This bill amends sections 77-1633 and 77-3442 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, to enhance the Property Tax Request Act and property tax levy limits in Nebraska. A significant change requires political subdivisions that wish to increase their property tax requests beyond the allowable growth percentage to hold a joint public hearing between July 14 and July 24. Additionally, these subdivisions must notify affected property taxpayers via postcard and post relevant information on their websites to promote transparency and public engagement regarding proposed tax increases. The bill also introduces new language that limits property tax levies for local governments as specified in subsection (12) of section 77-3442, while providing certain exclusions for school districts related to maximum levy limits.

Furthermore, the bill establishes maximum levy limits for various political subdivisions, including natural resources districts, educational service units, cities, villages, counties, and fire protection districts. It allows natural resources districts in fully appropriated or overappropriated areas to levy taxes for groundwater management activities and permits political subdivisions to exceed their levy limits if their total taxable valuation increases, contingent upon a two-thirds vote from their governing body. The bill clarifies exceptions to the levy limits for judgments, lease-purchase contracts, and bond payments, while repealing outdated or redundant sections of the law. It is designed to take effect immediately upon passage, underscoring the urgency of these legislative changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 77-1633, 77-3442