Mark your calendar for next year's Legislative Forum, January 26, 2012.
 2011 Legislature Recap
The 102nd Legislature concluded May 26, several days earlier than scheduled. Legislation that the Governor signed will become law in 90 days, effective August 26. Legislation that is still pending will be dealt with next year. Below is an update on legislation of most interest to AIA Nebraska members as well as other legislation we are monitoring. Click here for the full list of legislation AIA Nebraska was following.
LB 45 ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS REGULATION ACT: Would make various changes to the act including: clarify that a licensed or certified member or other legally recognized profession, who does not represent himself or herself to be practicing architecture or engineering, is exempt from the act; allowing persons enrolled as an engineer-intern in another state to be enrolled in Nebraska as an engineer-interest. Support without cross discipline, cross discipline language removed. GOVERNOR SIGNED
LB 228 DEFERRED BUILDING RENEWABLE ACT: Would include the conducting of energy audits within the definition of deferred maintenance under the act. It would require that a copy of an energy audits performed under the act be sent to the state agency operating the building and to the Legislature's Deferred Maintenance Committee. Support GOVERNOR SIGNED
LB 283 ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS: Would allow school districts to utilize qualified capital purpose bonds and qualified zone academy bonds for energy efficiency projects. Support - GOVERNOR VETOED was sustained. The Governor vetoed due to special bonding authority has been limited primarily to life, health and safety issues. The definition of energy projects in the bill was vague and could increase the use of bonding authority and property taxes.
LB 329 UPDATED ENERGY CODE: Would update the Nebraska Energy Code to adopt the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. Current law adopts the 2003 version of the code. The bill would also change the definition of historic buildings exempt from the code. Support GOVERNOR SIGNED
LB 388 SITE AND BUILDING DEVELOPMENT ACT: Would transfer $3 million from the Affordable Housing Fund to the Site and Development Fund. The Department of Economic Development could access the Site and Development Fund for grants or zero interest loans to municipalities or counties for the purpose of acquiring or preparing large sites and buildings for industrial development. The Department could also use the fund for technical assistance, design and finance services for municipalities and counties for creation of industrial ready sites, loan guarantees for eligible projects, assistance in making industrial ready sites more accessible, and infrastructure projects for industrial ready sites. Support GOVERNOR SIGNED
LB 389 ANGEL INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT ACT: Would allow a tax a credit to provide an incentive for angel investors in Nebraska to invest more dollars in high-tech and other startup enterprises across the state. Support GOVERNOR SIGNED
LB 387 BUSINESS INNOVATION ACT: Would adopt the Business Innovation Act to encourage and support the transfer of Nebraska-based technology and innovation in distressed areas of the state. Monitor GOVERNOR SIGNED
Additionally, supported providing a $25 million infusion of state funds for the initial development of the University of Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln.
Gov. Heineman Highlights Productive Session as Nebraska Legislature Adjourns for 2011
Click here for article
|
