2007 Session Review

Issues concerning corporate farming and the state fair topped agricultural discussions in 2007.

In 2006, the 8th Circuit District Court ruled that the state’s corporate farming law, known as Initiative 300, was unconstitutional. LB 516 was introduced by the Agriculture Committee in response to the court’s ruling.

LB 516 authorizes the committee and the attorney general’s office to contract with various experts in order to study options and create a plan regarding corporate farming in Nebraska.

LB 516 passed on a 45-0 vote.

After the Agriculture Committee heard several proposals regarding the future of the state fair, lawmakers passed a measure that will study state fair programming and facilities.
 
LB 435, sponsored by Sen. Ron Raikes of Lincoln, authorizes the committee to study programming needed to conduct a state fair, enhance other uses of a state fair campus and examine the costs to achieve such programming needs at State Fair Park or at a new site.

The study will include:
  • identification of the capital facilities and infrastructure required at the present state fair site to meet 15-year program needs, maximize off-season utilization and meet cash flow projections; and
  • identification of the capital facilities and infrastructure required at an alternative location to meet a comparable 15-year program need and 15-year cash flow projection.
The study will be assisted by analysis and recommendations from an independent consultant commissioned with the assistance of the state Department of Administrative Services. The cost of the study will be underwritten by contributions received by DAS for that purpose.

The independent consultant’s report will be submitted by Nov. 15. The committee will report its findings and recommendations by Dec. 15 after a public hearing.

LB 435 was passed by a 47-1 vote.

Sen. Philip Erdman
Sen. Philip Erdman
Senators also passed a bill that updates regulations for retail food establishments.

LB 74, sponsored by Bayard Sen. Philip Erdman, incorporates new U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations into the Nebraska Pure Food Act.

The U.S. Public Health Service updates the food code every four years. LB 74 creates a separate classification for food vendors who provide prepackaged food from temporary locations. The bill also raises the maximum fees paid by food establishments to account for inflation.

LB 74 was passed on a 42-0 vote. 

Regulation issues rounded out agricultural concerns this year.

Lawmakers passed a bill that makes changes to the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act.

LB 12, sponsored by Blair Sen. Mick Mines:
  • increases inspections performed under the law to include prelicensure inspection of all new license applicant and existing licensees at least once every two years;
  • establishes a graduated fee schedule for licensees based on the number of animals housed by a facility and sets a flat fee of $150 if the facility does not house dogs or cats;
  • provides funding for four additional inspectors and one veterinarian to carry out the increased inspection activity under the program; and
  • adds administrative fines as an enforcement option.
LB 12 was passed on a 44-1 vote.

Lawmakers passed a bill that will eventually require hybrid animals to be vaccinated against rabies.

LB 25, introduced by Sen. Chris Langemeier of Schuyler, defines a hybrid animal as a domestic dog bred with a nondomestic canine species and brings such animals within the rabies control provisions of state law. Previous law applied only to “domestic animals” defined as pet breeds of dogs and cats, thereby excluding hybrid animals. 

LB 25 imposes restrictions on the ownership of hybrid animals obtained after the effective date of the bill.  Currently, there is no proven rabies vaccine for hybrid animals. Under the bill, once a rabies vaccine for hybrid animals exists, owners of hybrid animals will have one year to properly vaccinate them.

LB 25 was passed by a 41-1 vote.