureHallstrom AM2492 adopted
3/6/2026legislatureBanking, Commerce and Insurance AM2364 adopted
3/6/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
3/6/2026legislatureDover AM2388 to AM2364 filed
3/5/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM2364
3/3/2026legislatureBanking, Commerce and Insurance AM2364 filed
3/3/2026legislatureDover priority bill
2/19/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for February 17, 2026
1/23/2026legislatureReferred to Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee
1/9/2026legislatureKauth FA397 filed
1/8/2026legislatureDate of introduction
1/7/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
4/17/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted