All Roll Calls
Yes: 209 • No: 16
NebraskaLB948109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Change provisions of the Plant Protection and Plant Pest Act, change fees under the Pesticide Act, rename and change provisions of the Nebraska Commercial Fertilizer and Soil Conditioner Act, eliminate the Nebraska Poultry and Egg Resources Act, terminate a fund, and eliminate provisions relating to certain associations and societies
Sponsored By: Agriculture Committee
Signed by Governor
Agriculture Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 4 mixed.
New fees and rules for nursery sellers
Nursery sellers face tighter rules and costs. The director sets license fees each year by July 1 within legal caps. Selling nursery stock without a license triggers a penalty equal to 25% of the license fee per month, up to 100%. If you sell stock you grow, you must get a certification inspection and pay the inspection fee; late applications can be billed at $24 per hour, up to $27, including travel time. You must post signs that mark nursery stock areas.
Poultry and egg program ends after 2027
The Nebraska Poultry and Egg Resources Act ends on Dec 31, 2027. Until Jan 1, 2028, the poultry and egg committee is treated as a commodity board for conflict‑of‑interest reporting. Ending the Act may change supports or rules for poultry and egg producers.
New rules and fees for fertilizer sellers
Starting Jan 1, 2027, fertilizer and beneficial substance products must be registered before sale in Nebraska. The first distributor files two label copies and pays $50 per product; registrations end Dec 31 each year. Packaged soil conditioners need clear labels that list active and inactive ingredients, show inactive items over 2%, and, if microbes are claimed, an expiration date and storage steps. Distributors to final users must file tonnage reports by Jan 31 and July 31 and pay an inspection fee set by the director, up to $0.15 per ton, with a $5 minimum per filing. The facility license fee drops to $15 per site; renew by Jan 1 and post the license. All fees under these laws go to a state administrative fund to run the programs; up to $10,000 can support the Healthy Soils Task Force.
Old agriculture statutes are repealed
The law repeals many listed sections of state law. Those statutes and any programs or duties they contained are removed. The real‑world impact depends on which programs or requirements were in those sections.
State blocks local fertilizer rules
State law now overrides city and county rules on fertilizers, beneficial substances, and soil conditioners. It covers registration, labeling, sale, storage, transport, distribution, notice of use, and use. Cities and counties still control zoning. Natural resources districts keep their groundwater enforcement powers.
Stronger plant health inspections and funding
The Department of Agriculture can enter property at reasonable times to inspect plants, vehicles, equipment, labels, and records. It can take samples, hold lots, require treatment, seize or destroy plants, or order returns. If refused entry, the department can get a warrant and seek court orders. A Plant Protection and Plant Pest Cash Fund now pays to run the program. Money collected under the Act goes into this fund, and if the Nebraska Potato Development Fund ends, its balance transfers here.
Two reports a year for lime retailers
Retailers under the liming materials law must file six‑month reports twice a year. Reports are due by the last day of January and July. You pay an inspection fee set by the director, up to $0.10 per ton, with a $5 minimum per filing. Late payments add 25% per month, up to 100%; the director can waive penalties for good cause. Not filing or paying can cancel your registrations or license.
Lower pesticide fees and new fund splits
The pesticide registration fee drops from $201 to $160 per pesticide. The maximum fee the department may set is now $210. Each paid fee is split: $30 to the Noxious Weed Cash Fund (down from $50), $50 to the Buffer Strip Incentive Fund, $55 to the Natural Resources Water Quality Fund, and the rest to the Pesticide Administrative Cash Fund. The state created the Noxious Weed Cash Fund to run weed control. By Jan 1, 2027, all money in the Weed Book Cash Fund moves to the Noxious Weed Cash Fund.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Agriculture Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 26 • No: 2 • Other: 21
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 27 • No: 0 • Other: 22
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 1 • Other: 14
legislature vote • 3/12/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 35 • No: 10
legislature vote • 3/5/2026
Vote
Yes: 27 • No: 0 • Other: 22
legislature vote • 2/20/2026
Vote
Yes: 26 • No: 2 • Other: 21
legislature vote • 2/20/2026
Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 1 • Other: 14
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on March 16, 2026
3/17/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
3/12/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 35-10*-4
3/12/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
3/12/2026legislaturePresented to Governor on March 12, 2026
3/12/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading with ST59
3/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST59 filed
3/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST59 recorded
3/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER127 adopted
3/5/2026legislatureKauth FA604 withdrawn
3/5/2026legislatureDeKay AM2368 adopted
3/5/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
3/5/2026legislatureDeKay AM2368 filed
3/4/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER127
3/3/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER127 filed
3/3/2026legislatureDeKay AM2101 withdrawn
2/20/2026legislatureDeKay AM2169 to AM1976 filed
2/20/2026legislatureDeKay AM2169 adopted
2/20/2026legislatureAgriculture AM1976 adopted
2/20/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
2/20/2026legislatureAgriculture priority bill
2/19/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM1976
2/18/2026legislatureAgriculture AM1976 filed
2/18/2026legislatureDeKay AM2101 to AM1976 filed
2/18/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for January 27, 2026
1/14/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
3/17/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted