Natural Resources Committee

January 22, 2026

Committee Chair: Sen. Tom Brandt | Bills Heard: 2 | Full Transcript (PDF)

LB823: Modernize Nebraska's open burning statutes

Introduced by: Sen. Dave Wordekemper | Testimony: 8 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral

Nebraska advances bill to clarify prescribed burning rules and improve data collection. LB823 establishes statutory definitions distinguishing controlled burning (small debris piles, ditches) from prescribed burning (large-scale vegetation management), a distinction fire chiefs and landowners say will reduce confusion and enable better tracking of burn activity across the state.

Why it matters: Prescribed fire is critical to managing eastern red cedar encroachment and maintaining healthy grasslands, but Nebraska currently has no centralized data on where burns occur or how often. The bill lays groundwork for future data collection without adding fees or bureaucratic hurdles.

What they're saying: - Proponents: "Prescribed fire is the most effective and cost-efficient way we have for managing Nebraska's grasslands," Sen. Wordekemper said. Fire chiefs and conservation groups emphasized the bill maintains local control while enabling clearer communication. "Having it actually defined in a common place where people can learn will be extremely helpful," said Bill Hiatt, a burn boss with Central Platte NRD. - Opponents: None testified.

By the numbers: Eight online proponents, zero opponents, zero neutral comments.

What's next: The hearing closed with no vote taken. The bill remains in committee.

LB979: Updates to Nebraska game law: enforcement tools, fees, and wildlife trafficking

Introduced by: Sen. Tom Brandt | Testimony: 8 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral

Nebraska Game and Parks seeks broad authority to raise fees, expand enforcement tools, and create new wildlife trafficking felony. LB979 would increase license and permit fee caps by up to 30% (the first major increase since 2016), expand the Game Law Investigative Cash Fund to include modern technology and undercover vehicles, and establish a felony for large-scale illegal wildlife commercialization.

Why it matters: Game and Parks relies on user fees for 93% of its budget and says it has hit statutory caps on resident and nonresident fees due to inflation. The bill also addresses a perceived gap in state law: large-scale poaching cases have been prosecuted federally under the Lacey Act when interstate commerce is involved, but the agency says it lacks tools to prosecute similar in-state cases.

What they're saying: - Proponents: Director Tim McCoy said fee increases are necessary and that the commission "does not take any of these increases lightly." He noted the agency has depredation damage biologists working with landowners and that modern investigations require technology and equipment the current fund cannot purchase. - Opponents: Sen. Conrad expressed concern about fee increases for residents and questioned whether a new felony is necessary, asking whether existing statutes like conspiracy or fraud could address the same conduct. She requested more analysis before advancing the bill.

By the numbers: Eight online proponents, zero opponents, zero neutral comments. Game and Parks is 93% funded by user fees, 7% General Fund. The last major fee increase was in 2016.

What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Brandt invited Conrad to a meeting to discuss the felony provision. The committee will reconvene for executive session.

Session Notes

The committee also heard a reappointment of Steven Mattoon as a member of the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (representing oil and gas industry experience) for a four-year term from September 25, 2025 to September 2029. Mattoon, an attorney from Sidney, previously filled out Sen. Strommen's remaining term. He testified about his 30+ years in the oil and gas industry, the commission's work plugging abandoned wells (429 wells plugged in three years with federal funding), and the appointment of Todd Boesiger as the new director effective January 1, 2026. No proponents, opponents, or neutral testifiers appeared, and no online comments were submitted. The hearing was closed with no vote taken. Sen. Brandt noted that next week the committee will hear a bill on 'primacy' related to the Oil and Gas Commission.

Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.