Urban Affairs Committee
February 11, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Terrell McKinney | Bills Heard: 4 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB90: Street Improvement Districts in Cities of the First Class
Introduced by: Sen. Stan Clouse | Testimony: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Clouse bill harmonizes street improvement rules across Nebraska city classes. LB90 gives first-class cities the same flexibility as smaller municipalities to fund street repairs without mandatory special assessments on property owners. The bill maintains heightened notice and objection protections that have existed since the early 1900s.
Why it matters: Currently, Omaha and other first-class cities must levy special assessments for street improvements, while smaller cities can choose to fund them publicly. This creates inconsistent treatment of similar infrastructure projects across the state.
What they're saying: - Bond attorney Mike Rogers: The distinction "has always been a little unclear as to why the differences have existed," and the bill "would clear up one of the primary ones." - League of Nebraska Municipalities: The bill received "unanimous support" from both larger and smaller municipalities after review.
What's next: No vote was taken during the hearing. The bill will advance through the committee process.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Tony Sorrentino Unclear: Sen. Dan Quick
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB450: Property Assessed Clean Energy Act Update
Introduced by: Sen. John Fredrickson | Testimony: 12 proponents, 1 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Fredrickson expands PACE financing to include grid resilience after devastating summer storm. LB450 allows Nebraska property owners to use Property Assessed Clean Energy loans for backup generators, solar panels with battery storage, and smart grid technology—not just energy efficiency upgrades. The bill is permissive; municipalities choose whether to participate.
Why it matters: The July 31 derecho left 200,000+ Omaha residents without power for up to 7 days. This bill gives homeowners a financing tool to invest in individual resilience measures, reducing strain on the grid during peak demand and severe weather events.
What they're saying: - Sen. Clouse: Appreciated that the bill allows non-renewable backup generators alongside renewables, since "sometimes the sun is not shining, the wind is not blowing." - Chris Peterson, former PACE lobbyist: PACE is "among the most successful economic development tools" the Legislature has created "at no cost to taxpayers." - Sen. Andersen: Expressed concern that borrowers "end up getting in a very difficult place that they have a hard time getting out of."
By the numbers: 12 proponent comments online; 1 opponent; 0 neutral.
What's next: No vote was taken. The bill will continue through the committee process.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Stan Clouse Skeptical: Sen. Bob Andersen Unclear: Sen. Tony Sorrentino
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB287: Omaha Housing Authority Bedbug Inspection and Remediation Requirements
Introduced by: Sen. Terrell McKinney | Testimony: 13 proponents, 0 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
McKinney bill mandates bedbug inspections and remediation at Omaha Housing Authority. LB287 requires OHA to visually inspect units, prohibit renting infested properties, disclose adjacent infestations to prospective tenants, provide professional remediation, and maintain written records. The authority bears all costs. The bill responds to widespread infestations documented in multiple class action lawsuits.
Why it matters: OHA residents have endured bedbugs for years, suffering painful welts, sleeplessness, and social isolation. Bedbugs spread rapidly through multifamily buildings and require expensive whole-building heat treatment to eradicate. Current conditions violate residents' right to safe, habitable housing.
What they're saying: - Paul Feilmann, community advocate: "Once you let a building become infested, it's impossible to do anything with that situation unless you do a whole building treatment." Heat treatment at 130-150 degrees kills bedbugs and eggs in hours. - David Levy, OHA Board Chair: The bill is "special legislation" improperly targeting OHA; many provisions "duplicate what is already required by HUD." Cited funding constraints and pending litigation. - Sen. Andersen: "Nobody should have to live in that kind of environment." Emphasized human dignity and suggested expanding the bill to address other pests.
By the numbers: 13 proponent comments online; 0 opponents; 1 neutral testimony.
What's next: No vote was taken. Senators discussed potential amendments to expand scope, modify timelines, and apply to all housing authorities statewide.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Bob Andersen, Sen. Jane Cavanaugh, Sen. Mike Rountree Unclear: Sen. Stan Clouse
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB514: City Council Authority to Regulate Housing Authorities
Introduced by: Sen. Terrell McKinney | Testimony: 3 proponents, 1 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
McKinney bill gives Omaha city council power to regulate housing authority by ordinance. LB514 allows cities of the metropolitan class to adopt ordinances regulating housing authorities, including code enforcement, inspections, penalties, and reporting requirements. The bill is permissive—cities choose whether to act. McKinney argues local government is better positioned than the Legislature to oversee day-to-day operations.
Why it matters: OHA commissioners are appointed by the mayor and approved by city council, yet the city claims it has no authority to hold the authority accountable. This bill fills that gap, giving local government tools to enforce compliance when federal oversight proves insufficient.
What they're saying: - Sen. McKinney: "The mayor appoints, the city council approves, so what skin in the game should they have to hold OHA accountable?" Local government is "closer to the people" and should be more responsive. - Jennifer Taylor, OHA Board Member: The bill is "vague," "overly broad," and "duplicative" of existing HUD and state regulations. OHA is already subject to annual HUD inspections and must comply with Omaha Municipal Code. - Alicia Christensen, Together: Local partners are "better positioned" to "create and implement effective solutions" and "enforce compliance."
What's next: No vote was taken. Senators discussed potential amendments to expand the bill to all housing authorities statewide and clarify vague language on penalties.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Bob Andersen, Sen. Jane Cavanaugh, Sen. Mike Rountree Unclear: Sen. Tony Sorrentino
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
The committee heard four bills on February 11, 2025. Committee Chair McKinney opened with procedural instructions regarding testifier sheets, the 5-minute light system, and written testimony submission deadlines. Committee members present included Sen. Dan Quick (District 35), Sen. Victor Rountree (District 3), Sen. Stan Clouse (District 37), Sen. Bob Andersen (District 49), and Sen. Tony Sorrentino (District 39). Legal counsel Elsa Knight and committee clerk Sally Schultz assisted. Pages were Wesley Earhart and Arnav Rishi, both UNL political science majors. LB90 and LB450 advanced without opposition. LB287 and LB514 generated significant debate regarding Omaha Housing Authority oversight, with proponents emphasizing resident welfare and opponents citing funding constraints and regulatory duplication. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.