All Roll Calls
Yes: 301 • No: 21
NebraskaLB1187109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Change provisions of the Livestock Brand Act
Sponsored By: Barry DeKay
Signed by Governor
Agriculture Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.
More ways to prove cattle ownership
Inspectors can accept many proofs of ownership, such as brands, approved electronic IDs, bills of sale, inspection or brand clearances, breed papers, health or genomic certificates, court orders, canceled checks, and more. If you own or possess livestock, you must show a bill of sale or other proof of ownership when asked. The committee applies one standard meaning of “satisfactory evidence of ownership” across the Act.
New rules and fees for feedlots
Registered feedlots pay an annual fee per 1,000 head (or part), set at 25% of the statutory inspection fee. The committee can audit a registered feedlot up to two times a year and review up to 10% of selected lot files. If you apply as an individual, you must list your Social Security number. Cattle may move into a registered feedlot or a backgrounding lot without a brand inspection if they arrive with satisfactory proof of ownership or came from a backgrounding lot that inspected them; otherwise, the cattle must be inspected after arrival and fees apply. The committee can issue simple guidelines to help backgrounding lots avoid or identify commingling. The law defines a backgrounding lot as a grow yard that readies cattle for entry into a registered feedlot.
Rules for dairy heifer facilities and dairies
The law offers voluntary registration for dairy heifer development facilities. The annual registration fee equals 25% times the facility’s maximum capacity authorized under the Livestock Waste Management Act. The committee may audit each registered facility up to twice a year and can rescind registration for violations or noncooperation. Cattle shipped to a qualified dairy skip brand inspection if a three‑copy shipping certificate is completed and filed on time; otherwise, an inspection and fees apply. Cattle from states with a brand agency may move into a registered facility or qualified dairy with that state’s inspection certificate; without it, the cattle must be inspected after arrival and fees apply. Qualified dairies are exempt from brand inspection when they buy or sell cattle. The committee can set rules on registration, shipping certificates, and records. The law defines dairy heifer development facilities and what “registered” means.
Higher brand inspection and travel fees
You pay $0.85 per head for brand inspections from October 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023. Starting July 1, 2023, the committee sets the per‑head fee up to $1.10. If an inspector must travel, you may also pay up to $30 per location, mileage at the state rate, and up to $30 per hour for travel and inspection time. If you request a physical inspection with less than 48 hours’ notice, there is a $50 late‑notice fee.
Electronic cattle inspections and small fees
You can enroll cattle with approved electronic IDs for inspection without an inspector on site. From October 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023, the electronic inspection fee is up to $0.85 per head. From July 1, 2023, the committee sets the fee up to $1.10 per head. Random audits still occur.
Brand renewal capped; late penalties set
The recorded brand renewal fee is capped at $200 and renews your brand for four years. If your brand expires, you can reinstate it within one year by filing the form, paying the renewal and any research fee, and a $5 penalty for each month or part of a month since expiration.
New Brand Committee makeup and districts
Starting August 28, 2026, the committee has seven voting members with set qualifications, plus two nonvoting members. The law lists which counties make up each of five districts for appointments. The committee must employ an executive director approved by the Governor, a chief investigator, and a brand recorder. The term “brand committee” means the Nebraska Brand Committee. Sections 11 and 26 take effect on January 1, 2027, and several older statutes are repealed, including section 54‑192 as of that date.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Barry DeKay
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 1 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 2 • Other: 11
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 1 • Other: 9
legislature vote • 4/10/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 39 • No: 9
legislature vote • 4/8/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 2 • Other: 11
legislature vote • 4/1/2026
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 1 • Other: 9
legislature vote • 4/1/2026
Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 1 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 4/1/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 4 • Other: 9
Actions Timeline
Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026
4/17/2026legislatureApproved by Governor on April 16, 2026
4/17/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/10/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading 39-9*-1
4/10/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER184 adopted
4/8/2026legislatureKauth FA847 withdrawn
4/8/2026legislatureDorn FA963 withdrawn
4/8/2026legislatureHansen FA1043 withdrawn
4/8/2026legislatureJacobson AM3068 adopted
4/8/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
4/8/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
4/8/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER184
4/7/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER184 filed
4/7/2026legislatureJacobson AM3068 filed
4/7/2026legislatureJacobson AM3037 adopted
4/1/2026legislatureDorn FA962 withdrawn
4/1/2026legislatureHansen FA1042 withdrawn
4/1/2026legislatureDeKay AM2503 withdrawn
4/1/2026legislatureAgriculture AM2886 adopted
4/1/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
4/1/2026legislatureJacobson AM3037 to AM2886 filed
3/31/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM2886
3/25/2026legislatureAgriculture AM2886 filed
3/25/2026legislatureStorm name added
3/19/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
4/17/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted