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LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA
ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE
SECOND SESSION
LEGISLATIVE BILL 999
Introduced by Spivey, 13; Ibach, 44.
Read first time January 13, 2026
Committee: Banking, Commerce and Insurance
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to business; to adopt the Business Innovation1
and Startup Commission Act. 2
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,3
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Section 1. (1) Sections 1 to 5 of this act shall be known and may1
be cited as the Business Innovation and Startup Commission Act.2
(2) The purposes of the Business Innovation and Startup Commission3
Act are to: 4
(a) Create the Business Innovation and Startup Commission to provide5
for general planning, coordination, and an operating program to support6
entrepreneurship, startups, and business innovation in Nebraska;7
(b) Provide for grants and other assistance for the purpose of8
expanding access to capital, commercialization, and business development9
services as part of a comprehensive statewide innovation ecosystem; and10
(c) Authorize collaboration with state agencies, political11
subdivisions, educational institutions, and private partners for the12
purpose of strengthening and aligning Nebraska's startup and innovation13
infrastructure. 14
Sec. 2. (1) The Business Innovation and Startup Commission is15
hereby created. 16
(2) The purpose of the commission is to champion business and17
innovation in Nebraska including making recommendations regarding18
policies, programs, and regulatory structures that promote economic19
growth through, but not limited to, business formation and startup20
success, innovation and entrepreneurship, and a comprehensive approach to21
resilient economic systems in Nebraska. 22
(3) The commission shall consist of the following members:23
(a) Each chief executive officer or director of the state innovation24
hubs; 25
(b) One member that is the chief executive officer, founder, or26
principal owner of a business with five million dollars or less in annual27
revenue and operates in a rural area of the state appointed by the28
Governor; 29
(c) One member representing a chamber of commerce appointed by the30
Governor; 31
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(d) One member representing an economic development corporation1
appointed by the Governor; 2
(e) One member representing a Nebraska-based venture capital fund,3
angel investment network, or startup financing organization with4
demonstrated experience investing in early-stage companies appointed by5
the Governor; 6
(f) One member representing a research university or community7
college engaged in applied research, commercialization, or workforce-8
aligned innovation appointed by the Governor; 9
(g) One member representing a manufacturing, agricultural10
technologies, or industry innovation sector critical to Nebraska's11
economy appointed by the Governor; 12
(h) One member representing a community-based or minority-serving13
organization with demonstrated experience supporting underrepresented14
entrepreneurs or small businesses appointed by the Governor;15
(i) One member representing the Department of Economic Development,16
who shall serve as a nonvoting, ex officio member; and17
(j) One member representing the Department of Labor, who shall serve18
as a nonvoting, ex officio member. 19
(4) Appointments shall be made within sixty days after the effective20
date of this act. 21
(5) The members of the commission shall serve for a term of four22
years with a maximum of two terms and shall serve without compensation,23
but may be reimbursed for expenses as provided in sections 81-1174 to24
81-1177. 25
(6) The commission shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson26
from among its members. 27
(7) The commission shall meet at least quarterly and may meet more28
frequently at the call of the chairperson. A majority of the members of29
the commission shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting30
business. 31
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Sec. 3. The Business Innovation and Startup Commission shall:1
(1) Develop, administer, coordinate, and evaluate programs and2
initiatives that support business formation, startup growth, innovation,3
and entrepreneurship in Nebraska; 4
(2) Evaluate barriers to business formation and growth, including5
regulatory, financing, workforce, and infrastructure barriers;6
(3) Examine access to capital for startups and small emerging7
businesses, including debt, equity, seed, and alternative financing8
tools; 9
(4) Study best practices from other states related to innovation10
policy, startup ecosystems, and emerging industries;11
(5) Review and assess existing state programs and policies related12
to economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship in order to13
align state economic development incentives with startup and innovation14
driven enterprises; 15
(6) Make recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or16
administrative changes to the Governor and Legislature to improve17
Nebraska's business innovation environment; 18
(7) Study and implement best practices and strategies from other19
states related to innovation policy, startup ecosystems, and emerging20
industries to promote commercialization of research, technology transfer,21
and high-growth entrepreneurship; 22
(8) Develop and administer grant programs using appropriated funds23
or other available resources to support startup formation, business24
innovation, commercialization, access to capital, and technical25
assistance; 26
(9) Coordinate with state agencies, political subdivisions,27
educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector28
partners to better coordinate a comprehensive statewide business29
innovation and startup ecosystem, including identifying existing30
programs, gaps, and redundancies and recommending strategies to improve31
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alignment and accessibility; and 1
(10) Support regional and sector-based innovation hubs, including2
incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurial support organizations,3
through partnerships, technical assistance, and targeted grants in both4
urban and rural areas. 5
Sec. 4. The Business Innovation and Startup Fund is created. The6
fund shall consist of funds transferred by the Legislature. The Business7
Innovation and Startup Commission shall use the fund for the purpose of8
implementing the Business Innovation and Startup Commission Act. Any9
money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state10
investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the11
Nebraska State Funds Investment Act. 12
Sec. 5. (1) On or before December 1, 2027, and on or before13
December 1 of each year thereafter, the Business Innovation and Startup14
Commission shall submit a report of its activities, findings, and15
recommendations electronically to the Legislature.16
(2) Each report shall include: 17
(a) A summary of the commission's activity during the preceding18
year; 19
(b) An accounting of grant awards and other financial assistance;20
(c) An evaluation of progress toward the development of a21
comprehensive and inclusive business innovation and startup ecosystem;22
(d) Measurable outcomes related to startup formation, business23
growth, access to capital, geographic distribution, and participation by24
underserved or underrepresented communities; and 25
(e) Any recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or budgetary26
changes necessary to improve the effectiveness of the commission's27
programs and mission. 28
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