LB 794 — Change and eliminate provisions relating to the Healthy Soils Task Force, require the Department of Agriculture to submit related documentation, and provide powers to natural resources districts regarding soil and water practices

LB794 LB794 2026 LEGISLATURELEGISLATIVE OFBILL NEBRASKA794 ONEApproved HUNDREDby NINTHthe LEGISLATUREGovernor SECONDFebruary SESSION24, LEGISLATIVE2026 BILL 794 FINAL READING   Introduced by DeKay, 40.

Read  firstA timeBILL JanuaryFOR 07,AN 2026ACT Committee:relating to natural resources;

Agriculture A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to natural resources;

Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, -1- LB794 LB794 2026 Section 1.

Elevated levels of nitrates in Nebraska's ground water are alarming as approximately eighty-eighty-five five percent of Nebraska residents rely on drinking water pumped from the ground.

(5) The Healthy Soils Task Force created under Laws 2019, LB243, -2- LB794 LB794 2026 section 2, section 2-402 concluded that healthier soils produced through best soil management practices improve yield stability, produce greater financial returns over time, reduce the need for chemical inputs, increase water infiltration rates and water storage capacity making soil more resilient to drought, flooding, and erosion, and protect and improve water quality.

To avoid -3- LB794 LB794 2026 duplication of effort, any such studies, investigations, surveys, research, or dissemination shall be in cooperation and coordination with the programs of the University of Nebraska, or any department thereof, and any other appropriate state agencies;

and -1- LB794 LB794 2026 (2) Conduct demonstration projects within the district on lands owned or controlled by this state or any of its agencies, with the cooperation of the agency administering and having jurisdiction thereof, and on any other lands within the district, upon obtaining the consent of the owners of such land or the necessary rights and interest in such lands, in order to demonstrate by example the means, methods, and measures by which soil and water resources may be conserved and soil erosion in the form of soil blowing and soil washing may be prevented and controlled.

-4- LB794 LB794 2026 (b) Promote (2) to promote methods of conducting the industry of agriculture with a view to increasing the production and facilitating the distribution thereof at the least cost;

(2) Prior to January 1, 2027, the Department of Agriculture shall electronically submit, to the Clerk of the Legislature, the following -5- LB794 LB794 2026 relating to the Healthy Soils Task Force created under Laws 2019, LB243, section 2:

(2) Any unexpended balance in the Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners Administrative Fund at the close of any biennium shall, when reappropriated, be available for the uses and purposes of the fund for -6- LB794 LB794 2026 the succeeding biennium.

-2- LB794 LB794 2026 Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

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