58 Nebraska Cattleman August 2023 Legislative Update By Jacy Schafer NC Vice President of Legislative Affairs Successful Session On June 1, the Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die to conclude the first session of the 108th Nebraska Legislature. This year’s session was one of the most contentious and difficult in recent memory, with partisan rancor and extended filibustering over numerous issues dominating the headlines from Lincoln. Despite these headwinds, we are happy to report several significant policy victories for Nebraska Cattlemen (NC). These wins continue to build upon existing property tax relief, secured investments for rural Nebraska and began the process of reforming Nebraska’s education funding model. The work is not done, and we look forward to seeing what the next session brings. Nebraska Cattlemen had three priority bills this session, which were all amended into the property tax package known as LB243 introduced by Sen. Tom Briese. Property tax reform remains the highest priority for NC members. This legislation continues to build upon existing relief. It adds $990 million to the Property Tax Credit Fund by the taxable year 2030 and adds a percentage increase equal to the percentage increase in the total assessed value of all real property in the state. The bill also removes the 5 percent cap on the allowable growth rate for the Property Tax Incentive Credit Act and adds $75 million to the fund in 2029. It will place a 3 percent spending cap on Nebraska’s K-12 school districts. LB243 eliminates the ability for community colleges to levy property taxes starting in fiscal year 2024-2025. Finally, it will increase the property tax refund interest rate from 9 percent to 14 percent. As we look toward the second half of the 108th Legislature, we will continue to advocate for property tax reform. Additionally, LB583, introduced by Sen. Rita Sanders, is the starting point toward education funding reform. This legislation invests funds by providing $1,500 per student in foundation aid within the TEEOSA formula. It also delivers on a long-time promise of the state to fund special education at 80 percent. Nebraska Cattlemen also was a proponent of the changes that happened to the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Act. The changes expanded the eligibility requirements for the program by increasing the maximum net worth for beginning farmers to $750,000, removing pensions and other retirement funds from the net worth calculation and removing the 10-acre minimum acreage requirement in the definition of a farm. The passage of this bill included an increase in annual credits to $2 million per year. We attribute our success largely to the teamwork involved in getting legislation across the finish line. A big thank you to our membership for your involvement through testimony, calls, texts, emails or coming to the capitol. In total, we had nine members testify on behalf of Nebraska Cattlemen in various committees, and NC policy was represented 42 separate times at legislative committee hearings. Senators introduced more than 850 separate bills and resolutions this session. Nebraska Cattlemen was actively involved with and tracked 101 bills of interest to our membership. Of the measures that NC supported, 13 pieces of legislation received Gov. Jim Pillen’s signature, officially making them law. It was a marathon to get all items of importance to NC members across the finish line. It is important to remember that as we look toward the next session, many bills are still waiting for debate on the floor or in committee. We look forward to working with stakeholders, members, outside organizations and senators over the interim to hit the ground running for next year’s second session of the 108th Legislature. Editor’s Note: Jacy Schafer is the former NC Vice President of Government Affairs, having left this position in July just prior to press time. NC EMAIL US TODAY FOR A FULL BROCHURE BLUERIVERIECP@YAHOO.COM WWW.BLUERIVER-IECP.COM 712-676-3796 IF YOU HAVE A HERD OF 10 OR 500 WE CAN FIT YOUR NEEDS
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