Rep. Tom Brandt

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Natural Resources Committee to conduct an interim study on natural gas production issues. The study will assess whether natural gas companies have enough capacity to meet home heating, power generation, ethanol production, and agricultural needs. It will also evaluate pipeline infrastructure, storage capabilities, and the affordability of rising natural gas prices. The committee is required to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature after completing the study.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates state funding to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 759, which addresses environmental management issues. It directs $830,000 from the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment Cash Fund for two fiscal years to fund Program 334, and an additional $600,000 from livestock and solid waste management funds for Program 513. The money is restricted from being used for employee salaries and per diems, ensuring it supports program operations rather than personnel costs. These appropriations enable the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment to carry out the specific provisions established in the related environmental legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates funding to the Nebraska Department of Revenue to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 815. It provides $137,300 for the 2026-27 fiscal year and $136,300 for the 2027-28 fiscal year from the Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement and Collection Cash Fund. The funds are designated for program 111 and include limits on salary and per diem expenditures of $99,500 and $102,500 respectively for the two fiscal years. This appropriation ensures the department has the necessary resources to carry out the provisions established in the related legislative bill.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment (LR 298CA) would require that 44.5% of Nebraska lottery proceeds, after covering prizes and operating costs, be allocated to the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund. The fund must use these funds exclusively for conservation projects like protecting natural habitats, wildlife, water resources, and scenic areas through competitive grants. It applies to all lottery revenue generated under Nebraska's existing lottery system and requires voter approval in November 2026 to take effect. The amendment does not create new taxes but mandates specific spending from current lottery revenue.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 761 creates a new fund and adjusts water well registration fees for different well types. It changes fee amounts for industrial wells, geothermal installations, monitoring wells, and irrigation systems, requiring specific registration fees based on use. The bill redirects $1.384 million annually from the Integrated Solid Waste Management Fund to the Superfund Cost Share Fund, as specified in existing law. These changes affect well owners who pay registration fees and the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, which manages the funds and fee collection.

Maddy summaryLB 759 updates Nebraska's water well licensing and management systems. It adds a new representative category for municipal/industrial water well contractors to the Water Well Standards Board and adjusts board composition requirements. The bill also clarifies the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment's authority to manage the Perkins County Canal Project, including land acquisition and dispute resolution. Additionally, it changes how funds from the Nebraska Litter Reduction and Recycling Fund are allocated and distributed. These changes directly affect water well contractors, the Department, and recipients of litter reduction funds.

Maddy summaryLB 760 amends Nebraska's Environmental Safety Act to transfer regulatory authority for swimming pools, recreation camps, and mobile home parks from the state Department of Water, Energy, and Environment to local governments (counties, cities, and villages). The bill eliminates requirements for private water supply and sewage disposal facilities, removes the Environmental Safety Cash Fund, and repeals multiple outdated sections of the law. These changes streamline state regulations by shifting oversight to local jurisdictions and removing redundant provisions. The bill directly affects local governments, businesses operating in the specified facilities, and residents using those services.

Maddy summaryLB 1008 amends Nebraska's School District Property Tax Relief Act to revise the minimum annual funding levels for property tax relief. It sets specific minimum relief amounts for tax years 2024 through 2030 (e.g., $750 million for 2024, $902 million for 2030) and establishes a formula for future years: prior year's minimum plus the percentage increase in statewide property values (as determined by the Department of Revenue) plus $75 million. The bill also adds a provision requiring funds transferred to the relief fund under Section 77-4602 to be included in the annual relief calculation. This amendment replaces the original funding structure in Section 77-7305 of the Revised Statutes.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 979 amends the Game Law and State Boat Act to update funding rules and clarify enforcement procedures. It creates a "Game Law Investigation Cash Fund" requiring the Game and Parks Commission to submit detailed annual reports on expenditures - including agent salaries, wildlife purchases, and investigative equipment - to the Legislature. The bill specifies that $2 from each resident fishing permit and $2 from combination hunting/fishing permits must fund fish hatchery operations and distribution. These changes directly affect the Game and Parks Commission (which manages the funds), hunters and fishermen (who pay fees), and landowners seeking compensation for wildlife damage. The bill also refines definitions, such as clarifying "wildlife abatement" for managing animal-related threats.

Maddy summaryLB 815 imposes a 9.5-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel fuels, effective January 1, 2019, which must be paid by fuel producers, suppliers, and distributors. It changes the rules for refunding motor fuel taxes and eliminates the Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund, which previously provided financial support to ethanol producers. The bill also modifies or removes several provisions from the Ethanol Development Act that governed ethanol-related tax programs. Additionally, it repeals multiple sections of existing law related to fuel taxes and ethanol incentives.