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LB 377

Change term limits for the Game and Parks Commission

109th Legislature (2025-2026)

LB 377 raises the Game and Parks Commission term limit to three full four-year terms, boosting continuity for Nebraska wildlife and outdoor programs.

Approved by Governor on March 17, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 377

Summary — LB 377 (2025)

Title: Change term limits for the Game and Parks Commission
Statute amended: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 37‑101 (Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska)
Introduced: Jan 16, 2025 (Natural Resources Committee) — Approved by Governor: Mar 17, 2025

Purpose

LB 377 revises member term-limit provisions for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, increasing the maximum number of full terms a commissioner may serve. The bill also removes or updates obsolete statutory language in section 37‑101.

Key provisions

  • Changes the term‑limit cap in § 37‑101(2)(c) so that no person who has served three full terms (previously two full terms) is eligible for reappointment to the Commission.
  • Retains existing structure and qualification rules for the Commission:
    • Commission consists of nine members (one from each of eight districts and one at‑large), appointed by the Governor with the Legislature’s consent.
    • Members must be Nebraska residents and citizens, with at least three engaged in agricultural pursuits.
    • No more than five members may be affiliated with the same political party; district residents required for district seats.
    • Vacancy, appointment, term start dates, and removal procedures remain unchanged.
  • The bill’s caption and title also state intent to eliminate obsolete provisions in the section; the statutory citation and transitional language relating to earlier term‑length transitions are addressed in the amendment and by repeal of the original section.

Who is affected

  • Current and future members of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: eligible for an additional consecutive full four‑year term compared with the prior limit.
  • Executive and legislative branches: appointment and confirmation processes are unchanged.
  • Stakeholders in state wildlife, parks, and outdoor recreation (e.g., conservation groups, hunting/fishing communities) may see indirect effects from potentially greater continuity in Commission membership.

Legislative and procedural timeline

  • Referred to Natural Resources Committee: Jan 21, 2025; committee hearing Jan 29, 2025 (proponents: Sen. Tom Brandt, Dan Hughes; neutral: Timothy McCoy, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission).
  • Advanced through General File, Select File, and Final Reading (Final Reading vote: 40–6–3).
  • A floor amendment (FA36, filed by Sen. M. Cavanaugh) was filed but not considered; a motion to return the bill to Select File failed.
  • Presented to Governor Mar 13, 2025; approved Mar 17, 2025.

Practical impact and considerations

  • The principal, direct effect is modest: commissioners may now serve up to three full four‑year terms, increasing continuity and institutional memory on the Commission.
  • No immediate fiscal impacts are specified in the bill text. Changes do not alter appointment, qualification, or removal authorities.

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

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