State Legislation

Nebraska Wildlife Federation works to educate Nebraska lawmakers about important fish and wildlife issues in Nebraska. We also educate Nebraskans about the impacts of the decisions made in our State Capitol on the fish, wildlife and wild places they love.

The 2010 legislative session was a mixed bag for fish and wildlife. We helped defeat legislation that would have gutted Nebraska's in-stream flow law, and turned back an effort to put a taxpayer-funded bounty on killing deer. While the Legislature made it easier to build wind farms to export the power, it refused to push Nebraska utilities to pursue conservation and renewable energy.

For more insight, see our 2-page summary of the 2010 Legislature., which includes information on interim studies the legislators will be looking at this year.

To see the positions our State Senators took on important legislation, click here. 

2010 Federation Priority Legislation

The Nebraska Legislature adjourned April 14. At that time, all bills which had not been approved on final reading died automatically.

River Flows: We oppose LB 438, introduced last year, that would have eliminated the ability of the Game & Parks Commission or a Natural Resource District to apply for an in-stream flow water right to protect river flows needed for fish, wildlife or recreation in much of Nebraska. The bill would also have made it more difficult to acquire water rights needed to implement the Platte River Recovery Program.

Held in Natural Resources Committee

Killed by Natural Resources Committee

Held in Natural Resources Committee

Deer Management: We opposed the original LB 836, which would have allowed landowners to shoot deer without regard to hunting seasons, bag limits or permits, and would even put in place a bounty on deer through a $25 per head tax credit paid by Nebraska taxpayers. The bill was revised to give Game & Parks more flexibility to extend hunting seasons in areas where deer are causing extensive damage, although it allows landowners in those areas to obtain an unlimited number of antlerless deer permits. An amendment to the bill adopted March 17 allows hunting within 100 yards of an inhabited dwelling or feedlot with a bow or muzzleloader, but maintains the current 200 yard policy for rifle hunters. A separate amendment puts into statute the current Game & Parks administrative process that allows landowners to kill mountain lions that are threatening people or livestock. An amendment by Sen. Hansen that would have raised that to 440 yards, making it difficult to use many smaller Wildlife Management Areas and private land, was defeated. 

Approved on final reading March 30

Signed by the Governor April 5

Passed on final reading April 9

Signed by the Governor April 12

River Funding: LB 689 will eliminate a future transfer of corn check-off funds to the Water Resources Cash Fund, scheduled to begin in 2013. The bill will take $7.5 million per year from the Water Resources fund, which is used to buy out water rights and take other actions needed to reduce water use in the Platte and Republican river basins.

Signed by the Governor March 17

Recycling: LB 1099 would have allowed Omaha to set up a voluntary fee-for-service curbside recycling program.

Hearing February 9.

Held in Urban Affairs Committee

Integrated Watershed Plans: LB 764 will allow Integrated Management Plans to be developed in watersheds before they are declared fully appropriated.

Signed by the Governor

March 17

Republican River: LB 1057 will create a 22-member Republican River Basin Water Sustainability Task Force, but with only one representative from Game & Parks but no other representatives of fishing or recreation in the basin.

Hearing February 5.

Approved on final reading March 30

Signed by the Governor April 6

Conservation Easements: LB 520 would have established a state tax credit for the donation of a conservation easement.

Hearing in 2009

Held in Revenue Committee

Weatherization: LB 1098 would have allowed communities to establish Energy Finance Districts to help residents weatherize their homes.

Hearing February 9.

Held in Urban Affairs Committee

Signed by the Governor April 1

Energy Conservation: LB 978 requires that in purchasing,  state agencies choose Energy Star certified appliances to conserve energy and reduce state spending on energy.

Approved on final reading April 9

Signed by the Governor April 13

Energy Planning: LB 997 requires cities and counties to include an energy component in future comprehensive plans.

Approved on final reading April 9

Signed by the Governor April 13

Recreation Trails: LB 1010 puts in place new procedures that Natural Resource Districts must follow before using eminent domain to take private property for use as a recreation trail, including a two-thirds vote of the NRD board.

Approved on final reading April 8

Signed by the Governor April 13