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LB 145

Require the Director of Agriculture to administer a grant program relating to noxious weeds and restate intent regarding appropriations for vegetation management

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Teresa Ibach

LB 145 creates a grant program funded from the Noxious Weed Fund to support local weed control and vegetation management in riparian areas, prioritizing streamflow improvement.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 145

Summary of Nebraska LB 145 (2025)

Overview

  • Bill: Legislative Bill 145 (LB 145)
  • Introduced: January 13, 2025
  • Primary Sponsor: Senator Teresa Ibach
  • Committee: Agriculture
  • Status: Notice of hearing set for January 28, 2025
  • Chair of hearing: Senator Barry DeKay
  • Purpose (as stated in the introducer’s intent): Increase funding for vegetation management within banks and floodplains of natural streams and require the Director of Agriculture to administer a grant program relating to noxious weeds, reaffirming appropriations intent for vegetation management.

What the bill would do

LB 145 would:
- Amend the Noxious Weed Control Act by modifying how grant funding from the Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Species Assistance Fund is administered.
- Require the Director of Agriculture to administer a grant program to support local control authorities and other weed management entities in implementing and maintaining noxious weed control programs, including addressing special weed control problems.
- Restate the Legislature’s intent to appropriate funds for vegetation management in riparian areas, specifically within the banks or flood plains of natural streams.

Key provisions and changes

Grant program administration

  • From the Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Species Assistance Fund, the Director of Agriculture shall administer a grant program to assist local weed control authorities and other weed management entities.
  • Eligible grant purposes include:
    • Applied research to solve locally significant weed management problems.
    • Demonstration of innovative control methods or land management practices to reduce costs or improve effectiveness.
    • Encouraging formation of weed management entities.
    • Responding to introductions or infestations of invasive plants threatening cropland, rangeland, biodiversity, wildlife habitats, or fisheries.
    • Addressing special weed control problems not listed as noxious weeds, with director approval.
    • Monitoring, mapping, or surveying invasive species distributions and identifying vulnerable locations.
    • Educational activities related to weed management.

Prioritization and selection criteria

  • The Director shall prioritize applications based on factors including:
    • Seriousness of the weed problem or potential problem.
    • Ability to provide timely intervention to reduce current/future costs.
    • Likelihood the project will prevent or resolve problems or increase knowledge.
    • Leverage of federal or nonstate funds.
    • Progress already made in addressing problems.
    • Comprehensive approach to control/eradication.
    • Reduction or containment of infestation.
    • Use of integrated vegetation management principles and sound science.
    • Other relevant factors determined by the Director.

Funding for vegetation management and eligibility

  • Beginning in fiscal year 2025-26 (intent language indicates alignment with 2025-26), the bill restates an intent to appropriate $6 million annually for vegetation management within the banks or flood plains of natural streams.
  • Funds are to be used for activities and equipment as part of vegetation management programs whose primary objective is improving conveyance of streamflow in natural streams.
  • Grants under this subsection would be disbursed to weed management entities, local weed control authorities, and natural resources districts whose territory includes river basins, with priority to basins involved in interstate compacts or decrees.
  • The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission would assist grant recipients in implementing projects, and interlocal agreements under the Interlocal Cooperation Act or Joint Public Agency Act should be used where possible.

Other actions and compliance

  • The bill states that nothing changes the duties of control authorities under the Noxious Weed Control Act or the obligation to control weeds on lands owned or controlled by individuals.
  • The Department of Agriculture may adopt necessary rules and regulations to implement the section.
  • The Director may annually apply for conservation funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Who would be affected

  • Director of Agriculture (administrative authority over the grant program).
  • Local weed control authorities, weed management entities, and Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) with river basins eligible for grants.
  • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (support in implementing grant projects).
  • Entities in river basins subject to interstate compacts or decrees (priority in funding).
  • Interlocal entities (via Interlocal Cooperation Act or Joint Public Agency Act) to implement grants.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: January 13, 2025
  • Referred to: Agriculture Committee (January 15, 2025)
  • Notice of hearing: January 28, 2025
  • The bill would take effect if enacted, with the grant program and funding provisions implemented per the statutory changes.

Potential impact

  • Expands and formalizes a grant program to fund local weed management and vegetation/conveyance projects in riparian areas.
  • Increases annual funding for vegetation management in natural-stream banks/floodplains (targeting improved streamflow conveyance and ecosystem/land management).
  • Encourages collaboration among local authorities, NRDs, and state agencies (Game and Parks) and prioritizes basins with interstate actions.
  • Clarifies priorities and criteria for grant awards to better address both weed control and habitat/land management objectives.

If you’d like, I can compare LB 145 to current law text line-by-line or provide a quick FAQ-style briefing for policymakers or the public.

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

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