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LB 665

Prohibit the use of certain electronic identification devices under the Animal Health and Disease Control Act

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tanya Storer

Nebraska LB 665 bans permanent livestock EIDs by foreign-adversary makers; allows voluntary non-foreign devices to preserve disease traceability and curb foreign surveillance risk.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 665

LB 665 – Summary

Overview
LB 665 seeks to amend Nebraska’s Animal Health and Disease Control Act to prohibit the use of electronic identification devices (EIDs) for livestock that are manufactured by foreign adversaries. The bill allows voluntary use of non-foreign-adversary EIDs and emphasizes protecting Nebraska’s livestock industry and food supply from potential foreign surveillance. It aligns state policy with national security concerns while preserving disease traceability and livestock management.

What the bill would do (Key provisions)
- Amendments and scope
- Repeals and replaces sections 54-2901, 54-2902, 54-2939, and 54-2948 to implement new EID requirements and prohibitions.
- Redefines the Animal Health and Disease Control Act’s framework and terminology to reflect the foreign-adversary prohibition.

  • Definition of “foreign adversary”

    • Defines “foreign adversary” as any foreign government or foreign nongovernment person determined to be a foreign adversary under 15 C.F.R. 791.4 (as of January 1, 2025).

  • Policy and purpose (Sec. 4)

    • Establishes Nebraska policy to protect livestock health, the economy, and privacy/security of agricultural data.
    • States that foreign-adversary surveillance threats to the livestock sector are a concern and that the department may use USDA/APHIS/VS standards to manage disease prevention and control.

  • Identification device requirements (Sec. 5)

    • Requires that official identification devices used for federal purposes follow 9 C.F.R. Part 86, with the act taking precedence if conflicting.
    • Prohibits the permanent identification of livestock with devices manufactured by entities that have direct or indirect ties to a foreign adversary.
    • States the department shall not require the use of any foreign-manufactured EID for identifying or tracking movement.
    • Maintains permitted removal circumstances (e.g., removal at slaughter, death, or per department approval).

  • Relationship to federal standards

    • If federal regulations conflict, the act’s provisions control over state rules to ensure non-foreign-manufactured EIDs are used for traceability where required.

Who would be affected
- Livestock producers and owners: allowed to use EIDs voluntarily, but only if not foreign-adversary manufactured; prohibited from using permanent EIDs tied to foreign adversaries.
- EID manufacturers and suppliers: heightened scrutiny of ownership/origin; potential market shift toward non-foreign-adversary devices.
- Nebraska Department of Agriculture: tasked with implementing and enforcing these provisions, including anti-foreign-manufactured EID requirements.
- Consumers and the broader food system: aim to reduce national-security-related surveillance risks while preserving disease traceability.

Procedural history and status
- Introduced: January 22, 2025 (Senator Storer as primary sponsor; Ibach was initially listed but later withdrawn).
- Hearing: February 11, 2025 (Agriculture Committee).
- Legislative actions show Ibach’s sponsorship withdrawn (2025-01-31); bill remains under Agriculture oversight.

Notes
- The bill reflects a balance between disease traceability and national security concerns regarding foreign surveillance via EIDs.
- If enacted, Nebraska would prohibit certain foreign-manufactured identification devices while permitting non-foreign-adversary EIDs on a voluntary basis.

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

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