Nebraska lawmakers' compromise puts stamp of approval on 'postcard bill'

LINCOLN — A compromise approved Wednesday night put a stamp of approval on a bill that requires the mass mailing of postcard notices when a property tax increase is proposed.

The “postcard bill” has been hailed by backers as increasing transparency for taxpayers when an increase in property taxes is being considered. But opponents had complained that mailing postcards would be expensive and would be unfair in instances where inflation and growth force a hike.

Under the compromise crafted on Legislative Bill 644, postcard mailings to taxpayers would be required only when proposed growth in property taxes is higher than 2% plus growth in valuation due to new construction. The need for a postcard is based on the amount of property taxes collected. For instance, Sarpy County’s property valuation due to new construction increased about 3% in the most recent year. That means the county would have had to send out a postcard if its property tax request increased by more than 5%.

A notice of the proposed raise, plus notice of a public hearing on the request, would also have to be published in a county newspaper under the Property Tax Request Act.

The “2% plus growth” language was modeled after a proposal, backed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, that would have limited increases in property taxes by 3% plus growth. But that proposal died in the face of a filibuster.

As originally drafted, LB 644, introduced by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, would have required postcards to be sent when any increase in property taxes was proposed. That led to complaints that mailing postcards could cost $26,000 in Sarpy County, and upward of $500,000 in Douglas County.

Hansen said the compromise removed objections by cities, counties and school districts.

LB 644 was patterned after a Utah law that requires taxing entities to inform taxpayers, via a postcard and on a website, when an increase in property taxes is being proposed. Hansen and other advocates said that taxpayers are often unaware of proposed tax increases, and, as a result, there’s little input given to governmental bodies.

The bill advanced to final reading on a voice vote.