All Roll Calls
Yes: 236 • No: 0
NebraskaLB38109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Change provisions of the Geologists Regulation Act
Sponsored By: Mike Jacobson
Signed by Governor
Natural Resources Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.
Stronger ethics, hearings, and penalties
The board sets a code of practice on competence, conflicts, money disclosures, conduct, and standards, and can put you on probation or suspend or revoke your license. Disciplinary charges must be written and mailed at least 30 days before a hearing. You can have a lawyer, call and cross‑examine witnesses, and the board may use a hearing officer. If the board finds a violation, it can censure you, limit practice, suspend or revoke, issue cease‑and‑desist orders, fine up to $10,000, and charge attorney and hearing costs. It is also a crime to practice or use the title without authorization or misuse another person’s certificate or seal (first offense Class II misdemeanor; later offenses Class I misdemeanor).
Steps to become a licensed geologist
To get a license, you must finish at least 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of board‑approved geology courses. You must pass the fundamentals exam, the practice exam, and a Nebraska statutes and rules exam. You must also show at least 4 years of progressive geologic experience after your education. Exams come in two parts, and a reexam can cost up to $100 (the first reexam fee may be waived). You apply on the board’s form; verified records from the national geology boards can be accepted. If the board issues your credential, it is effective right away.
Easier paths for out-of-state geologists
If you hold a valid out‑of‑state license that meets or exceeds Nebraska’s standards, the board can license you without extra exams. If you have held a current license and practiced lawfully for at least 15 years, the board can waive some requirements. You must still provide documentation and references and pass the Nebraska statutes exam. You may also get one lifetime temporary permit for a named project and time. That permit requires an application, a fee, proof of your home license, and passing the Nebraska statutes exam.
Renewal rules and caps on fees
Licenses and organization certificates expire on dates the board sets and are not valid unless renewed. The board must give at least one month’s notice and can charge up to $200 per year to renew. The board may require continuing education, reexams, and penalty fees for late renewals, and renewal forms must list certain convictions and license actions. Fee caps apply: at most $300 for a professional geologist license, $100 for a geologist‑intern enrollment, and $300 per year for an organization’s certificate. The board may charge exam‑cost recovery fees and up to $100 for an administrative collection fee; emeritus status is capped at $100 per year. Fees are kept if a certificate is denied.
Work that does not need a license
Some work stays exempt from licensing. Examples include supervised subordinate work, certain exploration that does not affect public health or safety, academic research and teaching, engineering within an engineer’s scope, routine internal monitoring and sampling, some public‑employee work, utility line construction by public entities or rural electric cooperatives, and water‑well work. The board may also waive rules for other functions it finds are safe without a professional geologist.
Firms need authorization and sealed work
Firms that offer geology services must get a board certificate of authorization and file their officers, updating changes within 30 days. The Secretary of State cannot register a firm or name using “geology” for practice unless the board confirms eligibility. Licensed geologists must use a Nebraska seal with their name and number and sign across it on all technical documents; you cannot use the seal after your license expires. Temporary permit holders use their home‑state seal and add their permit and signature. Only a geologist in responsible charge or with direct supervision may sign and seal work.
Who runs geology licensing board
The Board of Geologists has seven members: five professional geologists, one Nebraska faculty geologist recommended by a college president, and one public member. Terms are five years and end on the last day of February; members must be U.S. citizens and Nebraska residents for at least one year. Professional members need 10 years of practice and 5 years in responsible charge and must keep a Nebraska license. The board can name nonvoting emeritus members without pay; voting members are unpaid but get per diem and travel reimbursements. The board can hire counsel and staff, use an official seal, make rules, and publish a public roster filed with the Secretary of State (copy fees may apply). The act repeals and replaces older geology statutes.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Jacobson
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15
legislature vote • 2/21/2025
Final Reading
Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1
legislature vote • 2/7/2025
Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15
legislature vote • 1/30/2025
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
legislature vote • 1/30/2025
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on February 25, 2025
2/26/2025legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
2/21/2025legislaturePassed on Final Reading 48-0-1
2/21/2025legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
2/21/2025legislaturePresented to Governor on February 21, 2025
2/21/2025legislaturePlaced on Final Reading with ST4
2/18/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ST4 filed
2/18/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ST4 recorded
2/18/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER2 adopted
2/7/2025legislatureJacobson AM141 adopted
2/7/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
2/7/2025legislatureJacobson AM141 filed
2/5/2025legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER2
2/4/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER2 filed
2/4/2025legislatureNatural Resources AM17 adopted
1/30/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
1/30/2025legislaturePlaced on General File with AM17
1/27/2025legislatureNatural Resources AM17 filed
1/27/2025legislatureNotice of hearing for January 23, 2025
1/16/2025legislatureReferred to Natural Resources Committee
1/13/2025legislatureDate of introduction
1/9/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
2/26/2025
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted