Revenue committee hears LB 458 to speed housing permits, expand ADUs and shorten tax-cert redemption

Senator Elliot Bostar, sponsor of Legislative Bill 458, told the Revenue Committee that the bill would streamline permitting and zoning to increase the supply of housing across Nebraska and speed the return of vacant, tax‑delinquent homes to productive use. "LB 458 is aimed at removing bureaucratic bottlenecks that are restricting the total supply of homes available to Nebraska families," Senator Elliot Bostar said during his opening remarks.

The bill combines three principal changes: a permitting timeliness provision that requires permitting authorities to approve, conditionally approve, or deny permits within 60 days (after which a permit would be automatically approved); a “By Right Housing Development” framework that allows duplexes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) where the proposal complies with existing zoning standards; and amendments to the tax‑certificate and land‑bank process that shorten the redemption period for vacant, abandoned properties and alter notice and administrative‑fee procedures.

Supporters told the committee they see regulatory reform as a necessary tool to increase housing stock and affordability. Nicole Fox of the Platt Institute said the bill’s regulatory sections address what her group found when touring Nebraska communities: zoning and permitting can restrict housing supply. "When local land use restrictions and regulations interfere with the ability to meet significant urgent housing needs, we feel a proposal such as LB 458 is reasonable," Fox said.

Developers and housing advocates echoed that point. Fred Hoppe, who represents multiple homebuilder groups, told senators that permitting timelines vary widely and that…