PASSED-Nebraska Super Advantage LB895
Creates new incentives for businesses that provide high-paying jobs in Nebraska. To qualify, companies must create at least 75 new jobs and make a $10 million capital investment or create 50 new jobs and make a $100 million capital investment. The bill also includes provisions from LB1033, which expands the Nebraska Rural Advantage Act. State Chamber Supported.

PASSED-Roads Funding LB846
Provides $15 million in roads funding from the state's cash reserve, allowing lawmakers to avoid a fuel tax increase while providing the matching funds needed for approximately $75 million in federal highway funds. The bill also creates a new fuel tax mechanism to stabilize future highway funding. State Chamber Supported.

PASSED-State Fair Park/NU Research LB1116
Facilitates the agreement reached by the Nebraska State Fair Board and other parties to relocate the Nebraska State Fair by 2010. The move will make way for the University of Nebraska's Innovation Park, a public-private development that could create high-paying jobs and speed technological advances. State Chamber Supported.

PASSED-Bonding for Non-Profits LR5CA
Allows voters to amend the state constitution to authorize the use of revenue bonds to develop property for use by non-profit enterprises. Bond funds would be restricted to activities deemed for a public purpose. State Chamber Supported.

DEFEATED- Storm Water Fees LB534
Would have authorized the creation of city and county user fees for property owners with impervious surfaces - hard surfaces such as parking lots and large roofs. According to some estimates, the annual cost of the fee could have exceeded the cost of property taxes for many businesses. State Chamber Opposed.

DEFEATED- Recovery Fee on Electronics LB1061
Would have established a $3 advanced recovery fee on every item of electronic equipment sold in Nebraska. State Chamber Opposed.

DEFEATED- Health Insurance Mandates LB825 and LB969
Would have required most individual or group insurance policies to cover the cost of cochlear implants and prosthetic devices. Both bills would have exceeded the mandatory minimum standards for health insurance required by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), increasing premium costs for employers and employees. State Chamber Opposed.

VETOED- Workers' Comp Expansion LB819
Would have expanded workers' compensation benefits to first responders who incurred job-related mental trauma due to witnessing violent criminal acts - increasing premium costs for employers. Currently under Nebraska's Workers' Compensation Act, mental injuries are compensable only when tied to a physical injury. Although approved by the Legislature, LB819 was vetoed by Governor Dave Heineman. State Chamber Opposed.

DEFEATED- Family Leave Policies LB495
Would have required family leave issues to be subject to collective bargaining. Violations would have been subject to a civil penalty of at least $500 for each offense. State Chamber Opposed.

DEFEATED- Unemployment Compensation LB833
Would have significantly expanded unemployment compensation by increasing benefits to provide the full amount of the state average weekly wage within five years of implementation. This 115%increase would have given Nebraska the highest maximum in the country and cost employers more than $34 million in additional taxes. State Chamber Opposed.

DEFEATED- Mandatory Union Fees LB936
Would have imposed a "fair share" requirement to force nonunion members in the public sector to pay for representation provided by the labor organization. The bill would have jeopardized Nebraska's Right-to-Work constitutional guarantee and set a precedent that could have eventually impacted the private sector. State Chamber Opposed.

PASSED- Gift Cards LB668
Prohibits unredeemed gift cards with more than $100 in value - and without any post-sale finance charges or fees - from being presumed abandoned after three years. Cards with no fees or expiration date remain valid forever, while retailers are freed from stringent record keeping. State Chamber Supported.

PASSED- Deceptive Practices LB781
Outlaws fraudulent business practices, including the use of unsolicited promotional or incentive checks that obligate the endorser to pay for goods and services if cashed or deposited. State Chamber Supported.

DEFEATED- Corporate Farm Ban LB1174
Would have revived Nebraska's corporate farm ban by restricting ownership of agricultural land and operations. The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2007 that the state corporate farm ban violated the federal commerce clause and the Americans with Disabilities Act. State Chamber Opposed.

PASSED-Small Business Tax Relief LB888
Raises the threshold of Nebraska's lower corporate income tax bracket - from $50,000 to $100,000 - so corporations can now earn up to $100,000 per year and still be taxed at the lower rate of 5.58%. Reduces corporations' taxes by up to $1,120 per year. State Chamber Supported.

DEFEATED-Sales Tax Holiday LB708
Would have created a "tax-free" weekend for consumers in August when shopping for back-to-school supplies. While customers would not have had to pay the tax, retailers would have been required to make up the difference to negate the loss of state revenue. State Chamber Opposed.

DEFEATED-Ethanol Tax LB881, LB946, LB1040
Would have imposed an excise tax on ethanol produced in Nebraska at the rate of three cents, two cents, and one cent per gallon, respectively. State Chamber Opposed.

DEFEATED-Tax on Gas, Railroads and Oil LB922
Would have imposed an excise tax on natural gas, railroads and oil in Nebraska. State Chamber Opposed.

DEFEATED-Wire Transfer Excise Tax LB1071
Would have placed a 1% excise tax on all wire transfers of money originating in Nebraska. State Chamber Opposed.