NICB Legislative Update From Zulkoski Weber

Pub. 1 2022 Issue 3

Published September 7, 2022

This story appears in
The Nebraska Independent Banker Magazine
Pub 1 2022 Issue 1

By The NICB

It has been a productive year of work with the Nebraska Legislature for the Nebraska Independent Community Bankers. Once-in-a-generation legislation was passed to lower corporate and personal income taxes and allocate federal stimulus funding for housing, childcare, and community development. For all the progress made, this session should also be noted for the harmful legislation that did not pass – a bill to change bank franchise taxes and a constitutional amendment to move Nebraska to a consumption tax system. This session was also marked by the addition of one of NICB’s own members to the Legislature with the appointment of Senator Mike Jacobson. During the general election on November 8, Nebraskans will elect a new governor and at least sixteen new senators for the 2023 session. The work will be ongoing to build new community bank champions and educate policymakers.

During the general election on November 8, Nebraskans will elect a new governor and at least sixteen new senators for the 2023 session. The work will be ongoing to build new community bank champions and educate policymakers.

2023 Legislative Candidates

(Primary Winner in Bold)
LD2: Rob Clements (R) – Elmwood (Incumbent) Sarah Slattery (D) – Plattsmouth
LD4: Brad von Gillern (R) – Elkhorn, Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek (I) – Omaha
LD6: Machaela Cavanaugh (D) – Omaha (Incumbent) Christian Mirch (R) – Omaha
LD8: Megan Hunt (D) – Omaha (Incumbent) Marilyn Arant Asher (R) – Omaha
LD10: Wendy DeBoer (D) – Bennington (Incumbent) Lou Ann Goding (R) – Omaha
LD12: Merv Riepe (R) – Ralston Robin Richards (D) – Ralston
LD14: John Arch (R) – La Vista (Incumbent) [likely Speaker], Cori Villegas (D) – Papillion
LD16: Ben Hansen (R) – Blair (Incumbent) Connie Petersen (R) – Hoskins
LD18: Michael Young (D) – Omaha Christy Armendariz (R) – Omaha
LD20: Stu Dornan (R) – Omaha John Fredrickson (D) – Omaha
LD22: Mike Moser (R) – Columbus (Incumbent) Roy Zach – Genoa
LD24: Patrick Hotovy (R) – York Jana Hughes (R) – Seward
LD26: Russ Barger (R) – Lincoln George Dungan (D) – Lincoln
LD28: Jane Raybould (D) – Lincoln Roy Christensen (R) – Lincoln
LD30: Myron Dorn (R) – Adams (Incumbent)
LD31: Kathleen Kauth (R) – Omaha (Appointed Incumbent) (ballot will be set based on Sept. 1 signature collection)
LD32: Tom Brandt (R) – Plymouth (Incumbent)
LD34: Loren Lippincott (R) – Central City Michael Reimers (R) – Central City
LD36: Rick Holdcroft (R) – Bellevue Angie Lauritsen (D) – Gretna
LD38: Dave Murman (R) – Glenvil (Incumbent) Tyler Cappel (L) – Arapahoe
LD40: Barry DeKay (R) – Niobrara Keith Kube (R) – Crofton
LD42: Chris Bruns (R) – North Platte, Mike Jacobson (R) – North Platte (Appointed Incumbent)
LD44: Teresa Ibach (R) – Sumner (opponent dropped out)
LD46: Danielle Conrad (D) – Lincoln James Michael Bowers (D) – Lincoln
LD48: Brian Hardin (R) – Gering Don Lease II R) – Bridgeport

Interim Studies

Since Governor Pete Ricketts announced there will be no special session on abortion this year; interim studies will have lawmakers’ full attention this fall. Interim studies provide an opportunity to examine any topic of interest while the legislature is not in session. While not every study will receive attention, many will be used to craft legislation for next year’s session.

Interim studies have begun to have scheduled hearings, where legislators invite experts and stakeholders to inform on the topic. We’ll keep an eye on these interim hearings and let you know when your voice needs to be at the table so that senators have the full picture of how policies will affect you, the banking industry, and your community.

Below is a list of the studies we have earmarked for NICB. As of this writing, no hearings have been scheduled.

LR333 (McDonnell) Interim study to examine modernization of Nebraska’s tax system with the goal of facilitating economic growth
LR364 (Wishart) Interim study to explore the establishment of an insurtech regulatory sandbox
LR371 (Williams) Interim study to review the requirements regarding occupational regulation as administered by the Department of Banking and Finance
LR383 (Erdman) Interim study to explore best practices for the implementation of a consumption tax in Nebraska
LR416 (Lindstrom) Interim study to examine the risks and potential adverse economic consequences to the State of Nebraska and its residents, from the transfer of business interests from one generation to the next
LR418 (Bostar) Interim study to examine the sales tax system in Nebraska concerning exemptions provided to various industries
LR422 (Wayne) Interim study to examine issues related to the Middle-Income Workforce Housing Investment Act