How New Legislation in Nebraska and Wyoming Could Transform Agriculture and Environmental Practices

What’s Happening in Nebraska’s 2025 Legislative Session

This year’s Nebraska legislative session has some important bills that could impact agriculture. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them.

Several bills are making their way through the Agriculture committee. These cover topics from livestock branding to honeybees and food products.

Key Bills:

• LB145 (Ibach): This bill targets noxious weeds and proposes a $6 million annual grant program to manage vegetation along natural streams.
• LB246 (DeKay): It aims to define “cultivated-protein food product” under the Nebraska Pure Food Act, categorizing it as adulterated food. Selling such products could be deemed a deceptive trade practice.
• LB658 (Andersen): This bill establishes labeling rules for manufactured-protein products that look like traditional animal products. If not properly identified, these products may be labeled as “misbranded.”
• LB646 (Ibach): A proposed change to the Livestock Brand Act would exempt certain feedlots from branding requirements.
• LB540 (Holdcroft): This would create a Nebraska Apiary Advisory Board, aimed at improving beekeeping practices and supporting sustainable bee populations.
• LB638 (Ibach): This bill focuses on nitrogen reduction, requiring the Department of Natural Resources to seek a $25 million grant for nitrogen-reducing projects.

Environmental Changes:

Another significant bill, LB317 (Brandt), proposes merging the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environment and Energy. This new organization would be called the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, streamlining management of Nebraska’s natural resources.

Perkins County Canal Project:

The Appropriations Committee is reviewing funding for the Perkins County Canal Project through bills LB673 and LB674 (Raybould). These bills propose transferring hundreds of millions from the Project Fund to bolster the Water Sustainability Fund and the General Fund by mid-2025.

Focus on Wyoming Agriculture:

In Wyoming, the Farm Bureau is watching several key issues during their legislative session. Property tax relief for homeowners is a priority, and multiple bills on this topic may surface due to its complexity.

Another hot topic is Eminent Domain. The Farm Bureau emphasizes that while non-agricultural industries need to advance projects, it’s crucial to protect landowners’ rights.

Following the wildfires in 2024, funding for fire resources is urgently needed, especially since many affected were private lands. Wyoming needs to replenish funds allocated for firefighting because those resources are running out. There’s also a proposed bill for “Wildfire Mitigation” to help public utilities maintain insurance coverage.

Lastly, the Farm Bureau supports a new initiative for grants aimed at tackling invasive weeds that threaten lands impacted by fires. Taking action on this front could benefit entire ecosystems, helping grazing lands, wildlife, and water quality.