LB1108 from Stan Clouse Faces Public Hearing

Stan Clouse, the District 37 State Senator, brought LB1108 before the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday. It’s a three part measure, revising statutes that affect public entities which generate electricity. The bill would simplify the bid process for the entities to make it easier for them when having to make major repairs or upgrades.  

The following constitutes the reasons for this bill and the purposes which are sought to be accomplished thereby: LB 1108 would amend Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-824.01 to raise the public bid threshold for joint public entities that generate electricity and are formed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act. The current bid threshold for this type of entity is $100,000. This bill would change the bid threshold to mirror the bidding thresholds in Neb. Rev. Stat. 70-637 for public power districts of $750,000 or $1,500,000 depending on the size of the district. 

LB 1108 would also amend Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-824.01 to lower the number of times that joint public entities that generate electricity and are formed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act must publish bid notices in a legal newspaper. Currently, this type of entity must publish bid notices three times. LB 1108 would lower this requirement to one publication in a legal newspaper. Nebraska municipal bidding law typically requires only one such publication. This bill would make Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-824.01 consistent with Neb. Rev. Stat 16-321 and Neb. Rev. Stat. 17- 538.01.

 LB 1108 would also amend Neb. Rev. Stat. 70-637 to lower the number of times public power districts must publish bid notices in a legal newspaper. Current law requires that public power districts publish bid notices in a legal newspaper three times. LB 1108 would lower this requirement to only one such publication.