Natural Resources Committee
January 23, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Tom Brandt | Bills Heard: 3 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB38: Modernize the Geologists Regulation Act
Introduced by: Sen. Mike Jacobson | Testimony: 1 proponents, 0 opponents, 2 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Sen. Jacobson's bill modernizes Nebraska's 40-year-old geologist licensing rules with minimal controversy. LB38 reduces required experience from five to four years, adds voluntary pathways for academics, and allows non-licensed geologists on the state board—changes that align Nebraska with national standards. Why it matters: The state has roughly 300 licensed geologists and 60-65 firms employing them. Streamlining entry barriers could expand the professional pool while maintaining public safety standards. What they're saying: The Nebraska Board of Geologists called it a straightforward modernization with no significant barriers to entry. Sen. Jacobson emphasized it's a "clean-up bill" addressing outdated language around computer-based testing and eliminating requirements like printing rosters. What's next: No vote was taken. The bill had zero written comments for or against, with two neutral submissions. Jacobson asked the committee to consider executive action to move it to the floor quickly.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Raybould
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB91: Clarify electric service area return procedures
Introduced by: Sen. Barry DeKay | Testimony: 1 proponents, 0 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
DeKay's narrow bill removes two words from statute to prevent power districts from losing infrastructure investments. LB91 eliminates "without cost" from the procedure for municipalities reclaiming electric systems, ensuring they pay fair market value instead. Why it matters: Public power districts invest millions upgrading infrastructure in small towns. The bill protects against a scenario where a municipality could theoretically reclaim a modernized system decades later without compensation—though it's happened only once since 1963. What they're saying: The Rural Electric Association used a truck analogy: a village sold a 1963 truck to a PPD; after replacements, the PPD now owns a $350,000 2025 truck. The bill prevents free reclamation. The League of Municipalities remained neutral, noting the statute is narrow and rarely invoked; most cities already own their systems. What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. DeKay waived closing and left to introduce a bill in Judiciary. No written comments were submitted for or against.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Juarez, Sen. Moser, Sen. Brandt
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB167: Extend sunset on Nebraska Litter Reduction and Recycling Act
Introduced by: Sen. Stan Clouse | Testimony: 7 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Clouse's bill extends a 46-year-old recycling fund that distributes $2.6-$3.1 million annually to communities across Nebraska. LB167 renews the sunset on the Litter Reduction and Recycling Act, funded by fees on beverage, grocery, and retail businesses. The bill includes an emergency clause ensuring continuity when the current authorization expires. Why it matters: Since 2020, the fund has awarded $16.6 million across 338 grants for education, cleanups, and infrastructure. It's the only dedicated state funding for recycling in many rural communities. Governors have repeatedly swept the fund—$1.2 million under Ricketts, $1.5 million attempted under Pillen—making the sunset renewal politically significant. What they're saying: The Nebraska Recycling Council showed $4.6 million benefited committee members' districts alone. Keep Omaha Beautiful noted the fund covers 20% of its $950,000 budget. The Beverage Association explained the fund originated in 1979 as a compromise after voters rejected a bottle deposit mandate. Sen. Raybould shared that Lincoln stores recycle 275 tons of cardboard monthly, traded as a commodity. Multiple testifiers emphasized recycling is expensive and difficult without dedicated funding. By the numbers: $3.1 million in fees collected in 2023; $2.6 million in 51 grants awarded in 2024; $2.7 million projected for 2025 distribution. What's next: No vote was taken. Seven proponents testified; no opponents or neutral positions. Sen. Clouse emphasized the emergency clause prevents a lapse in funding authority when the current sunset expires.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Raybould, Sen. Juarez, Sen. Hughes, Sen. Conrad Skeptical: Sen. Moser
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
Committee Chair Sen. Tom Brandt opened with procedural instructions regarding testifier sheets, time limits (five-minute green light system), and written position submission deadlines (8 a.m. on hearing day via nebraskalegislature.gov). Committee members present: Sen. Danielle Conrad, Sen. Jana Hughes, Sen. Barry DeKay, Sen. Margo Juarez, Sen. Jane Raybould, and Sen. Mike Moser. Legal counsel Cyndi Lamm and committee clerk Sally Schultz assisted. Pages: Emma Jones (UNL junior) and Kathryn (UNL junior, environmental studies major). Sen. Jacobson noted he needed to return to Revenue Committee. Sen. DeKay waived closing on LB91 to introduce a bill in Judiciary. No votes were taken on any bills during the hearing.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.