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 county permitting process, after the bill was debated and advanced to Select File in the Nebraska Legislature.

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

Following the planning commission’s recommendation, county boards would be held to similar standards, with 90 days to issue a final decision after determining an application is complete. The bill also includes a requirement that planning commission and county board members complete two hours of relevant education each term to ensure informed and consistent decision-making.

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

Farm Bureau members have long expressed concerns about prolonged and inconsistent county permitting processes that can create uncertainty, stall projects and increase costs for agricultural operations and rural businesses. LB663 does not change local control or eliminate public input, but it does ensure that decisions move forward in a timely and transparent manner.

With the bill now advanced to Select File, only two steps remain before it can be sent to the governor: approval on Select File and Final Reading.

Nebraska Farm Bureau is encouraging its members to take action to help get LB663 over the finish line. An action alert has been issued urging 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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