Bill > LB145

This bill modifies the Noxious Weed Control Act by requiring (rather than allowing) the Director of Agriculture to administer a grant program for noxious weed control, and changes the legislative intent for annual appropriations. Specifically, the bill changes the language from "may" to "shall" regarding grant administration, updating the director's obligations for managing grants to local control authorities and weed management entities. The bill maintains the existing detailed criteria for grant applications, which include purposes like conducting research, demonstrating innovative control methods, responding to invasive plant threats, and conducting educational activities. Importantly, the bill shifts the fiscal year for appropriations from 2022-23 to 2025-26 and increases the intended annual appropriation from three to six million dollars, specifically for vegetation management within natural stream banks or flood plains. The primary goal of these grants is to improve streamflow conveyance, with priority given to river basins subject to interstate compacts or decrees. The bill preserves existing provisions that require landowners to control noxious weeds on their property and allows the Department of Agriculture to create necessary regulations for implementing the program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59365