By Jordan Rasmussen, former staff member
Nebraskans - your help is needed to advance two bills that will benefit rural Nebraska. Sen. Carol Blood has reintroduced the Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit bill (LB 5), and Sen. Mark Kolterman has introduced LB 28 to address issues with adverse possession. Hearings for both bills are scheduled this week.
Both LB 5 and LB 28 were introduced at the request of Center for Rural Affairs supporters. Please, help us amplify the rural support for these policies. We ask you to consider showing your support by testifying in person during the hearing, submitting a letter or email of support, or by connecting with us on Facebook and Twitter.
LB 5 - Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit
The Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit, LB 5, would provide an additional 1 percent income tax credit incentive for property owners who rent to qualified beginning veteran farmers. This bill would encourage veterans and their families to return to rural communities across Nebraska by helping them access farmland. There are many barriers to starting a career in agriculture, and this bill would honor our veterans’ service by easing their path into another important career field. Learn more here.
Members of the Revenue Committee will hold a hearing on LB 5 on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at 1:30 p.m., in Room 1524 at the state Capitol.
If you would like to send a letter in support of LB 5, please email it to Oliver VanDervoot in Sen. Blood's office at [email protected] by Tuesday, Jan. 22. Be sure to share your support with us online by using #VetsThriveWithLB5.
LB 28 - Adverse Possession
LB 28 is a bill to authorize damages for taxes paid on property lost through adverse possession. Adverse possession is a centuries-old legal principle that can result in taxpayers losing all or part of their land. Learn more here.
The bill would modify this principle to better meet the needs of today’s Nebraskans. It allows a property owner who in good faith pays the taxes due on his or her property to be compensated for those payments if their land is lost to a claim of adverse possession. The intent of this bill is to ensure fairness and justice under Nebraska law.
Members of the Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on LB 28 on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at 1:30 p.m., in the Warner Chamber at the state Capitol.
If you would like to send a letter in support of LB 28, please email it to Katie Quintero in Sen. Kolterman's office at [email protected] by Wednesday, Jan. 23.
Your voice
If you are interested in writing a letter or testifying in support of one or both bills, I am available to assist you. I am happy to help draft and review your letters and testimony, or prepare you for a hearing. Just send us an email at [email protected].
