Interim study to examine land banks under the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act

109th Legislature (2025-2026)

An interim study will review Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act governance, funding, and authority to return tax-delinquent and other properties to productive use.

Notice of hearing for October 16, 2025

Overview

LR 147 is a Legislative Resolution introduced in the Nebraska Legislature during the 109th Legislature, First Session. It requests an interim study by a standing committee to examine the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act and how land banks operate within the state. The bill is a resolution rather than a bill proposing immediate law changes.

Introduced: May 7, 2025

Classification: Resolution

Current status: Notice of hearing for October 16, 2025

Referred to: Executive Board (May 7, 2025) and subsequently to the Urban Affairs Committee (May 19, 2025)

Purpose and scope

Objective: Propose an interim study to assess land banks under the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act.

Focus areas for study:

Changes to provisions on board representation for land banks
Resources (funding or other supports) allocated to land banks to address tax-delinquent properties
The general authority of land banks to facilitate the return of properties to productive use

Key provisions

Designation of the study: The Urban Affairs Committee of the Legislature is designated to conduct the interim study.

Deliverables: At the conclusion of the study, the committee must prepare a report of its findings and recommendations and submit it to the Legislative Council or the full Legislature.

Who/what would be affected

Affected entities and topics include:

Nebraska Municipal Land Banks and their governance (board representation)
Resources and funding mechanisms for land banks addressing tax-delinquent properties
Policies enabling land banks to facilitate the transfer or return of properties to productive ownership or occupancy

Since this is an interim study, there are no immediate statutory changes; rather, potential recommendations could influence future legislation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Interim study framework: The Urban Affairs Committee will conduct the study and report back with findings and recommendations.

Hearing and actions:

Notice of hearing issued for October 16, 2025, indicating formal consideration and discussion of the resolution and its study scope.

Legislative process context:

The bill was introduced and referred to the Executive Board on May 7, 2025, then referred to the Urban Affairs Committee on May 19, 2025.
As a study resolution, its primary function is to guide inquiry rather than enact changes in statute.

Potential impact

The study could yield recommendations for:

Reforming governance structures of land banks (e.g., board composition and representation)
Adjusting financial or in-kind support to land banks managing tax-delinquent properties
Expanding or clarifying authorities to help land banks facilitate property returns to productive use

Any resulting statutory changes would require subsequent legislative action.

This LR 147 summary provides a concise view of the bill’s aim to scrutinize and potentially improve the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act through a targeted interim study.

Bill