# Nebraska LB38: Change provisions of the Geologists Regulation Act Nebraska LB38, Change provisions of the Geologists Regulation Act, is a 109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessions legislature bill sponsored by Mike Jacobson; status signed, last action 2025-02-25 (Approved by Governor on February 25, 2025); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-17). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB38-109 - As of: 2026-10-17 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Nebraska LB38 - State: Nebraska - Session: 109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessions - Title: Change provisions of the Geologists Regulation Act - Status: signed - Chamber: legislature - Introduced: 2025-01-09 - Last action: 2025-02-25, Approved by Governor on February 25, 2025 - Sponsor: Mike Jacobson - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: Natural Resources Committee - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 6 (236 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 12 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Paths for out-of-state and veteran geologists: benefit, medium. If you hold an out‑of‑state license, you can get a Nebraska license by showing four or more years of post‑education experience, passing Nebraska’s law exam, verifying good standing, and meeting equivalent exam and coursework rules. If you have 15 or more years of licensed practice elsewhere, you ca… - No unlicensed geology; tougher penalties: benefit, medium. It is illegal to practice geology or use the title “Professional Geologist” without a Nebraska license, unless an exemption applies. Licensed geologists may not help unlicensed people practice. Crimes include unlicensed practice, knowingly hiring unlicensed practitioners, misuse of “geologist” in a… - More geology work exempt from licenses: benefit, low. The law expands tasks that do not need a professional geologist license. Examples include work under a licensed geologist’s supervision, some low‑risk energy and mineral exploration the board approves, academic and nonprofit research, and teaching. Licensed engineers may work within their engineeri… - Stronger standards, hearings, and penalties for geologists: cost, high. The Board sets a professional code on competence, conflicts, safety, and conduct. Discipline requires written charges, a hearing, and at least 30 days’ notice by registered mail. Penalties can include probation, limits, suspension, revocation, cease‑and‑desist orders, costs, and civil fines up to $… - Annual renewals and licensing fees: cost, low. The Board sets renewal dates and must notify you at least one month before your license or firm certificate expires. You renew by applying and paying a fee capped at $200 per year; the Board may require continuing education. If your credential expires, the Board may require reexamination or penalty… - How to get a geology license: mixed, medium. The law sets clear steps to become a Licensed Professional Geologist. You may take the fundamentals exam as a senior or graduate with at least 30 semester or 45 quarter geology hours, after applying, paying the fee, and providing references. After passing, the Board can enroll you as a geologist‑in… - Firms need authorization to offer geology: mixed, medium. Firms that offer geology in Nebraska must get a Board certificate of authorization. They must list licensed officer(s) on the application and report officer changes within 30 days; renewals follow the Board’s schedule. Public filings from the firm must be dated and sealed by the responsible license… - New geology exam rules and retake fees: mixed, low. The Board of Geologists sets when, where, and how exams are given. The board decides what references count, exam rules, and what work experience qualifies. If you retake an exam, the board can charge up to $100 each time. The board may waive the fee for your first retake and sometimes later ones. A… - What counts as geology and responsibility: mixed, low. The law defines “practice of geology” broadly, including teaching and research and using titles that imply you are licensed. Direct supervision means you have professional knowledge and control over another person’s geologic work. Responsible charge means you are personally accountable for the tech… - Seals and signatures on geologic work: mixed, low. Licensed geologists must get a board‑approved seal that shows “State of Nebraska,” your name, license number, and “Licensed Professional Geologist.” You must sign and date across the seal on technical submissions and on public reports, maps, plans, logs, and sections you prepared in responsible cha… - Old geology law sections repealed: mixed, low. The law removes many old sections of Nebraska’s geologist statutes. It repeals sections 81-3505 and 81-3513 and a long list of other sections tied to the prior Act. These repeals clear out the old framework and align the code with the new Geologists Regulation Act. - Geologist board makeup and public roster: mixed, low. A seven‑member Board of Geologists runs the law: five licensed geologists, one Nebraska geology faculty member, and one public member. Geologist members need 10 years of practice and 5 years in responsible charge or supervision and must keep a Nebraska license; all members are U.S. citizens and rec… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Mike Jacobson, Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-02-21 | legislature | Final Reading | pass | 48 | 0 | 1 | | 2025-02-07 | legislature | Vote | fail | 34 | 0 | 15 | | 2025-01-30 | legislature | Vote | fail | 42 | 0 | 7 | | 2025-01-30 | legislature | Vote | fail | 39 | 0 | 10 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 34 | 0 | 15 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 39 | 0 | 10 | ## Actions (21) - 2025-02-25: Approved by Governor on February 25, 2025 (legislature) - 2025-02-21: Presented to Governor on February 21, 2025 (legislature) - 2025-02-21: President/Speaker signed (legislature) - 2025-02-21: Passed on Final Reading 48-0-1 (legislature) - 2025-02-21: Dispensing of reading at large approved (legislature) - 2025-02-18: Enrollment and Review ST4 recorded (legislature) - 2025-02-18: Enrollment and Review ST4 filed (legislature) - 2025-02-18: Placed on Final Reading with ST4 (legislature) - 2025-02-07: Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment (legislature) - 2025-02-07: Jacobson AM141 adopted (legislature) - 2025-02-07: Enrollment and Review ER2 adopted (legislature) - 2025-02-05: Jacobson AM141 filed (legislature) - 2025-02-04: Enrollment and Review ER2 filed (legislature) - 2025-02-04: Placed on Select File with ER2 (legislature) - 2025-01-30: Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial (legislature) - 2025-01-30: Natural Resources AM17 adopted (legislature) - 2025-01-27: Natural Resources AM17 filed (legislature) - 2025-01-27: Placed on General File with AM17 (legislature) - 2025-01-16: Notice of hearing for January 23, 2025 (legislature) - 2025-01-13: Referred to Natural Resources Committee (legislature) - 2025-01-09: Date of introduction (legislature) ## Bill text - Introduced, 2025-01-09: [PDF](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB38.pdf) - Enrolled / Slip Law: [PDF](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Slip/LB38.pdf) - Final / Enacted: [PDF](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Final/LB38.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/LB38.pdf) - [Enrolled / Slip Law (PDF)](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Slip/LB38.pdf) - [Final / Enacted (PDF)](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Final/LB38.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-LB38-109 (as of 2026-10-17).