A bill (LB 755) is currently on the table in the Nebraska State Legislature for capital improvement projects at the three colleges in the Nebraska State College System.

The bill includes a $21.5 million project at Wayne State College for the renovation of Benthack Hall and construction of the Applied Technology Center, which would be adjoined to Gardner Hall.

LB 755 was introduced on Jan. 6 by Sen. Dan Watermeier from District 1 (Syracuse, Neb.) and referred to the appropriations committee on Jan. 7. A hearing has not yet been scheduled to discuss the bill.

Sen. Watermeier sits on the appropriations committee.

“The state college board is hopeful that Sen. Watermeier will achieve funding success to insure the needs of our students are met,” NSCS Board Trustee Bob Engels said.

According to section 3 of the bill, it is the intent of the legislature to appropriate $7 million for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, $11.5 million for 2017-2018 and $3 million for the 2018-2019 to complete the renovations.