Bill to Change Livestock Brand Act Advances

Since the start of the legislative session, Nebraska Farm Bureau's priority in the negotiations around the broader brand issue has been to ensure the continuation of the Nebraska Brand Committee with adequate funding and to protect the integrity of the brand inspection program. In addition, Farm Bureau also worked to ensure the cattle feeding sector continues to be a part of the overall brand program, after legislation was introduced last session to exempt feedlots from brand inspection.

This week, senators gave first round approval to LB 1187,legislation to make changes to Nebraska's Livestock Brand Act. Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara (District 40) introduced legislation to help ensure the financial solvency of Nebraska's Brand Committee by allowing the Committee to increase fees to support operations. However, the measure ultimately has become the vessel to address broader issues that have surfaced around the Nebraska Brand Committee and brand inspection program. These issues led to the introduction of another brand-related bill (LB 1258) this session to move Nebraska to a statewide voluntary brand inspection system, which Nebraska Farm Bureau actively opposed.

Nebraska Farm Bureau supported the original "fee only"version of LB 1187 and opposed advancing the bill to the floor with additional structural changes. During an Agriculture Committee hearing held prior to the Committee advancing the bill to General File, Nebraska Farm Bureau opposed AM 2503, which would have significantly altered the underlying bill.

On Wednesday, senators took up LB 1187 on first round debate, where the body adopted an amendment offered by Sen. Mike Jacobson (AM3037). The Jacobson amendment was a product of considerable negotiations with stakeholders, including the Nebraska Farm Bureau, following the Agriculture Committee's decision to advance the bill, despite considerable opposition to the Committee's proposal to make broader structural changes to the Brand Committee and the inspection program.

Upon adoption, the Jacobson amendment (AM 3037) effectively became the bill. The amendment includes numerous provisions, and among the more notable changes are provisions to:

· Establish five districts across the state where each district would have a cow-calf representative on the Brand Committee. In addition, the Brand Committee would add a livestock auction market representative and a cattle feeder from within the brand inspection area. Nebraska Farm Bureau advocated for ensuring strong cow-calf representation on the Committee.

· Allow the Brand Committee to adjust the inspection fee up to $1.50 per head, a change from the current $1.10 maximum. Nebraska Farm Bureau advocated for the additional fee authority for the Brand Committee.

· Fees for registered feedlots would be adjusted to 25% of the brand inspection fee.Nebraska Farm Bureau advocated for the fee to be set at 35% of the brand inspection.

· Feedlots which currently have no mandatory audit requirements would be subject to no less than two audits per year. Nebraska Farm Bureau advocated for two full audits.

The Jacobson amendment passed with 39 yes, 1 no vote and 7present not voting. LB 1187 as amended with the Jacobson amendment advanced to Select File (second round debate) with 36 yes, 4 no votes and 7 present not voting.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau public policy team is available to answer any questions at any time. Please reach out. Inquiries are welcome.

‍