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LB 619

Provide for cities of the primary class and certain counties to receive grants relating to certain highways

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Beau Ballard

Create $15 million General Fund grants to connect state highways to the Interstate system, awarded to Nebraska’s primary-class cities and their counties.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 619

Summary of Legislative Bill LB 619

Overview

LB 619 is a Nebraska transportation bill introduced on January 22, 2025 by Senator Beau Ballard. The bill, pending a March 4, 2025 hearing before the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, proposes a targeted grant program funded from the General Fund to improve highway connectivity. It includes an emergency clause, allowing immediate effect upon enactment.

Purpose and Intent

  • Create grants to help cities of the primary class and the counties in which those cities are located construct transportation infrastructure that connects a defined state or federal highway to the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (the Interstate system).
  • The Legislature’s intent is to allocate $15 million from the General Fund in FY 2025-26 to support these grants.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 — Grant Program and Administration

    • The Nebraska Department of Transportation (DOT) shall award grants jointly to each city of the primary class and the corresponding county.
    • Grants are for constructing motor vehicle transportation infrastructure that connects a highway (as defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 39-101) with the National Interstate System.
    • The city and the county must annually report to DOT on grant progress until all funds are expended.
    • Any grant funds not used for the intended purpose must be repaid to the DOT; repaid funds are remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the General Fund.

  • Section 2 — Effective Date

    • The bill contains an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon enactment.

  • Funding Amount

    • The Legislature intends to appropriate $15 million from the General Fund in FY2025-26 for this program.

Affected Parties

  • Primary impact: Cities of the primary class (Nebraska’s larger cities) and the counties where those cities are located.
  • Administering agency: Nebraska Department of Transportation (DOT).
  • Fiscal impacts: General Fund appropriation of $15 million; potential repayments would return funds to the General Fund if a project does not use funds as intended.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: January 22, 2025
  • Referred to: Transportation and Telecommunications Committee
  • Hearing: Notice of hearing for March 4, 2025
  • Sponsor: Senator Beau Ballard (primary)

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Infrastructure focus: Aims to strengthen connectivity between existing highways and the Interstate system, potentially improving regional mobility, economic development, and safety.
  • Accountability: Requires annual reporting and includes a repayment mechanism for unused funds, enhancing oversight.
  • Fiscal note: Relies on a $15 million General Fund appropriation for FY2025-26; outcomes depend on project proposals and timely completion.

Sponsor

  • Primary: Senator Beau Ballard

This summary provides the bill’s core purpose, provisions, affected entities, and key procedural milestones to help readers understand LB 619’s scope and potential effects.

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

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