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NebraskaLB979109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

Change provisions of the Game Law and the State Boat Act

Sponsored By: Tom Brandt

Signed by Governor

Natural Resources Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 7 costs, 4 mixed.

Elk fees rise and harvest limits

A resident elk application fee can be up to $12; a nonresident application fee can be up to three times that. A resident elk permit can be up to $198; a nonresident permit can be up to three times that. Preference or bonus points can cost up to $24 for residents or $72 for nonresidents. You cannot harvest an antlered elk more than once every five years on a resident permit. In general, you are limited to one antlered elk in your lifetime, except with certain limited, auction, or lottery permits.

Higher deer and antelope permit costs

For random-draw units, the application fee can be up to $9. A resident deer or antelope permit can be up to $50. A nonresident deer permit can be up to $480. A nonresident antelope permit must be $369 to $480. Preference points can cost up to $24 for residents or $72 for nonresidents. The commission must set formal rules for preference points.

Lifetime hunting and fishing permit pricing

Lifetime permit fees are capped at 20 times the annual fee for the same permit. You must pay the full lifetime amount in one payment when you apply. The commission sets the annual fee that the cap multiplies.

More habitat funding and damage abatement

The commission can spend habitat and aquatic habitat fund fees and investment income with broader authority. Prior spending caps and the need to present a habitat plan to committees are removed. The State Game Fund can now pay for abatement of damage from deer, antelope, or elk. Wildlife abatement includes frightening, flushing, hazing, taking, or killing certain wildlife to manage threats.

Agents keep up to $4 per license

When you buy a license, permit, or stamp, the issuing agent can keep up to $4. That is $1 more than before. Expect up to $1 more per item you buy.

Mountain sheep fees and tougher penalties

Residents pay a nonrefundable application fee up to $44 for a mountain sheep permit. No extra permit fee is charged beyond that. Breaking mountain sheep permit rules is a Class III misdemeanor. A conviction carries a minimum $500 fine.

New turkey and paddlefish application fees

Turkey drawings can charge a nonrefundable application fee up to $9. A turkey permit can be up to $40 for residents or $214 for nonresidents. For paddlefish, the application fee can be up to $9. Preference points for either species can cost up to $24 for residents or $72 for nonresidents.

License for controlled shooting areas

To run a game-breeding or controlled-shooting area, you must get a license. The fee can be up to $258. Your application must be under oath. You must control 80 to 2,560 acres for at least five years by ownership or lease.

Boat registration fees and safety gear

Boat registration now runs for three years. Fees are $40 (Class 1), $60 (Class 2), $80 (Class 3), or $130 (Class 4). Up to $10 of each fee supports invasive species work. Everyone on a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved flotation device.

Landowner limited permits: options and caps

If you own 320+ acres or lease 640+ acres in a management zone, you can seek a limited mountain lion permit. A resident landowner’s application fee cannot be more than half of the regular fee. The law can favor applicants who did not get a limited permit in past years. Limited mountain lion permits in a unit cannot be more than 75% of regular permits. The commission has discretion on rules for free-earned landowner elk permits, which can affect how and when they are offered.

Education programs funded; class fees allowed

The education fund can receive more types of money, like credited amounts and gifts or grants. The commission can charge fees for fish and wildlife classes. Class fees cannot be more than staffing and material costs. All class fee money goes into the education fund.

Stronger enforcement and cleanup of old laws

The investigation fund must be reported each year by September 15. The report lists the June 30 balance, all spending, what it paid for, the number of paid informants, and results. It is a crime to buy, sell, or trade wildlife taken in violation of the Game Law. That offense is a Class I misdemeanor. The law also repeals many listed sections of the Game Law and State Boat Act as part of the reorganization.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tom Brandt

    Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 250 • No: 10

legislature vote • 4/9/2026

Final Reading

Yes: 37 • No: 10

legislature vote • 3/6/2026

Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15

legislature vote • 3/6/2026

Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15

legislature vote • 2/11/2026

Vote

Yes: 25 • No: 0 • Other: 24

legislature vote • 2/11/2026

Vote

Yes: 26 • No: 0 • Other: 23

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 26 • No: 0 • Other: 23

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15

Actions Timeline

  1. Provisions/portions of LB1232 amended into LB979 by AM2331

    4/17/2026legislature

  2. Approved by Governor on April 14, 2026

    4/14/2026legislature

  3. Presented to Governor on April 9, 2026

    4/9/2026legislature

  4. President/Speaker signed

    4/9/2026legislature

  5. Passed on Final Reading 37-10*-2

    4/9/2026legislature

  6. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    4/9/2026legislature

  7. Enrollment and Review ST63 recorded

    3/17/2026legislature

  8. Enrollment and Review ST63 filed

    3/17/2026legislature

  9. Placed on Final Reading with ST63

    3/17/2026legislature

  10. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    3/6/2026legislature

  11. Strommen AM2331 adopted

    3/6/2026legislature

  12. Brandt AM2147 adopted

    3/6/2026legislature

  13. Kauth FA635 withdrawn

    3/6/2026legislature

  14. Strommen AM2331 filed

    2/26/2026legislature

  15. Placed on Select File

    2/23/2026legislature

  16. Brandt AM2147 filed

    2/18/2026legislature

  17. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    2/11/2026legislature

  18. Natural Resources AM1877 adopted

    2/11/2026legislature

  19. Natural Resources AM1877 filed

    2/3/2026legislature

  20. Placed on General File with AM1877

    2/3/2026legislature

  21. Notice of hearing for January 22, 2026

    1/15/2026legislature

  22. Referred to Natural Resources Committee

    1/14/2026legislature

  23. Kauth FA635 filed

    1/13/2026legislature

  24. Date of introduction

    1/12/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/12/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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