# Nebraska LB317: Merge the Department of Natural Resources with the Department of Environment and Energy and change the name to the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, create the position of Chief Water Officer, and provide, change, and eliminate powers and duties relating to water, conservation, state game refuges, and low-level radioactive waste disposal Nebraska LB317, Merge the Department of Natural Resources with the Department of Environment and Energy and change the name to the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, create the position of Chief Water Officer, and provide, change, and eliminate powers and duties relating to water, conservation, state game refuges, and low-level radioactive waste disposal, is a 109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessions legislature bill sponsored by Tom Brandt; status signed, last action 2025-05-06 (Approved by Governor on May 6, 2025); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-17). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB317-109 - As of: 2026-10-17 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Nebraska LB317 - State: Nebraska - Session: 109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessions - Title: Merge the Department of Natural Resources with the Department of Environment and Energy and change the name to the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, create the position of Chief Water Officer, and provide, change, and eliminate powers and duties relating to water, conservation, state game refuges, and low-level radioactive waste disposal - Status: signed - Chamber: legislature - Introduced: 2025-01-16 - Last action: 2025-05-06, Approved by Governor on May 6, 2025 - Sponsor: Tom Brandt - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: Natural Resources Committee - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 16 (409 yes, 220 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 94 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Rebates for clean fuel equipment: benefit, high. You can get a rebate for qualifying clean‑burning motor fuel equipment. The rebate is the lesser of 50% of cost or $4,500 per vehicle for certain vehicle property. For other qualified property, it is the lesser of 50% of cost or $2,500. You cannot claim a rebate for the same vehicle under another s… - Utility energy loans and protections: benefit, high. Utilities can offer loans for energy-saving projects. Repayment terms must be 3 to 20 years. Loans are capped at $15,000 unless federal rules say otherwise. Loans over $10,000 must involve a bank. A payment is in default after 60 days, but utilities cannot cut service just for unpaid loan amounts t… - Funding to replace lead water lines: benefit, high. The state creates a Lead Service Line Cash Fund. Up to 20% can fund Nebraska‑based training programs to build the workforce. The rest funds metro utilities to remove and replace lead service lines, repay loans, map lines, inform residents, and buy equipment and supplies. - State review of drinking water projects: benefit, high. Before an NRD starts a water‑supply project, the Chief Water Officer must approve the plans. If the project involves a public water system, the Director must also approve plans that meet the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Department of Water, Energy, and Environment now runs that Act. - Help for victims of fuel leaks: benefit, medium. The department can pay third‑party claims from the Petroleum Release Remedial Action Fund when the responsible party cannot or will not pay and the claim meets the law. If the department or its agent damages your property while investigating another site, the fund can repay you; if that is not enou… - Irrigation districts get repair grants: benefit, medium. The state creates the Surface Water Irrigation Infrastructure Fund at the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. It transfers $50 million one time from the Cash Reserve Fund. The Chief Water Officer awards grants to irrigation districts to repair or build irrigation structures. Each grant is… - Emergency control of unsafe dams: benefit, medium. If a dam emergency threatens life or property, the owner must notify the Chief Water Officer. The Officer can take charge, lower the water level, or fully drain the reservoir. The Officer can perform any needed protective work until conditions are safe. - Some uses override instream flows: benefit, medium. The Chief Water Officer must change instream appropriations so they do not block certain new filings. These include induced recharge for public water wells, storage for flood and sediment control projects that are dry or use no more than 200 acre‑feet net per year on average, certain transfer permi… - State erosion and sediment control: benefit, medium. The Director, working with state and federal partners, runs a statewide erosion and sediment control program. The program sets soil‑loss tolerance levels, state goals and strategy, priorities, and types of help for local governments and farmers. Any major revision requires at least four public hear… - Flood and stormwater planning grants: benefit, medium. The state funds local stormwater plans. At least 80% of grants go to urbanized areas by population and up to 20% go to other places over 10,000 people. Local governments must provide a 20% match. The state must study 2019 flooding, build a statewide flood plan with two public hearings (30‑day notic… - Water project funding with new oversight: benefit, medium. The Chief Water Officer (CWO) now reviews and decides if water projects can seek money from the Water Sustainability Fund. If a city applies and the CWO recommends it and the commission approves it, 10% of the fund’s yearly appropriation is reserved for combined sewer overflow projects, split by po… - CO2 power plan impact report required: benefit, medium. At least 30 days before sending any state carbon‑dioxide plan to the EPA, the department must issue a report. It must cover plant retirements or fuel switches, stranded investments, needed upgrades, reliability risks, retail price changes, and jobs. The department cannot submit a plan until the rep… - Court review and species listing notices: benefit, low. People can challenge commission orders in district court within 30 days. Courts can give declaratory or forward‑looking injunctions, and rule validity can be reviewed under section 84-911. When the commission proposes species or critical habitat changes, it must notify the Department of Water, Ener… - Energy settlement fund with oversight: benefit, low. Nebraska creates the Nebraska Energy Settlement Fund and has the new department run it under the Governor. Before money is spent, the Governor must send a plan to the Legislature and wait 45 days. Lawmakers can hold a public hearing within 30 days and send recommendations 15 days after. The departm… - Environmental Trust grants get bonus points: benefit, low. State law gives the department 50 extra priority points on certain three‑year Nebraska Environmental Trust grant applications if it met specific reporting and matching rules. Those cycles included fiscal years 2014–15, 2017–18, and 2020–21. Matching funds and in‑kind limits must meet the law’s requ… - Faster court process for irrigation: benefit, low. Courts cannot issue emergency orders that affect irrigation delivery when the Chief Water Officer is a party without proper notice. Registered or certified notice must be mailed 72 hours before the hearing to the Chief, the division supervisor, and affected water users. People who may be harmed can… - Help to secure instream water flows: benefit, low. Natural resources districts and Game and Parks can ask state experts or the Chief Water Officer for help studying stream segments with critical instream flow needs. After notice and a hearing, they can apply for permits to protect instream flows. Applications must name where flows begin and end, wh… - Integrated water plans and protections: benefit, low. When a basin is fully or overappropriated, the Chief Water Officer and local districts must adopt an integrated plan within three years, with one possible extension up to two more years. Plans must set goals, show a map, include groundwater and surface water controls, and lay out data and methods.… - Joint water plans and tracking rules: benefit, low. Districts that are not overappropriated or fully appropriated can voluntarily develop integrated water plans with the Chief Water Officer. Plans must include clear methods to track streamflow losses and gains, identify offsets, and explain how new uses avoid harm to current users. If an overappropr… - More coordination on water and climate: benefit, low. The Chief Water Officer identifies which river basins are fully appropriated or overappropriated for the Riparian Vegetation Task Force. The Director of Water, Energy, and Environment now serves on the Climate Assessment Response Committee. Economic Development may consult DWEE, Transportation, and… - New Water, Energy, and Environment Department: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2025, the state merges Natural Resources into Environment and Energy to form the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. The Director continues as head of the new department, and the former DNR director becomes the Chief Water Officer. Contracts, funds, lawsuits, and existin… - State review of groundwater plans: benefit, low. Natural resources districts must send groundwater management plans to the Chief Water Officer. The Officer reviews within 90 days, uses the best data, and explains any approval or denial. Districts must investigate, report, and work with the department on groundwater contamination. Districts must k… - Stronger groundwater protection and faster reviews: benefit, low. The department can regulate pollution sources to stop groundwater from getting worse. Before any underground injection permit is issued, the commission must consult the department and the UIC authority. Each year, the Chief Water Officer forecasts how much streamflow may be available to meet inters… - Water well cleanup fund and grants: benefit, low. The state creates a Water Well Decommissioning Fund to speed up closing illegal wells. Money comes from fees, donations, and any appropriations, and the fund does not lapse. The Department contracts with natural resources districts and reimburses actual costs, based on how many illegal wells they c… - Yearly report on water supplies: benefit, low. By January 1 each year, the Chief Water Officer reports expected long‑term supplies of connected surface and groundwater. The report maps the connected area and shows how current use affects supplies. Areas with active plans or marked overappropriated are usually not reevaluated each year. - Fire-safety checks at mobile home parks: benefit, low. If the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment asks, the State Fire Marshal inspects mobile home park sites for fire safety. This supports safer housing for people who rent in those parks. - Stronger chemical plant security rules: benefit, low. Starting July 19, 2024, chemical facilities that already had federal security duties by July 27, 2023 must use the federal CISA chemical security program. State agencies must post the requirements and a link to the federal program on their websites. - Warehouse grain dust safety inspections: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2025, the department and commission check warehouses for grain‑dust and related hazards during regular inspections. They must report dangerous conditions to the State Fire Marshal. This reduces explosion risk for workers and nearby communities. - Landfill fee rebates to cities/counties: benefit, low. The department rebates $0.10 per qualifying disposal‑fee unit back to the city or county where the waste came from. To qualify, the area must have a department‑approved purchasing policy and file a report by April 1 each year. Rebates are paid at least yearly and up to quarterly, and can be suspend… - Rules for water project partnerships: benefit, low. The department uses competitive negotiation for public‑private partnerships on water and natural resources projects. The Director set rules by July 1, 2024 for when partnerships are allowed. Requests for proposals must spell out partner duties, oversight, financing plans, evaluation factors and wei… - State energy plan and data: benefit, low. The department must keep a comprehensive state energy plan. It must collect and analyze energy data, use existing reports when possible, and protect confidential business information. Each year by February 15, the Director reports energy trends and statewide needs. The department also decides which… - New options for environmental tax breaks: benefit, low. The Tax Commissioner can now consider tax credits or exemptions for building or staffing licensed low‑level radioactive waste sites. The Department of Water, Energy, and Environment keeps the power to decide if a project qualifies as pollution control for tax refund purposes, and appeals still foll… - Stronger dam safety orders and fines: cost, high. If the Chief Water Officer believes you violate the dam law, you get a certified notice and 30 days to respond or ask for a hearing. The Officer can issue temporary cease‑and‑desist orders. Courts can enforce civil penalties up to $500 per day for each day a violation continues. - Unused water rights face cancellation: cost, high. If you do not use permitted water for five straight years, the Chief Water Officer can start canceling it. You have 30 days after notice to contest. If you do not, the permit can be canceled in whole or part. The Officer can also cancel unperfected permits when permit conditions are broken, and pos… - Radioactive sites must post cleanup funds: cost, high. Licensed sites that handle radioactive materials must provide financial assurance for closure, cleanup, and long‑term care. If a surety is forfeited, the money goes to the state’s Health and Human Services Cash Fund to pay for cleanup and monitoring. Interest can fund long‑term care. If the United… - Extra NRD property tax in overused basins: cost, medium. If the Chief Water Officer declares a river basin, subbasin, or reach fully appropriated or overappropriated, Natural Resources Districts there can levy an extra property tax. The extra tax equals how much certain restricted funds for groundwater and integrated management exceed the district’s 2005… - Extra approval before pollution permits: cost, medium. Before the state issues an NPDES or a construction and operating permit, applicants must first get any needed approval from the Chief Water Officer under dam‑safety laws. The department can require that approval for dams, holding ponds, or lagoons that could cause a big discharge if they failed. Th… - Biofuel credits add state OK and tests: cost, medium. Biodiesel facilities must show written approvals from the state department and federal ATF to claim the investment credit. They must also submit yearly independent lab tests and notify the Department of Revenue before sampling so it can observe. New ethanol plants must show state and federal approv… - Clearer penalties for radiation misconduct: cost, medium. The law defines deliberate misconduct under the Radiation Control Act. It covers intentional acts or omissions that cause violations of rules, licenses, or procedures by licensees, applicants, or their contractors. This gives the department a clear basis to enforce and penalize bad actors. - Gas tax tied to wholesale price: cost, medium. The state sets a 5% tax on the average wholesale price of gasoline, not including state and federal taxes or environmental fees. The average price is calculated on April 1 and October 1 and then used starting July 1 and January 1. Any tax change between those periods is limited so it does not rise… - Tighter help from petroleum cleanup fund: cost, low. The cleanup fund pays only for releases first reported after July 17, 1983 and on or before June 30, 2028. It pays only if no responsible person is found, the person cannot or will not comply, or the Director orders immediate action to protect health or the environment. Fewer cleanups qualify for f… - Fuel stations report ethanol blends: cost, low. Starting in 2025, retail motor fuel dealers must file quarterly reports showing gallons sold by fuel type and the percent ethanol in each gallon. The Department of Revenue and the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment publish a yearly statewide ethanol blend rate. - Meters and reports for interstate ditches: cost, low. If ordered, interstate ditch managers must install a measuring device near the state line within 30 days of notice. They must send daily gauge‑height reports for the full irrigation season as directed. Not complying is a Class V misdemeanor. - Permits for geothermal groundwater wells: cost, low. You must get a permit before building wells to withdraw groundwater for geothermal development. The department will set permit rules that fit with environmental laws. Geothermal fluids must be reinjected into the same formation in about the same volume and quality unless the permit allows other use… - Caps on new irrigated acres: cost, low. When a basin’s status changes from fully appropriated, each affected district has 120 days to set rules that cap new groundwater‑irrigated acres for at least four years. The rules must keep the basin from becoming fully appropriated again and need Chief Water Officer approval within 60 days. If the… - Energy loan contracts off public database: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2025, Dollar and Energy Saving Loan financing contracts do not have to be listed in the state’s public contracts database. This changes what the public can see online but does not change who gets loans or how they work. - Rural water petitions sent to state: cost, low. When a petition to form a rural water district is filed, the county clerk must send a copy and the hearing notice to the Chief Water Officer. The clerk must send them at least seven days before the hearing. - Use rural revitalization grants or repay: cost, low. If a city or village does not begin the demolition named in its Revitalize Rural Nebraska grant within 24 months, it must return the money. The department returns repaid funds to the Revitalize Rural Nebraska Fund. - Water fund earnings move to General Fund: cost, low. Before October 1, 2024, investment earnings from the Water Sustainability Fund stay in that fund. Beginning October 1, 2024, those earnings go to the state’s General Fund. - Irrigation district wind‑down: property, payouts: mixed, high. When an irrigation district dissolves and files its final report, district easements and rights‑of‑way end and return to the landowner. Anyone with a claim against the district has one year from that filing to sue, or the claim is barred. After debts are paid, any money left is paid to recorded ass… - Drainage projects: checks and charges: mixed, medium. A drainage district can condemn land outside its borders only for projects the department approves; Corps‑supervised districts are exempt. If downstream channels remain unimproved, the department can trigger an acreage‑based election to form a sanitary drainage district. If voters approve, the dist… - Faster, stricter water-right transfers: mixed, medium. The Chief Water Officer can fast‑track some transfer requests with no hearing if strict limits in law are met. In other cases, your application must show beneficial use, no cut to others’ supply, needed approvals, and that it serves the public interest. The Officer may require studies and historic‑… - Tougher dam safety rules and fees: mixed, medium. Before you build, enlarge, or change a dam, you must get written approval with engineer‑sealed plans. High‑hazard dams are inspected yearly; significant every two years; low and minimal about every five. Owners of older, unapproved dams must apply within 60 days of notice and make any tests or repa… - Local water fees and permits reviewed: mixed, medium. The state withholds funds from a Natural Resources District unless it files its master plan and the project matches state plans. Anyone who wants to charge or change underground water‑storage fees must get approval first and file a fee schedule and project details. County assessment tools may count… - Chief Water Officer runs water permits: mixed, medium. The Chief Water Officer now handles most water-right permits and changes. The Officer sets filing priorities, posts notices, holds hearings, and decides transfers and diversion changes. The Officer can require headgates, meters, and maps of irrigated acres and can hold back water deliveries to enfo… - Faster action on groundwater pollution: mixed, medium. When the department finds likely groundwater contamination and the local district has not acted, it must study the problem and issue a report within one year. If the source is a point source, the Director uses Environmental Protection Act tools to stop and reduce it. If the source is nonpoint, the… - New data rules and water controls: mixed, medium. The Chief and natural resources districts must use the best scientific data when writing integrated water plans. The Chief sets data rules, and agencies must share data on request. Basin plans may add surface‑water controls like more monitoring, limits on new permits, and required conservation. The… - One new water and environment department: mixed, medium. Beginning July 1, 2025, Nebraska runs water, energy, and environmental programs under the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. All duties, filings, and powers from the prior agencies now go to this department or the Chief Water Officer. All DNR property, staff, records, and funds transfer… - Tighter rules for water permits: mixed, medium. The Chief Water Officer now runs many water and groundwater permit reviews, hearings, and enforcement. The Officer may grant, deny, or condition permits and may refer violations for prosecution. Orders on underground storage and approved fees cannot be attacked in side cases. If a transfer cannot b… - Stronger pesticide safety and enforcement: mixed, medium. The Department of Agriculture can fine up to $5,000 per violation of pesticide laws. It can inspect properties, sample and test pesticides, stop sales, seize products with probable cause, and order unsafe activities to cease. The department may require notice to nearby landowners before certain pes… - Groundwater hearings, controls, and appeals: mixed, medium. Public groundwater hearings must include department testimony and district water‑quality study results. Groundwater control orders take effect on the date set by the adopting authority. The state clarifies who decides well registration and permit questions, and all actions must align with section 4… - New rules for water project funding: mixed, medium. Water Sustainability Fund money can be grants or loans. Loans must start repayment within one year of construction end and can run up to 50 years; the state may place a lien on the project. Most local recipients must put up a 20% match for key water grants. Projects score higher if they improve wat… - Perkins Canal authority and funding: mixed, medium. The state can design, build, and operate the Perkins County Canal to protect water under the South Platte River Compact. The department may buy land, own water rights, and use eminent domain for needed property or access. A project fund pays for planning, land, and development. An independent study… - Public lake development and access: mixed, medium. The state can buy, sell, and lease land and use public‑private partnerships to develop a public lake. The lake must be at least 3,600 acres, be in or near certain counties, lie in the Platte River flood plain or floodway, and provide full public access. Up to $20 million is available for site selec… - Stronger dam safety rules and enforcement: mixed, medium. The Chief Water Officer is now the main state authority for dam safety. You must get state approval to build, change, or remove a dam, and owners of high‑hazard dams must make and test an emergency plan. The officer can inspect with notice, order quick fixes for dangerous dams, and require studies;… - Water project funding and local match: mixed, medium. The Water Sustainability Fund supports state water projects inside the department. Natural resources districts must cover at least 40% local match to use Water Resources Cash Fund dollars. The department sets rules and announces each year’s available money by August 1. One grant is paid in three $3… - Backup inflation index if CPI ends: mixed, low. If the Consumer Price Index ever stops being published, the Chief Water Officer picks a similar index. This keeps compensation amounts that use CPI adjusting over time. - Clearer state game refuge boundaries: mixed, low. The commission sets and posts state game‑refuge boundaries and updates them when stream banks shift. Staff may enter private property at reasonable times to mark or survey after publishing notice once a week for three weeks. - Water well fees and license breaks: mixed, low. Registration fees are $25–$40 for wells that pump 50 gpm or less and $40–$80 for larger wells. First‑time license fees are waived for low‑income people, military families, and young workers. The law narrows the meaning of “water well” by excluding permitted surface‑water structures. Water Well Boar… - Well registration, fees, and discipline: mixed, low. You must register new wells within 60 days and pay a $40 fee (plus any added fee set in law). The department keeps records and gives copies to you, your contractor, and your local natural resources district. You must file a change before using a well for a new purpose, and meet spacing rules. A wel… - Stronger state energy code for buildings: mixed, low. Nebraska adopts the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code as the state energy code. The Director can approve alternative standards only if they do not use more energy than the code. Within two years after first occupancy, the Director or local code authority can order the owner or prime contr… - Natural Resources staff move, rights kept: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2025, positions tied to transferred duties move from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. Affected employees keep state personnel and bargaining rights, and their service stays continuous for benefits and seniority. The Chief Wat… - Farm projects: permits and engineer exemptions: mixed, low. If a livestock waste control facility includes a dam, holding pond, or lagoon, you must get Chief Water Officer approval before building; a decision is due in 60 days. Farmers and local governments do not need an engineer for earthmoving tied to soil and water conservation when no department permit… - Farm water transfers and replacement wells: mixed, low. Irrigation and similar districts can transfer water use to other tracts with owner and ditch or canal consent, if use stays within beneficial needs and within the district’s total right. A replacement well must have any required permit, serve the same purpose, and follow timing rules, including dec… - Stronger checks on chemigation practices: mixed, low. The state and natural resources districts now monitor and enforce rules for applying ag chemicals through irrigation systems. They can require records and take enforcement actions to protect water quality. This can mean added compliance steps for chemigation users. - Environmental Trust board and grant changes: mixed, low. The Director of the new department and the Chief Water Officer now serve on the Nebraska Environmental Trust Board. Department applications under the cited water‑management law receive 50 extra priority points when the Legislature has approved $3.3 million transfers for those years and the projects… - More state checks on rural water projects: mixed, low. County boards must verify proper notice to petition signers, the Chief Water Officer, and affected landowners. A county cannot find a project necessary unless the Chief Water Officer approves it. Rural water project plans must be filed with the Chief and the Department, and work cannot start until… - New Water, Energy, and Environment Department: mixed, low. Nebraska renames and consolidates programs into the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. Powers that belonged to Natural Resources now move to the Chief Water Officer. The Governor appoints the department Director without a council‑submitted list. Statutes and board memberships are updated… - New Water, Energy, Environment Department: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2025, Nebraska merges Natural Resources and Environment and Energy into the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. The law creates a Chief Water Officer and division supervisors to run water distribution by priority in two water divisions. The Chief Water Officer replaces t… - Pauses and caps in strained basins: mixed, low. If key groundwater controls are adopted, a district can ask the Chief Water Officer to pause new surface water rights. When a basin is found fully appropriated, the Chief must pause new surface and many new well permits, send certified notices, and publish public notices for three weeks. Ten days a… - Pipeline siting reports by department: mixed, low. If the Public Service Commission asks, the Department files a technical report on a proposed oil pipeline route. The report can recommend approval, denial, or changes. Agencies may request reimbursement for reasonable costs to prepare the report. - Radioactive waste definitions updated: mixed, low. The law clarifies that high‑level radioactive waste includes irradiated reactor fuel, certain liquid reprocessing wastes, solids made from those wastes, and other highly radioactive material defined by federal rules. The statute also removes the definition of “licensed facility operator” from the R… - Repeals older water and environment laws: mixed, low. The law removes a listed set of Nebraska statutes tied to these subjects. Those sections are no longer in effect. - State review of irrigation district moves: mixed, low. To merge irrigation districts, boards must file a certified petition with the Chief Water Officer; the Officer must approve or deny it within 20 days. New districts must send their general operation plan within 90 days of making it, and the Officer files a review report. Big power plant projects by… - State-led process for reclamation districts: mixed, low. Petitions to form a district go to the Chief Water Officer and need signatures from owners of at least 30% of the acreage. Land in the proposed district must have at least $5,720,000 in taxable value. A $2,000 bond is required. The Officer sets a hearing 90–120 days after filing; protests by at lea… - Statewide water data and reporting: mixed, low. Natural resources districts must send all groundwater quality data to the Department. The Department publishes a yearly report showing monitoring coverage and trends to the Legislature. The Department can run water‑data projects for other agencies and charge fees to cover collection, analysis, and… - Targeted water funds and fee reviews: mixed, low. The Water Resources Cash Fund now only pays for projects in areas with an integrated management plan, and it cannot pay local administrative costs or salaries. A natural resources district that fails to enforce required controls cannot get money from this fund until it complies. The Chief Water Off… - Water fund money moved between programs: mixed, low. The state moves $1,000,000 from the Water Resources Cash Fund to the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Cash Fund between July 19, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Earlier moves shifted $175,000, $425,000, and $500,000 from the Water Sustainability Fund by June 30, 2021, and $475,000 in both 2022 and 2023 to the… - Water rights decisions and enforcement changes: mixed, low. The Chief Water Officer decides water‑rights claims and can hold hearings, require evidence, and issue orders. The officer may stop water use by claimants until rights are set, and parties can be charged a share of transcript costs. If you help catch and convict someone who breaks the named water r… - Stronger water limits for pesticides: mixed, low. The Department of Water, Energy, and Environment sets pesticide standards for surface water, ground water, and drinking water. These become action levels in state pesticide plans and may be at or below federal Safe Drinking Water Act limits as of January 1, 2021. The Department of Agriculture must… - Municipal groundwater transfers with state permit: mixed, low. A natural resources district must approve moving groundwater into an affected area for city water service when the public water supplier has a permit from the Chief Water Officer. This gives cities a clear path to secure water, while local supplies may face changes. - Permits to drain large lakes: mixed, low. You must get a permit before draining, lowering, or diverting a natural or perennial lake over 20 acres. A permit is also needed if the lake’s depth or character makes it more valuable for aquaculture, hunting, or other uses than farming the lakebed. The Chief Water Officer reviews applications and… - Grants to clear run‑down buildings: mixed, low. The state offers Revitalize Rural Nebraska grants to cities and villages to demolish dilapidated commercial buildings. The site must be city‑owned or controlled, vacant or abandoned at least six months, and not on the National Register of Historic Places. Local matches are required: 10% for village… - Nitrogen incentives move to new department: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2025, the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment runs the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Program and its cash fund. The department can set rules to qualify labeled fertilizer products, apply for grants, and credit them to the fund. ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Tom Brandt, Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-05-01 | legislature | Final Reading | pass | 34 | 12 | | | 2025-04-22 | legislature | Vote | fail | 12 | 29 | 8 | | 2025-04-22 | legislature | Vote | fail | 1 | 29 | 19 | | 2025-04-22 | legislature | Vote | fail | 36 | 0 | 13 | | 2025-04-22 | legislature | Vote | fail | 13 | 33 | 3 | | 2025-04-22 | legislature | Vote | fail | 46 | 0 | 3 | | 2025-04-22 | legislature | Vote | fail | 34 | 8 | 7 | | 2025-04-02 | legislature | Vote | fail | 30 | 4 | 15 | | 2025-04-02 | legislature | Vote | fail | 31 | 2 | 16 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 12 | 29 | 8 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 34 | 8 | 7 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 13 | 33 | 3 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 30 | 4 | 15 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 36 | 0 | 13 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 1 | 29 | 19 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 46 | 0 | 3 | ## Actions (35) - 2025-05-06: Approved by Governor on May 6, 2025 (legislature) - 2025-05-01: Presented to Governor on May 1, 2025 (legislature) - 2025-05-01: President/Speaker signed (legislature) - 2025-05-01: Passed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 34-12*-3 (legislature) - 2025-05-01: Dispensing of reading at large approved (legislature) - 2025-04-29: Enrollment and Review ST29 recorded (legislature) - 2025-04-29: Enrollment and Review ST29 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-29: Placed on Final Reading with ST29 (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Cavanaugh, J. AM1133 lost (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Cavanaugh, J. FA117 lost (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Cavanaugh, J. FA117 to AM1133 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Cavanaugh, J. AM1133 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Storer FA116 adopted (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Storer FA116 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Conrad AM1124 adopted (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Conrad AM1124 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Brandt AM1084 adopted (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Brandt AM1035 withdrawn (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Cavanaugh, M. MO183 failed (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Cavanaugh, M. MO183 pending (legislature) - 2025-04-22: Enrollment and Review ER36 adopted (legislature) - 2025-04-17: Cavanaugh, M. MO183 Bracket until May 5, 2025 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-17: Brandt AM1084 to ER36 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-14: Brandt AM1035 to ER36 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-10: Enrollment and Review ER36 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-10: Placed on Select File with ER36 (legislature) - 2025-04-02: Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial (legislature) - 2025-04-02: Natural Resources AM711 adopted (legislature) - 2025-03-27: Natural Resources AM711 filed (legislature) - 2025-03-27: Placed on General File with AM711 (legislature) - 2025-03-12: Natural Resources priority bill (legislature) - 2025-02-06: Notice of hearing for February 13, 2025 (legislature) - 2025-01-21: Referred to Natural Resources Committee (legislature) - 2025-01-16: Date of introduction (legislature) ## Bill text - Introduced, 2025-01-16: [PDF](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB317.pdf) - Enrolled / Slip Law: [PDF](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Slip/LB317.pdf) - Final / Enacted: [PDF](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Final/LB317.pdf) ## Related bills - LB468: Change provisions relating to inheritance taxes, change certain fee and tax provisions, and eliminate a sales tax exemption relating to data centers (failed) - LB13: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment relating to child care (failed) - LB677: Change provisions of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act and provide for regulation of medical cannabis (failed) - LB170: Eliminate the sales tax exemptions for candy and soft drinks (failed) - LB646: Provide an exemption from brand inspections and change fees under the Livestock Brand Act (failed) - LB714: Change provisions relating to motor vehicle taxes and fees (failed) ## Sources - [Introduced (PDF)](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB317.pdf) - [Enrolled / Slip Law (PDF)](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Slip/LB317.pdf) - [Final / Enacted (PDF)](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Final/LB317.pdf) ## Related - [LB468: Change provisions relating to inheritance taxes, change certain fee and tax pro…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB468-109) - [LB13: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB13-109) - [LB677: Change provisions of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act and provide f…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB677-109) - [LB170: Eliminate the sales tax exemptions for candy and soft drinks](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB170-109) - [LB646: Provide an exemption from brand inspections and change fees under the Livestock…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB646-109) - [LB714: Change provisions relating to motor vehicle taxes and fees](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB714-109) - [Nebraska bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/nebraska/bills) - [Nebraska state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/nebraska) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB317-109 (as of 2026-10-17).