Natural Resources Committee
January 21, 2026
Committee Chair: Sen. Tom Brandt | Bills Heard: 5 | Full Transcript (PDF)
Appointment: Confirmation of Doug Zingula as Game and Parks Commissioner
Introduced by: Sen. N/A | Testimony: 0 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral
Game and Parks Commissioner Zingula seeks third term, emphasizes outdoor access and hatchery improvements. Zingula, who has served 8 years on the commission, told the Natural Resources Committee he wants to balance fee affordability with operational needs while expanding fishing and camping opportunities.
Why it matters: Game and Parks fees have become increasingly contentious as state support diminishes. Zingula's approach to balancing accessibility with cost recovery will shape outdoor recreation opportunities for Nebraskans across income levels.
What they're saying: - Zingula: "We're very conscious of our fee structures and making it affordable for families of all income levels...we have to look at it from an economic standpoint and try to find that balance." - Sen. Conrad: Expressed concern about "pricing out access" for low-income Nebraskans and asked about fee-setting philosophy. - Sen. DeKay: Questioned strategy for nonresident turkey permits after 10,000 tags sold in under 2 hours.
By the numbers: 10,000 nonresident turkey tags sold in less than 2 hours; Zingula has served 8 years on the commission.
What's next: No vote was taken on this appointment confirmation hearing.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Raybould, Sen. Conrad, Sen. Brandt Unclear: Sen. DeKay
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Appointment: Confirmation of Garfield Coleman to Nebraska Environmental Trust Board
Introduced by: Sen. N/A | Testimony: 0 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral
Environmental Trust appoints Coleman amid ongoing debate over fund mission. Garfield Coleman, an engineer and risk manager, won committee support for the Nebraska Environmental Trust Board as questions persist about whether lottery-funded grants should support community projects or fill state budget gaps.
Why it matters: The Environmental Trust, funded by Nebraska lottery proceeds, has faced litigation and legislative scrutiny over whether it's straying from its original constitutional purpose. Coleman's appointment comes as the Legislature grapples with how trust funds should be deployed.
What they're saying: - Coleman: Emphasized commitment to "stewardship of public resources" and ensuring funds are "invested wisely and effectively." - Sen. Conrad: Noted "great deal of controversy" over whether trust has "lost its way" and asked directly if funds should support community projects or "fill budgetary holes from fiscal mismanagement."
What's next: No vote was taken on this appointment confirmation hearing.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. DeKay Skeptical: Sen. Conrad
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB759: Department of Water, Energy, and Environment cleanup bill and Perkins County Canal authority
Introduced by: Sen. Tom Brandt | Testimony: 0 proponents, 1 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Cleanup bill updates department structure but raises private property concerns. LB759 aligns Nebraska statutes with the 2025 merger creating the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, but senators pressed the agency on land access authority for the Perkins County Canal Project and questioned commitment to the project amid budget pressures.
Why it matters: The bill grants DWEE broad authority to enter private land for canal surveys without explicit notification requirements, raising property rights concerns. Meanwhile, the Governor's budget proposal diverts millions from Perkins Canal—a project the Legislature has repeatedly said cannot be touched.
What they're saying: - Sen. Raybould: Suggested adding "with notification" language to clarify landowners would be informed before state access. - Sen. Conrad: Questioned whether existing surveyor statutes suffice and whether the state is forecasting "significant eminent domain battles" with landowners. - Director Bradley: Confirmed the department has had "broad support" from most landowners but encountered "a couple" seeking excessive fees. Stated notification would be standard practice.
By the numbers: Two written comments received (one proponent, one opponent); no public testimony.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Brandt indicated the department will add notification language to the bill.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Raybould Skeptical: Sen. Conrad Unclear: Sen. Clouse, Sen. Juarez
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB761: Fee adjustments for water well registration, livestock facility permitting, hazardous waste, and NPDES permits
Introduced by: Sen. Tom Brandt | Testimony: 0 proponents, 3 opponents, 2 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Water, Energy agency seeks $1.7M in new fees after 20-year freeze on well registration charges. The Department of Water, Energy, and Environment proposed fee increases across four programs, including raising well registration from $40 to $200—the first increase since 2003—drawing criticism from agricultural producers and municipalities over the magnitude and timing of increases.
Why it matters: The fee increases would shift approximately $1.7 million annually from the General Fund to users, but the sharp jumps—particularly the 500% well registration increase—raise concerns about affordability during an economic downturn. Municipalities worry new NPDES discharge fees are open-ended and could create unfunded mandates.
What they're saying: - Director Bradley: "These aren't fees that we're setting so that they're beyond the scope of what would be needed to support the people that do this work." - Lash Chaffin, League of Municipalities: Requested "guardrails" on NPDES fees and noted this creates "a double unfunded mandate." - Seth Mitchell, Pork Producers: Expressed concern about "sticker shock" from doubling cost-recovery percentage and requested "predictable" fee structure. - Sen. Raybould: Suggested graduated increases would be "less painful" than this "sharp increase that people can't anticipate and budget for."
By the numbers: Well registration fee increase: $40 to $200 (first change since 2003); livestock facility cost recovery: 20% to 40%; expected new revenue: $1.7 million annually; zero proponent comments, two opponent comments received.
What's next: No vote was taken.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Hughes, Sen. Moser, Sen. Juarez Skeptical: Sen. Raybould Opposed: Sen. Conrad Unclear: Sen. Clouse
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB760: Transfer of swimming pool, mobile home park, and recreation camp regulation from state to local governments
Introduced by: Sen. Tom Brandt | Testimony: 0 proponents, 0 opponents, 3 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Bill to shift pool regulation to local governments faces pushback over public health protections. LB760 would transfer swimming pool, mobile home park, and recreation camp oversight from the state to local governments, but environmental health professionals warned the shift could eliminate uniform safety standards that have prevented outbreaks for 50 years.
Why it matters: Nebraska's statewide pool standards and operator certification, adopted in 1970 and 2009, have protected public health through routine inspections and preventative oversight. Shifting to fragmented local control could create gaps in rural areas and inconsistent protections across the state, particularly concerning given documented risks of Legionella, Cryptosporidium, and other pool-related illnesses.
What they're saying: - Scott Holmes, retired health official: "If pool operating standards and pool operator certification were eliminated...outbreaks would almost surely increase." - Jeremy Eschliman, local health director: Requested clear statutory authority for health departments to implement programs across multi-county districts rather than requiring "separate agreements for every county and municipality." - Brock Hanisch, environmental health specialist: Warned that replacing uniform standards with "discretionary local approach" means "public health protections may no longer be applied consistently or at all." - Sen. Conrad: Asked about gaps in rural areas outside city jurisdiction.
By the numbers: Approximately 1,500 public swimming pools in Nebraska; about 950 already inspected by local governments; Two Rivers Public Health serves 45 municipalities across seven counties.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Brandt indicated openness to amendments clarifying local health department authority and retaining statewide standards.
Committee sentiment: Skeptical: Sen. Conrad Unclear: Sen. Moser, Sen. Clouse, Sen. DeKay, Sen. Juarez
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
The committee heard two appointment confirmations (Doug Zingula for Game and Parks Commissioner and Garfield Coleman for Nebraska Environmental Trust Board) and three bills from Sen. Brandt on behalf of the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. The hearing lasted approximately 5 hours. Sen. Brandt introduced himself as departing in 50 days. Sen. Moser ran portions of the committee when Brandt introduced bills. The committee received written testimony and online comments on bills as noted in individual bill summaries. At the conclusion of the hearing, Sen. Brandt requested committee members remain for a brief announcement.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.