Nebraska Farm Bureau Backs Livestock Zoning Proposal as Bill Advances in Legislature

Nebraska Farm Bureau is voicing strong support for LB663,legislation aimed at creating a more consistent, transparent, and timely countypermitting process, after the bill was debated and advanced to Select File inthe Nebraska Legislature this week.

Introduced by Sen. Tanya Storer, LB663 establishesenforceable timelines for counties reviewing conditional use and specialexception permit applications. Under the bill, county planning commissionswould be required to determine whether an application is complete within 30 days.Once an application is deemed complete, the planning commission would have 90days to make a recommendation to approve or deny the request.

Following the planning commission’s recommendation, countyboards would be held to similar standards, with 90 days to issue a finaldecision after determining an application is complete. The bill also includes arequirement that planning commission and county board members complete twohours of relevant education each term to ensure informed and consistentdecision-making.

“Nebraska Farm Bureau supports LB663 because it bringspredictability and accountability to a process that directly impacts farmers,ranchers, and rural communities,” said Elisabeth Hurst, director of statelegislative affairs. “Producers need clear expectations and reasonabletimelines when they are making major investments in their operations. This billhelps ensure decisions are made objectively and without unnecessary delays.”

Farm Bureau members have long expressed concerns aboutprolonged and inconsistent county permitting processes that can createuncertainty, stall projects, and increase costs for agricultural operations andrural businesses. LB663 does not change local control or eliminate publicinput, but it does ensure that decisions move forward in a timely andtransparent manner.

With the bill now advanced to Select File, only two stepsremain before it can be sent to the governor: approval on Select File and FinalReading.

Nebraska Farm Bureau is encouraging its members to takeaction to help get LB663 over the finish line. An action alert has been issuedurging senators to continue supporting the bill and its common-sense reforms.

To contact your state senator and support LB663, visitNebraska Farm Bureau’s action alert at nefb.quorum.us/campaign/154170/.

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