Lots of Work Ahead of Legislators
January 21, marked the deadline for new bill introduction. Exactly 428 bills have been introduced this session - not including resolutions and constitutional amendments. This is in addition to more than 290 bills carried over from last year. Senators spent considerable time this week debating the state's death penalty.
Senators also gave first-round approval to LB552, which would adopt the Nebraska Construction Prompt Pay Act to address delinquent payments to contractors by requiring that payments be made within 45 days of a request.
Introduced Last Week - Taxing Services
Sales tax would be applied to the cost of services performed in Nebraska under a bill introduced on January 21. LB1066 by Senator Cap Dierks of Ewing would impact approximately 60 services not currently subject to the tax.
This would include carpentry; roof, shingle and glass repair; excavating and grading; painting, papering and interior decorating; and wood preparation.
The Legislature took steps in 2002 and 2003 to significantly broaden the sales tax to include more services. An analysis conducted in late 2009 by the Legislature's Revenue Committee staff found that Nebraska already "taxes numerically more services than most states."
Our thanks to Nebraska Chamber of Commerce for giving us permission to use their news information.
Paula Siewert