This bill allocates state funding to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 759, which addresses environmental management issues. It directs $830,000 from the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment Cash Fund for two fiscal years to fund Program 334, and an additional $600,000 from livestock and solid waste management funds for Program 513. The money is restricted from being used for employee salaries and per diems, ensuring it supports program operations rather than personnel costs. These appropriations enable the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment to carry out the specific provisions established in the related environmental legislation.
LB 815 imposes a 9.5-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel fuels, effective January 1, 2019, which must be paid by fuel producers, suppliers, and distributors. It changes the rules for refunding motor fuel taxes and eliminates the Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund, which previously provided financial support to ethanol producers. The bill also modifies or removes several provisions from the Ethanol Development Act that governed ethanol-related tax programs. Additionally, it repeals multiple sections of existing law related to fuel taxes and ethanol incentives.
Nebraska Legislative Bill 794 reorganizes the Nebraska Department of Agriculture's responsibilities by amending key statutes. It eliminates the Healthy Soils Task Force and outdated funding mechanisms related to the Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners Administrative Fund, while clarifying the Department's existing duties. The bill specifically repeals outdated sections (2-401 through 2-404) and streamlines provisions in Sections 2-406 and 81-201 of Nebraska law. These changes directly affect the Department of Agriculture, removing specific advisory structures and administrative requirements without creating new programs or funding. The bill focuses on administrative efficiency rather than new policy initiatives.
LB 207 creates a tiered registration fee for alternative fuel vehicles under Nebraska's Motor Vehicle Registration Act. It charges a base $150 fee for most alternative fuel vehicles (reduced to $75 for motorcycles and plug-in hybrids), but imposes a three-times higher fee ($450) for commercially registered vehicles over 7,500 lbs gross weight. The revenue from these fees is directed to the Highway Trust Fund. This bill directly affects commercial fleet operators using alternative fuel vehicles weighing more than 7,500 pounds, modifying their registration costs under existing law.
LB 35 amends a regulation governing exemptions for privately developed renewable energy projects in Nebraska. It changes the reference from "7.4" to "791.4" as it existed on January 1, 2025, for facilities like rooftop solar or small wind installations seeking certain regulatory exemptions. This bill directly affects private developers of small-scale renewable energy generation who rely on these exemptions to avoid specific permitting or grid connection requirements. The change is procedural, updating which specific rule applies but not altering the exemption criteria or eligibility itself. The bill remains in the Natural Resources Committee with no further action taken as of the provided date.
Nebraska's LB 36 establishes the Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Act, requiring producers of covered batteries (excluding medical devices, vehicle batteries, and certain electronics) to join designated battery stewardship organizations by January 1, 2028. These organizations must meet recycling efficiency targets for collected batteries, with penalties for noncompliance. The bill also creates a Home Weatherization Clearinghouse to support energy efficiency programs and includes provisions for mitigating habitat impacts on threatened or endangered species. It modifies water recreation, groundwater allocation, and Game and Parks Commission permit rules but focuses primarily on battery recycling requirements for producers and retailers.
This bill eliminates numerous state advisory groups, boards, and commissions - including the Climate Assessment Response Committee, Women's Health Initiative Advisory Council, and Palliative Care Act - and removes their funding. It also modifies department responsibilities, such as adjusting the Board of Mental Health Practice and the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill specifically terminates the Whiteclay Public Health Emergency Task Force and streamlines overlapping government structures by repealing obsolete provisions. These changes aim to simplify state agency operations by removing redundant entities and consolidating functions.
LB 36A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific funds from the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Fund to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. It provides $51,585 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $109,036 for 2026-27 to support Program 513, directly funding the implementation of Legislative Bill 36. The bill includes spending limits: total salary and per diem costs cannot exceed $30,264 for 2025-26 or $63,554 for 2026-27. This funding mechanism ensures resources are available for the waste reduction program outlined in LB 36, without changing laws or affecting the public directly.
This bill proposes merging Nebraska's Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environment and Energy into a single Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. It creates a new Chief Water Officer position and updates agency powers related to water management, conservation, state game refuges, and low-level radioactive waste disposal. The bill directly affects state agencies and officials responsible for environmental and natural resource management by restructuring their oversight framework. Key changes include consolidating departmental functions under one name and clarifying responsibilities for specific resource areas. The bill focuses on organizational structure rather than new funding or regulatory policies.
This legislative resolution (LR 17) approves the Game and Parks Commission's intent to incorporate Camp Augustine - a 156-acre campground owned by the city of Grand Island - into Nebraska's state park system, specifically alongside Mormon Island State Recreation Area. It does not create new park facilities but authorizes the Commission to pursue this partnership with Grand Island, subject to cost approval through the normal budget process. The resolution requires that any costs for incorporation be covered by separate legislative budget approvals, not existing funds. This is a procedural step required by state law before the Commission can move forward with the partnership.
