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LB 38

Change provisions of the Geologists Regulation Act

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Jacobson

Nebraska lowers licensure experience from 5 to 4 years and creates a new 15-year exempt-field pathway with 30 course hours, broadening licensure access.

Approved by Governor on February 25, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 38

LB 38 — Change provisions of the Geologists Regulation Act (Approved Feb 25, 2025)

Status
- Introduced: Jan 9, 2025 (Sen. Mike Jacobson)
- Committee: Natural Resources (hearing Jan 23, 2025; advanced with AM17)
- Final passage: Passed Final Reading 48–0–1 (Feb 21, 2025)
- Approved by Governor: Feb 25, 2025 (became law)

Purpose and intent
- Modernize and streamline the Geologists Regulation Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 81‑3501 – 81‑3541) by updating terminology, clarifying and reorganizing statutory language, simplifying licensure pathways, and improving administrative processes (including permitting electronic delivery and application processes).

Key substantive changes
1. Reduced experience requirement for licensure
- Lowers required geologic experience for licensure from 5 years to 4 years to align with national model language.

  1. New licensure pathway for practitioners in exempt fields

    • Allows individuals who have worked in an exempt field to qualify for licensure if they:
      • Document at least 15 years of experience in the exempt field, and
      • Complete at least 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of geology coursework covering board‑prescribed content domains. (A geology degree is not required.)

  2. Board composition and education member qualification

    • Revises Board of Geologists membership and terms (AM17: five‑year terms terminating the last day of February).
    • Permits a geology faculty member (of a Nebraska institution offering a geology/geologic specialty degree) to serve as the board’s education member even if not a licensed geologist.

  3. Administrative, definitional, and procedural updates

    • Updates, harmonizes, and reorders definitions and statutory language for clarity (several sections amended).
    • Removes antiquated provisions (including repealing sections 81‑3505 and 81‑3513) and provisions related to maintaining a printed roster of licensees.
    • Authorizes alternative delivery methods (electronic/mail alternatives) for board notices, applications, and renewals.
    • Adds/clarifies certificates of authorization, certificates of authority, temporary permits, geologist‑intern enrollment, reciprocity, and seals.
    • Allows fees to support online applications and database modernization (no specific fee amounts set in bill text).

Who is affected
- Licensed and prospective professional geologists in Nebraska (including geologist‑interns).
- Practitioners in fields previously exempt from licensure who may now pursue licensure via the new 15‑year pathway.
- Nebraska institutions and faculty (potential board members).
- Firms/organizations applying for certificates of authorization and entities interacting with board administrative processes.
- The Nebraska Board of Geologists (procedural responsibilities, examinations, and rulemaking implementation).

Procedural notes / amendments
- Committee amendment AM17 (adopted) adjusted board term language and minor edits (e.g., “oath or affirmation”).
- Enrollment & Review amendments (ER2, ST4) and sponsor amendment AM141 made technical and organizational changes (added references to certificates of authorization, temporary permits, geologist‑intern enrollment, reciprocity; clarified examination/discipline procedures).
- The act repeals prior versions of certain sections and replaces them with the consolidated changes described above.

Potential impacts
- Eases one pathway to licensure (reducing experience requirement) and creates an avenue for long‑experienced nondegree practitioners to become licensed, potentially increasing the licensed workforce.
- Broadens the pool for academic representation on the board.
- Modernizes administration (digital notifications/applications), improving efficiency but shifting some operational processes to electronic systems.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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