LB 797 — Increase minimum bidding amount requirements for certain cities and villages

LB797 LB797 2026 LEGISLATURELEGISLATIVE OFBILL NEBRASKA797 ONEApproved HUNDREDby NINTHthe LEGISLATUREGovernor SECONDApril SESSION14, LEGISLATIVE2026 BILL 797 FINAL READING   Introduced by Urban Affairs Committee:

Read  firstA timeBILL JanuaryFOR 07,AN 2026ACT Committee:relating to municipalities;

Urban Affairs A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to municipalities;

Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, -1- LB797 LB797 2026 Section 1.

(3) Except as provided in section 18-412.01, before the city council makes any contract in excess of ninety thirty thousand dollars for enlargement or general improvements, such as water extensions, sewers, public heating systems, bridges, work on streets, or any other work or improvement when the cost of such enlargement or improvement is assessed to the property, an estimate of the cost shall be made by the city -2- LB797 LB797 2026 engineer and submitted to the city council.

In -3- LB797 LB797 2026 case of a public emergency resulting from infectious or contagious diseases, destructive windstorms, floods, snow, war, or an exigency or pressing necessity or unforeseen need calling for immediate action or remedy to prevent a serious loss of, or serious injury or damage to, life, health, or property, estimates of costs and advertising for bids may be waived in the emergency ordinance authorized by section 16-405 when adopted by a three-fourths vote of the city council and entered of record.

-1- LB797 LB797 2026 (7) If, after advertising for bids as provided in subsections (3), (4), and (6) of this section, the city council receives fewer than two bids on a contract or if the bids received by the city council contain a price which exceeds the estimated cost, the mayor and the city council may negotiate a contract in an attempt to complete the proposed enlargement or general improvements at a cost commensurate with the estimate given.

17-568.01 (1) The city engineer in a city of the second class or village engineer shall, when requested by the mayor, city council, or village board of trustees, make estimates of the cost of labor and material which may be done or furnished by contract with the city or village and make all surveys, estimates, and calculations necessary to be made for the establishment of grades, the building of culverts, sewers, electric light systems, waterworks, power plants, public heating systems, -4- LB797 LB797 2026 bridges, curbing, and gutters, the improvement of streets, and the erection and repair of buildings and shall perform such other duties as the city council or village board of trustees may require.

(4) Advertisements for bids shall be required for any contract -5- LB797 LB797 2026 costing over ninety thirty thousand dollars entered into (a) for enlargement or general improvements, such as water extensions, sewers, public heating systems, bridges, work on streets, or any other work or improvement when the cost of such enlargement or improvement is assessed to the property, or (b) for the purchase of equipment used in the construction of such enlargement or general improvements.

In case of a public emergency resulting from infectious or contagious diseases, destructive windstorms, floods, snow, war, or an exigency or pressing necessity or unforeseen need calling for immediate action or remedy to prevent a serious loss of, or serious injury or -6- LB797 LB797 2026 damage to, life, health, or property, estimates of costs and advertising for bids may be waived in the emergency ordinance authorized by section 17-613 when adopted by a three-fourths vote of the city council or village board of trustees and entered of record.

(7) If, after advertising for bids as provided in subsections (3), (4), -2- LB797 LB797 2026 and (6) of this section, the city council or village board of trustees receives fewer than two bids on a contract or if the bids received by the city council or village board of trustees contain a price which exceeds the estimated cost, the mayor and the city council or village board of trustees may negotiate a contract in an attempt to complete the proposed enlargement or general improvements at a cost commensurate with the estimate given.

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