All Roll Calls
Yes: 250 • No: 10
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
11 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 7 mixed.
Lifetime permit prices and free reprints
The law sets maximum one-time prices for lifetime permits. Examples: resident hunting up to $396; resident fishing up to $457 plus a lifetime aquatic habitat stamp; resident combo up to $792 plus the stamp; nonresident fishing up to $1,125 plus the stamp; nonresident combo up to $2,342 plus the stamp. You must pay the full amount in one lump sum when you apply. If your paper lifetime permit is lost or destroyed, you can get a replacement at no charge. This does not apply to commemorative brass plate permits.
New wildlife damage tools and payments
The law allows trained raptors to be used to scare, flush, haze, take, or kill certain wildlife for abatement when wildlife harms health, safety, or commerce. The state may pay Nebraska landowners for property damage from deer, antelope, or elk, using the State Game Fund and following federal rules.
Stronger safety rules for jet skis
Everyone on a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved lifejacket (Type I, II, III, or V) approved for that use. If the craft has a factory lanyard engine cutoff, the operator must clip the lanyard to their person, clothing, or lifejacket.
Stronger enforcement of game laws
The state creates a Game Law Investigation Cash Fund for investigations, equipment, and training to enforce the Game Law. It is funded by Game Law revenue and donations. Each year by September 15, the commission reports the June 30 balance, detailed spending, numbers of informants, and results to the Legislature. It is a Class I misdemeanor to possess, move, sell, buy, trade, import, export, or conspire to deal in wildlife taken in violation of the Game Law.
Turkey and paddlefish permit fee caps
Resident turkey permits can cost up to $31, and nonresident up to $164. Youth turkey permits can be up to $25 for residents and up to $45 for nonresidents. For random-draw turkey permits, the application fee can be up to $9, and turkey preference points up to $24 for residents and $72 for nonresidents. Resident paddlefish permits can be up to $35, and nonresident are twice that. The paddlefish application fee can be up to $7, and paddlefish preference points up to $24 for residents and $72 for nonresidents.
Boat fees reset; invasive species stamp
Three-year motorboat registration fees are set by class: Class 1 $28; Class 2 $51; Class 3 $72.50; Class 4 $120. No more than $10 from each registration goes to the aquatic invasive species program. If your motorboat is not registered in Nebraska, you must buy an aquatic invasive species stamp before launching. It can cost up to $30 plus any issuance fee, is valid for one calendar year, and must be affixed on the starboard rear side.
E-licenses and $1 lower agent fee
The commission can issue hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and stamps electronically and use ID numbers. Agents can still issue items. Their extra clerical fee is now capped at $3 per item, down from $4. Copying an electronic license, permit, or stamp is illegal. It is a Class III misdemeanor with at least a $75 fine, and the court confiscates the item.
Free-earned elk permit; tighter limits
Landowners or lessees can earn a free landowner elk permit after reporting enough antlerless elk harvested on their property. The commission sets the number needed and the reporting process, and harvests add up year to year. In each management unit, limited antelope, elk, and mountain lion permits cannot exceed 75% of the regular permits, which can make limited permits harder to get.
Youth wildlife education fund and fees
The state creates a fund for youth wildlife conservation education. The commission may charge program fees, but only up to the cost of staffing and materials. Fee proceeds go into the fund to support youth programs.
Shooting area license cap and Social Security number
The license fee for controlled shooting and game breeding areas is capped at $198. If you apply as an individual, you must list your Social Security number.
More fish hatchery and habitat rules
The law directs $2 from each annual resident fishing permit and $2 from each combination hunting and fishing permit to fish hatcheries and fish distribution. The commission may use up to 25% of Nebraska Habitat Fund receipts for access to private wildlife lands; 25% of lifetime habitat stamp fees are credited and invested, not spent. For the Aquatic Habitat Fund, certain fees are remitted, including $1 from one-day fishing permits. Up to 30% of annual receipts may fund angler access and administration; larger amounts need approval from the Appropriations and Natural Resources Committees.
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: 0 • Other: 23
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15
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: 26 • No: 0 • Other: 23
legislature vote • 2/11/2026
Vote
Yes: 25 • No: 0 • Other: 24
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on April 14, 2026
4/17/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/9/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading 37-10*-2
4/9/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/9/2026legislaturePresented to Governor on April 9, 2026
4/9/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading with ST63
3/17/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST63 filed
3/17/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST63 recorded
3/17/2026legislatureKauth FA635 withdrawn
3/6/2026legislatureBrandt AM2147 adopted
3/6/2026legislatureStrommen AM2331 adopted
3/6/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
3/6/2026legislatureStrommen AM2331 filed
2/26/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File
2/23/2026legislatureBrandt AM2147 filed
2/18/2026legislatureNatural Resources AM1877 adopted
2/11/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
2/11/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM1877
2/3/2026legislatureNatural Resources AM1877 filed
2/3/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for January 22, 2026
1/15/2026legislatureReferred to Natural Resources Committee
1/14/2026legislatureKauth FA635 filed
1/13/2026legislatureDate of introduction
1/12/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
4/17/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted