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LB 459

Establish the Home Weatherization Clearinghouse within the Department of Environment and Energy

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Danielle Conrad

Create a centralized Home Weatherization Clearinghouse in the Department of Environment and Energy to coordinate funding, prioritize whole-home rehab, and maximize federal dollars.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 459

Summary: Legislative Bill 459 (LB 459) – Home Weatherization Clearinghouse

Overview

LB 459, introduced on January 21, 2025, seeks to improve access to weatherization and home improvement funding in Nebraska by creating the Home Weatherization Clearinghouse within the Department of Environment and Energy (DEE). The Clearinghouse would serve as a central hub for individuals applying for grants, loans, or other programs that fund home weatherization, coordinating across state, local, nonprofit, and federal programs. The bill emphasizes whole-home rehabilitation as its primary focus.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a centralized Clearinghouse within the DEE to streamline application and coordination processes for weatherization funding.
  • Provide a single primary contact point for applicants seeking grants, loans, or programs administered by the department, other government entities, nonprofits, or the federal government.
  • Coordinate among state and local agencies to apply for and administer these funding opportunities.
  • Maximize the receipt of federal dollars for home weatherization projects.
  • Prioritize funding for whole-home rehabilitation projects.

Key Provisions

  • The Clearinghouse is established within the Department of Environment and Energy.
  • Duties include:
    • Acting as the primary contact point for applicants seeking weatherization funding.
    • Coordinating with other state and local agencies administering or applying for grants/loans/programs.
    • Coordinating efforts to maximize federal funding availability for home weatherization.
  • Priority for funding: All grants that accomplish whole-home rehabilitation projects should be given priority to the maximum extent allowed.
  • Administrative cost cap: The administrative costs for public or nonprofit entities administering such grant programs shall not exceed ten percent of program costs, unless a grant program expressly requires otherwise.

Who Is Affected

  • Individuals and households applying for weatherization grants, loans, or related programs.
  • State and local government agencies, nonprofits, and the DEE administering or coordinating weatherization funding.
  • Entities applying for federal and state weatherization dollars.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Introduced: January 21, 2025.
  • Committee: Natural Resources (Chair: Senator Tom Brandt).
  • Hearing: February 6, 2025.
  • Referred to: Natural Resources Committee.
  • Status update: Provisions/portions of LB 459 amended into LB 36 by AM635 on June 6, 2025, indicating that components of LB 459 were folded into LB 36.

Legislative Sponsors

  • Primary Sponsor: Senator Danielle Conrad.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Expected to improve access to weatherization funding by simplifying navigation and coordination among programs.
  • Could increase focus on comprehensive, whole-home rehabilitation, potentially leading to broader housing quality improvements.
  • The 10% cap on administrative costs helps ensure most funds go toward actual weatherization work, barring specific program requirements.
  • Implementation details (e.g., exact processes, definitions of “whole-home rehabilitation,” and how priorities are applied across competing grants) would be clarified through final statutory language and agency guidance.

Note: As of June 2025, the substantive provisions of LB 459 have been amended into LB 36 via AM635.

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

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