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NebraskaLB133109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessionslegislature

Provide authority for animal control officers to enforce state or local animal control laws and provide immunity

Sponsored By: Rick Holdcroft

Signed by Governor

Judiciary Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Animal ownership bans after cruelty convictions

If you are convicted of certain animal-cruelty crimes, the court orders you not to own, possess, or live with any animal. Felonies carry a 5 to 15‑year ban; certain misdemeanors can bring a ban up to 5 years. Violating the order is a crime, and animals involved can be seized. A licensed physician’s written note can allow an exception when an animal is essential to your health.

Court process for seized animals

After an animal is seized, the county attorney must ask the court for a hearing within ten business days. The court can forfeit the animal and order adoption through a licensed humane society, donation to a shelter, humane destruction, or other placement. A vet or the court can order humane euthanasia when needed. The court can set conditions to return animals, like reducing numbers or getting veterinary care. Courts also decide what happens to seized equipment tied to violations. These state rules do not override animal rules in metropolitan or primary-class cities.

Ongoing care costs for seized animals

If your animal is seized, the court can make you post a bond or pay care costs in 30-day blocks. The first payment is due by the 10th day after the hearing, and you must keep paying each month. If you appeal within 10 days, you must also post and renew a 30-day care bond during the appeal. If payments lapse or the bond runs out, the animal is forfeited. If you are found not guilty, any money left after actual costs is returned.

Stronger animal control enforcement and immunity

Local governments can name animal control officers to enforce animal laws. Officers who suspect abandonment or cruelty must investigate and can issue a citation instead of arrest. They can seek a warrant and enter private property with law enforcement to inspect, care for, or impound animals. Officers are not liable for property damage unless they are negligent.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rick Holdcroft

    legislature

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 155 • No: 9

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 9

legislature vote • 5/14/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 42 • No: 7

legislature vote • 4/9/2025

Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 9

legislature vote • 4/9/2025

Vote

Yes: 33 • No: 2 • Other: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on May 20, 2025

    5/21/2025legislature

  2. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    5/14/2025legislature

  3. Passed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 42-7*-0

    5/14/2025legislature

  4. President/Speaker signed

    5/14/2025legislature

  5. Presented to Governor on May 14, 2025

    5/14/2025legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    4/29/2025legislature

  7. Enrollment and Review ER47 adopted

    4/24/2025legislature

  8. McKinney AM1116 withdrawn

    4/24/2025legislature

  9. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    4/24/2025legislature

  10. Placed on Select File with ER47

    4/22/2025legislature

  11. Enrollment and Review ER47 filed

    4/22/2025legislature

  12. McKinney AM1116 to AM251 filed

    4/22/2025legislature

  13. Judiciary AM251 adopted

    4/9/2025legislature

  14. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    4/9/2025legislature

  15. Speaker priority bill

    3/17/2025legislature

  16. Placed on General File with AM251

    2/27/2025legislature

  17. Judiciary AM251 filed

    2/27/2025legislature

  18. Referred to Judiciary Committee

    1/15/2025legislature

  19. Notice of hearing for January 22, 2025

    1/15/2025legislature

  20. Date of introduction

    1/13/2025legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    5/21/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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