NE LB856

Imposes a 5% excise tax beginning January 1, 2027 on gross receipts of gas stations, convenience stores, and package liquor stores selling alcohol, tobacco, or cigarettes in HUD-designated qualified census tracts

Creates the Community Reinvestment Fund to distribute tax revenue as grants for federally qualified health centers (30%), homeless/re-entry services (25%), childcare (15%), community development (15%), and healthy food access (15%)

Requires at least 70% of excise tax collected from a qualified census tract to be awarded as grants within that same tract, with up to 30% poolable across adjacent tracts

Mandates annual community reinvestment reports from covered businesses by April 1, 2028, with the Department of Economic Development publishing performance ratings (Outstanding, Satisfactory, Needs to Improve, or Noncompliance)

Establishes penalties of up to $10,000 per location for first noncompliance violations and up to $50,000 for subsequent violations, while prohibiting businesses from advertising the excise tax as a product surcharge