LB 622 establishes Nebraska's Statewide Housing Assistance Program, using the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to provide direct financial aid like downpayment assistance to low- and very low-income homebuyers. It expands eligible uses of the Trust Fund to include weatherization, energy improvements, and housing education programs, while requiring nonprofits and local groups to receive priority for funding. The bill mandates that at least 30% of annual Trust Fund dollars be allocated to each congressional district and prioritizes projects serving the lowest-income residents in blighted areas or enterprise zones. This program directly affects low-income households seeking homeownership and community organizations administering housing assistance across Nebraska.
LB 459 would have established a Home Weatherization Clearinghouse within Nebraska's Department of Environment and Energy to coordinate weatherization programs. The clearinghouse would serve as a central hub for homeowners, nonprofits, and agencies seeking funding for home weatherization and rehabilitation projects, helping applicants navigate state, local, and federal programs. It would prioritize whole-home rehabilitation projects for funding and limit administrative costs to 10% of program funds. Note: This bill was amended into LB 36 on June 6, 2025, and is no longer active as a standalone measure.
Nebraska's LB 36 establishes the Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Act, requiring producers of covered batteries (excluding medical devices, vehicle batteries, and certain electronics) to join designated battery stewardship organizations by January 1, 2028. These organizations must meet recycling efficiency targets for collected batteries, with penalties for noncompliance. The bill also creates a Home Weatherization Clearinghouse to support energy efficiency programs and includes provisions for mitigating habitat impacts on threatened or endangered species. It modifies water recreation, groundwater allocation, and Game and Parks Commission permit rules but focuses primarily on battery recycling requirements for producers and retailers.
LB 611 updates Nebraska's building and energy codes by adopting the 2021 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC), replacing older versions. It requires all cities, counties, and villages to adopt these updated codes within two years or default to the state code for construction, with exceptions for farm-related projects. The bill also mandates new state buildings meet the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. These changes directly affect local governments, builders, and developers across Nebraska.
LB 450 amends Nebraska's Property Assessed Clean Energy Act to expand how municipalities can finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on properties. It allows cities, counties, or villages to create "clean energy assessment districts" where property owners (including agricultural, commercial, industrial, and single-family residential properties) can pay for upgrades like solar panels, insulation, or backup generators through annual property assessments over the project's lifespan. The bill updates definitions for terms like "energy efficiency improvement" and "grid resiliency improvement" to clarify eligible projects, such as energy-saving windows, smart grid tech, or renewable systems. Note: This bill was amended into LB 288 on June 6, 2025, and is no longer active in its original form.
LB 531 exempts certain affordable housing projects from requiring compliance with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code. Specifically, it prohibits the Department of Economic Development from mandating that new construction or rental conversion projects receiving funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund meet the energy efficiency standards in the code. The bill amends existing law to clarify this exception while maintaining the code's requirement for all other state-funded buildings. It does not change energy standards for non-affordable housing projects or other state construction.
LB 288 creates a new financing mechanism allowing Nebraska municipalities to establish "clean energy assessment districts" that let property owners fund energy efficiency, grid resilience, and renewable energy projects through annual property assessments. It directly affects residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial property owners who choose to participate in these districts, covering costs for projects like solar panels, insulation, smart grid technology, and backup power systems. The bill requires municipalities to define eligible projects and sets repayment terms tied to the project's useful life, with property owners paying back through their property tax bills over time. This replaces previous financing rules under Nebraska's Property Assessed Clean Energy Act and related housing laws.
