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 | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska advances bill to distinguish prescribed burns from controlled burning, setting stage for better fire data collection. The Natural Resources Committee heard LB823, which creates statutory definitions separating small-scale controlled burns (debris piles, ditches) from larger prescribed burns (systematic vegetation management on grasslands). The bill requires permits to identify burn type and acreage but maintains local fire chief authority and adds no new fees or bureaucratic hurdles.
Why it matters: Prescribed fire is critical for managing eastern red cedar encroachment and maintaining healthy grasslands, but Nebraska currently treats all land management burning the same. Clear definitions will help researchers and policymakers understand where burns occur and at what scale—data that doesn't currently exist.
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 future data collection. "Having it actually defined in a common place where people can learn will be extremely helpful," testified Bill Hiatt, a burn boss with the Central Platte NRD. - Senators: Sen. DeKay and Sen. Hughes pressed on data collection mechanisms, noting fire departments currently keep paper permits with no centralized tracking. Sen. Raybould asked about safety conditions like wind speed and water supply for larger burns.
By the numbers: 8 online proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral testimony.
What's next: No vote was taken. The hearing closed with Sen. Wordekemper offering to work with the committee on any amendments and expressing willingness to collaborate with the university on future data collection efforts.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Barry DeKay, Sen. Mike Hughes, Sen. Jane Raybould
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB979: Updates to Nebraska game law: enforcement tools, fees, and wildlife trafficking
Introduced by: Sen. Tom Brandt | Testimony: 8 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska Game and Parks seeks broad authority to raise fees, expand investigative powers, and create new felony for wildlife trafficking. The Natural Resources Committee heard LB979, a comprehensive modernization of game law that includes fee increases (primarily 30% caps), expanded investigative tools for combating organized poaching, and a new felony for large-scale wildlife commercialization and trafficking involving $10,000+ in aggregate value over three years.
Why it matters: Game and Parks is 93% funded by user fees, not General Fund appropriations. Most resident fee caps haven't been increased since 2016, and inflation has eroded purchasing power. The bill also addresses a gap in state law: large-scale poaching cases involving interstate commerce are prosecuted federally under the Lacey Act, but intrastate cases lack a felony provision.
What they're saying: - Director McCoy: Fee increases are necessary and deliberate. "Every time we have a fee increase with our commission, there are a lot of questions about whether this is really a budgetary need." The agency does not take increases lightly and the commission typically raises fees incrementally—50 cents or a dollar at a time—to avoid discouraging participation. - Sen. Conrad: Raised concerns about creating a new felony without thorough analysis of existing criminal statutes. "Why wouldn't conspiracy or fraud or things like that cover those kinds of bad actors?" She requested offline discussion about whether existing statutes could accomplish the same purpose. - Sen. Juarez: Worried about the bill's breadth and whether the education fund could be raided during budget deficits. Also sought clarification on what "trafficking" means in the wildlife context.
By the numbers: 8 online proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral testimony. Game and Parks funding: 93% user fees, 7% General Fund.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Brandt invited the committee to a future meeting to address any concerns about the felony provision and noted that fee increases are gradual, not immediate jumps to statutory caps.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Jane Raybould, Sen. Mike Moser Skeptical: Sen. Danielle Conrad Unclear: Sen. Margo Juarez
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
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 testimony was offered on the appointment, and no online comments were submitted. The hearing on the appointment was closed without a vote. Sen. Brandt asked Mattoon about primacy (a federal concept related to state regulatory authority over water conditions) and the current state of Nebraska's oil and gas industry, noting production has declined significantly (approximately 90% decline in the last five years) due to low oil prices (less than $50 per barrel).
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.