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LB 1165

Adopt the Grow the Good Life Act, provide an income tax credit, change provisions relating to the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act, the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, the Nebraska Advantage Act, and the Site and Building Development Act, and create grant programs to help employers retain or attract employees and to assist cities of the first class impacted by private entity closure or downsizing

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Teresa Ibach and 1 co-sponsor

Nebraska consolidates three business incentive programs and creates a new employer grant program to retain/attract workers while modifying existing economic development tax breaks.

Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LB 1165

Legislative bill overview

LB 1165 modifies Nebraska's existing business incentive programs—the Key Employer and Jobs Retention Act, ImagiNE Nebraska Act, and Site and Building Development Act—while establishing a new grant program designed to help employers retain or attract employees. The bill consolidates and potentially streamlines state economic development tools to address workforce needs and business competitiveness.

Why is this important

Economic development incentive programs significantly impact state budgets and tax revenues. How Nebraska structures these incentives affects which businesses receive support, what obligations employers must meet, and whether taxpayer investments generate promised job creation and economic growth. These changes could reshape the state's approach to attracting and retaining employers.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal cost and ROI uncertainty: Expanding or modifying grant programs increases state expenditures; critics may question whether promised job retention/attraction actually materializes or merely subsidizes business decisions that would occur anyway
  • Program consolidation complexity: Merging three existing programs risks creating confusion about eligibility, compliance requirements, and accountability while potentially creating winners and losers among affected businesses
  • Grant program specificity: The bill's framework for the new grant program remains unclear in this summary; stakeholders may disagree on funding levels, eligibility criteria, wage requirements, and geographic prioritization

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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