Home inspectors in Nebraska would be required to register with the state under a bill considered March 2 by the Urban Affairs Committee.

Legislative Bill 423, introduced by Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, would require Nebraska home inspectors to register with the Nebraska secretary of state, pay a registration fee and provide a certificate of general liability insurance of not less than $250,000. LB 423 would take effect Jan. 1, 2023, and violations of the bill’s provisions would be a Class IV misdemeanor.

Lathrop said the bill would provide some protection for home buyers from defects that went undiscovered during an inspection.

“While the vast majority of inspections are done in a professional manner and include a thorough inspection and report, there are times when buyers are left with costly repairs due to defects that should have been discovered,” Lathrop said.

Realtor Arla Meyer testified in support of LB 423. She said there currently is no credentialing system in place for home inspectors in Nebraska.

“Currently, anyone can market themselves as a home inspector,” Meyer said. “Registering home inspectors in Nebraska is a step toward providing consumers with another layer of protection when they are likely making the biggest investment of their lives.”

No one appeared at the hearing to testify in opposition, and the committee advanced LB 423 to general file on a 7-0 vote.

The Unicameral Information Office is operated by the Clerk of the Legislature. Find additional coverage at update.legislature.ne.gov.