(a) Encourage and promote, in every practicable manner, the interest of agriculture;

(b) Promote methods of conducting the industry of agriculture with a view to increasing the production and facilitating the distribution thereof at the least cost;

(c) Collect and publish statistics relating to the production and marketing of agricultural products, so far as such statistical information may be of value to the agricultural and allied interests of the state, and cooperate with the federal government in the matter of collecting and publishing such statistical information;

(d) Distribute or dispose of any remaining Weeds of the Great Plains books and supplemental inserts thereto that are in the possession of the department. By January 1, 2027, the State Treasurer shall transfer all money in the Weed Book Cash Fund to the Noxious Weed Cash Fund. All money collected from the sale of the publications shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to the Noxious Weed Cash Fund;

(e) Inquire into the causes of contagious, infectious, and communicable diseases among domestic animals and the means for the prevention and cure of the same;

(f) Execute and enforce all laws relating to matters within its jurisdiction and adopt and promulgate necessary rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of such laws;

(g) Employ special investigators who shall be appointed deputy state sheriffs by the Governor and who shall, upon qualifying for such office, possess all the powers which attach to such office, except that their powers and duties shall be restricted to the enforcement of the laws of the State of Nebraska within the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture;

(2) Prior to January 1, 2027, the Department of Agriculture shall electronically submit, to the Clerk of the Legislature, the following relating to the Healthy Soils Task Force created under Laws 2019, LB243, section 2:

(a) A copy of the comprehensive action plan submitted pursuant to section 2-404, as such section existed on January 1, 2021;

(b) A copy of the findings and recommendations reported pursuant to section 2-404, as such section existed on January 1, 2021; and

Source:Laws 1919, c. 190, tit. III, art. I, § 1, p. 453; C.S.1922, § 7294; C.S.1929, § 81-501; R.S.1943, § 81-201; Laws 1959, c. 424, § 3, p. 1424; Laws 1963, c. 509, § 1, p. 1622; Laws 1965, c. 459, § 22, p. 1462; Laws 1973, LB 201, § 2; Laws 1975, LB 320, § 1; Laws 1984, LB 976, § 2; Laws 1985, LB 460, § 6; Laws 2004, LB 869, § 8; Laws 2005, LB 51, § 1; Laws 2024, LB1301, § 21; Laws 2026, LB794, § 3; Laws 2026, LB948, § 11.
Note: The Revisor of Statutes has pursuant to section 49-769 correlated LB794, section 3, with LB948, section 11, to reflect all amendments.
Note: Changes made by LB794 became effective July 18, 2026. Changes made by LB948 became effective March 17, 2026.

Cross References

Animal Health and Disease Control Act, see section 54-2901.
Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act, see section 76-3701.

Annotations

Nebraska State Board of Agriculture is a corporation possessing no immunity from the enforcement of its honest debts and just obligations by the ordinary processes of the courts. Crete Mills v. Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, 132 Neb. 244, 271 N.W. 684 (1937).

The Department of Agriculture may provide (1) data and word processing services, (2) accounting and auditing services, (3) personnel services, (4) records management services, (5) printing, sorting, and mailing services, (6) statistical services, (7) such services necessary to carry out any duties or responsibilities placed upon the department by the Legislature, and (8) other related services in cooperation with, on behalf of, or for any board, commission, or political subdivision of the state or any other agency of the state or federal government.

Source:Laws 1983, LB 579, § 1; Laws 1991, LB 358, § 6.

In conjunction with providing services authorized pursuant to section 81-201.03, the Department of Agriculture shall develop a system of equitable billings and charges for such services. Such system of charges shall reflect, as nearly as may be practical, the actual share of costs incurred on behalf of or for such services to any board, commission, or political subdivision of the state or any other agency of the state or federal government. Any board, commission, or political subdivision of the state or any other agency of the state or federal government which uses such services shall pay for the services out of appropriated or available funds.

There is hereby created the Management Services Expense Revolving Fund. All gifts, grants, and fees or charges collected for such services from any source, including federal, state, public, or private sources, and any appropriation by the Legislature for such purpose shall be credited to such fund. Expenditures shall be made from the fund for the payment of expenses. Such payments shall be made by the Director of Agriculture. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.