Provide authority for animal control officers to enforce state or local animal control laws and provide immunity
Nebraska's LB 133 grants animal control officers - appointed by cities, towns, or counties - authority to enforce state and local animal welfare laws, including inspecting properties, impounding animals, and issuing citations for abandonment or cruelty. The bill provides legal immunity to these officers for property damage during enforcement, unless caused by their negligence. It standardizes procedures for seizing animals and requires courts to handle disposition within 10 business days of seizure, including notifying owners. This directly affects animal control officers, animal owners, and local governments by clarifying enforcement powers and reducing legal risks for officers.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Legislature Passage
May 2025
Legislature Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 13, 2025
Signed May 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Enrollment and Review ER47
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill was amended during the Enrollment and Review process to update its scope and definitions. The primary change is expanding the sections of law that are amended to include 28-1012 and 28-1012.01, which likely relate to animal control powers and duties. The definition of 'law enforcement officer' was also modified to include special investigators appointed as deputy state sheriffs acting under the Director of Agriculture. These changes clarify which officials have authority under animal cruelty statutes and ensure the bill aligns with related provisions in the Revised Statutes.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly includes sections 28-1012 and 28-1012.01 in its amendments, expanding its scope to cover additional animal control and enforcement provisions.
SCOPE
Added sections 28-1012 and 28-1012.01 to the list of statutes being amended, broadening the bill's legislative reach.
DEFINITION
Updated the definition of 'law enforcement officer' to include special investigators appointed as deputy state sheriffs under the Director of Agriculture, clarifying enforcement authority.
TECHNICAL
Changed the bill's introductory language to reflect the updated list of amended sections and added a reference to providing powers, duties, and immunity to animal control officers.
Floor votes · Legislature Apr 9, 2025
How they voted
40–0
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 49
Apr 9, 2025
N
Nonpartisan49
81% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
6
Committee
2
May 21, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor on May 20, 2025
executive
May 14, 2025
Legislature · Passed
President/Speaker signed
legislature
May 14, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Passed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 42-7*-0
legislature
Apr 24, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Enrollment and Review ER47 adopted
legislature
Apr 9, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Judiciary AM251 adopted
legislature
Feb 27, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Placed on General File with AM251
legislature
Jan 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary Committee
legislature
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced
Date of introduction
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Rick Holdcroft
NNonpartisan
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