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Proposal would require public notice before political subdivisions sell or buy real property
Summary
LB 9‑64 (AM 1952) would require political subdivisions to list sales, leases or purchases over $20,000 on a regular meeting agenda and publish key transactional details at least 10 days before execution; supporters said the change increases fiscal transparency, while utilities warned it could add operational burdens.
Staff for Senator Bostar introduced LB 9‑64 and an amendment (AM 1952) to establish the Nebraska Public Property Disclosure Act. Under the amendment, a political subdivision must list any sale, lease or purchase of real property greater than $20,000 on a public meeting agenda and publish advance public notice at least 10 days before the action, including a legal description, market value, proposed price/terms and parties involved.
Supporters — including the Nebraska Public Power District, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, the Nebraska Association of County Officials and local county representatives — said the amendment narrows the bill’s reach (exempting certain easements and federally regulated infrastructure projects), addresses concerns about small easement transactions, and balances transparency with operability.
Omaha Public Power District opposed the bill as drafted. OPPD’s manager of real property and land management said the requirement to publish names and detailed negotiated terms 10 days before a transaction could jeopardize sensitive negotiations, complicate discreet land assembly and delay infrastructure projects; he argued the mandatory public timeline and a 60‑day close window in earlier drafts were commercially unrealistic. The sponsor’s office and the amendment sponsor clarified that the amendment removes the 60‑day close requirement and the committee accepted language limiting required public hearings while preserving agenda disclosure and the 10‑day notice requirement.
Senator Bostar’s staff and proponents said they will continue to work with utilities and counties on technical language and narrow exemptions. The committee closed testimony on the amended bill and recorded online comments (1 proponent, two opponents for that hearing), and further drafting was anticipated.
