All Roll Calls
Yes: 224 • No: 23
NebraskaLB759109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Change fees and funding for solid waste management, water wells, livestock regulation, hazardous waste management, clean water regulation, and litter reduction and recycling, change membership of a board, provide penalties and enforcement provisions for geologic storage of carbon dioxide, provide for entry upon property for the Perkins County Canal, correct references to and change jurisdiction of the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, and require local governments to regulate operation of swimming pools, recreation camps, and mobile home parks
Sponsored By: Tom Brandt
Signed by Governor
Natural Resources Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 4 mixed.
Fees for mineral wells and permits
If you operate mineral exploration, production, or injection wells, the council can set fees for permits and related activities. Fees must cover the department’s direct and indirect costs and cannot be higher than needed.
Higher fees and financial assurance for waste permits
If you apply for or hold permits under solid‑waste or environmental laws, you must pay an application fee before processing and an annual fee. Hazardous‑waste generators and facility operators also pay fees set by the council. New and renewing permittees must show financial responsibility (for example, bonds, escrow, cash, or self‑bond) in amounts set by the director; low‑risk classes may be exempt. The law creates the Integrated Solid Waste Management Cash Fund to hold related fees and forfeitures and includes a one‑time $1.384 million transfer to the Superfund Cost Share Cash Fund on or before June 1, 2006.
New pool rules, inspections, and fees
If you build or operate a pool, you must use state‑approved plans and meet minimum safety rules set by local government. Pool operators must finish an approved course and keep a certificate; the department charges certification, plan‑review, permit, and inspection fees, but only up to its actual costs. Plan‑review fees go to the Engineering Plan Review Cash Fund; other fees go to the Environmental Safety Cash Fund. The department inspects every pool at least once a year. Local inspection fees are capped at the actual cost, and the department may not charge inspection fees for municipal‑owned pools. Owners must keep operation and test records for three years. If you lack a certificate or break safety rules, local officials can penalize you and treat the pool as a public nuisance.
Stronger safety checks at camps
The department must inspect each recreation camp at least once a year and may enter at reasonable times. If inspectors find problems, the department must tell the operator. Local governments can suspend a camp’s permit for safety failures, and the department can revoke a permit after notice and a fair hearing. No new permit is issued until the camp can operate safely. Existing rules and permits from before July 1, 2021 stay in effect unless changed or revoked.
Fire safety checks at mobile parks
When a mobile home park applies for a license or renewal, the local government or the state department can ask the State Fire Marshal to investigate for fire safety. This adds another safety check for people who live in mobile home parks.
Department renamed and faster water contracts
The Department of Environmental Quality is now the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. The new department’s duties stay the same under the new name. Water‑infrastructure contracts by the department do not have to follow certain state procurement rules, which can speed projects and help contractors.
Water well registration now $240
You must pay $240 for each water well registration. Some wells can be registered as a series under set rules, which changes how many $240 charges apply. The state splits registration fees: the department keeps the amount needed to process and run the program, and the rest goes to the Water Well Decommissioning Fund. Certain contractor‑licensing fees go to the licensing fund.
2027 fees for water discharge permits
Beginning July 1, 2027, NPDES and pretreatment permit applicants must pay an application fee. Permit holders also pay an annual fee. Fees cannot exceed the department’s actual costs. Permits issued under section 54-2428 are exempt. The Water Quality and Quantity Cash Fund collects these fees and pays to run clean‑water discharge programs.
State entry orders for cleanup work
If a property owner specifically denies access during an environmental investigation or cleanup, the department can order entry. The department must use the least intrusive methods and restore the property as close as possible to its original condition when done.
Litter fee collection and cleanup grants
The state keeps part of the litter fee to cover collection costs in a Litter Fee Collection Fund. The department gets the remaining litter‑fee money and, after a public hearing, a council sets yearly percentages for education, cleanups, and community recycling programs. Money supports litter reduction and recycling across the state.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Tom Brandt
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 26 • No: 1 • Other: 22
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 29 • No: 0 • Other: 20
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 26 • No: 2 • Other: 21
legislature vote • 4/1/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 36 • No: 12
legislature vote • 3/5/2026
Vote
Yes: 29 • No: 0 • Other: 20
legislature vote • 2/19/2026
Vote
Yes: 26 • No: 1 • Other: 22
legislature vote • 2/19/2026
Vote
Yes: 26 • No: 2 • Other: 21
legislature vote • 2/19/2026
Vote
Yes: 26 • No: 5 • Other: 18
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on April 7, 2026
4/7/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/1/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 36-12*-1
4/1/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/1/2026legislaturePresented to Governor on April 1, 2026
4/1/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading with ST58
3/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST58 filed
3/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST58 recorded
3/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER126 adopted
3/5/2026legislatureKauth FA388 withdrawn
3/5/2026legislatureBrandt FA1025 filed
3/5/2026legislatureBrandt FA1025 adopted
3/5/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
3/5/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER126
2/26/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER126 filed
2/26/2026legislatureNatural Resources AM1939 adopted
2/19/2026legislatureBrandt AM2182 filed
2/19/2026legislatureBrandt AM2182 adopted
2/19/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
2/19/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM1939
2/11/2026legislatureNatural Resources AM1939 filed
2/11/2026legislatureNatural Resources priority bill
2/6/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for January 21, 2026
1/14/2026legislatureReferred to Natural Resources Committee
1/9/2026legislatureKauth FA388 filed
1/8/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
4/7/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted