Aug 15 2020

2020 Legislative Session in Review

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The 2020 legislative session turned out to be a session unlike any other we’ve seen in recent memory with its conclusion last Thursday, August 13.

It was a busy end to the session, but senators were able to come together and pass many items that are of great importance to our state. The bill that saw the most attention during the final days was LB 1107, which combined property tax relief, business incentives and a transformational jobs project at UNMC.

The Lincoln Chamber joined the Omaha and State Chambers to lobby and work out the issues in LB 1107 for its passage. The ImagiNE Nebraska Act is included within LB 1107 and will modernize our mainline business incentives program, which is a key objective under our State Agenda. We commend Senators for their good efforts toward building consensus on the crucial issues included within LB 1107.

Senator Mark Kolterman was the lead sponsor of the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, the Key Employer and Jobs Act, the Customized Job Training Act and the Nebraska Transformational Projects Act – all of which were included within LB 1107 – we want to especially thank him for his leadership and eternal optimism about the future of our great state. Well done, Senator Kolterman and staff!

The bill passed on a 41-4 vote, showing the success of compromise to get this bill across the finish line. The elements of property tax relief, business incentives and the UNMC transformational project solidly represent pro-growth policies that we continue to advocate for.

Lawmakers approved a legislative resolution on August 12, asserting protections against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Lincoln Senator Patty Pansing Brooks introduced LR 466 to affirm a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Lincoln Chamber has advocated for workplace fairness and a welcoming opportunity as a key component of our State Agenda for many years. We are very pleased to see LR 466 pass with strong support.

LB 153 was also lobbied for by the Chamber and passed on August 12. The bill allows individuals to exclude 50 percent of their military retirement benefit income to the extent included in federal adjusted gross income. The Lincoln Chamber and our Military Affairs Committee (MAC) was very engaged on this issue, as members of our MAC testified on this legislation. We are very pleased to see this legislation enacted on a 46-0 vote.

This session represented the strong coalition that exists between the Lincoln Chamber, the Omaha Chamber and the State Chamber. Our three chambers, along with other business organizations, economic developers, chambers of commerce and lobbying firms continue to work toward pro-growth policies. The strong partnership between our three Chambers will continue to enhance our missions to advance future legislation that helps our businesses and workforce flourish.

Overall, it was a successful session and again, the Lincoln Chamber commends our state senators who came together and found common ground for the good of our state. It is hard to believe, but the 2021 session is just around the corner, four and a half months from now.