Read the full stored bill text
LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA
ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE
SECOND SESSION
LEGISLATIVE BILL 1220
Introduced by Brandt, 32.
Read first time January 21, 2026
Committee: Natural Resources
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to the Game and Parks Commission; to amend1
section 37-314, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska; to provide a2
duty to the commission; and to repeal the original section.3
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,4
LB1220
2026
LB1220
2026
-1-
Section 1. Section 37-314, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is1
amended to read: 2
37-314 (1) The commission shall may, in accordance with the Game3
Law, other provisions of law, and lawful rules and regulations, fix,4
prescribe, and publish rules and regulations regarding the methods or5
type, kind, and specifications of hunting, fur-harvesting, or fishing6
gear used in the taking of any game, game fish, nongame fish, game7
animals, fur-bearing animals, or game birds. Such rules and regulations8
may be amended, modified, or repealed from time to time and shall be9
based upon investigation and available but reliable data relative to such10
limitations and standards. 11
(2) The commission may, in accordance with the Game Law, other12
provisions of law, and lawful rules and regulations, pass and publish13
commission orders regarding (a) conservation orders authorized by the14
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, (b) open seasons and closed15
seasons, either permanent or temporary, (c) bag limits, including the16
age, sex, species, or area of the state in which any game, game fish,17
nongame fish, game animals, fur-bearing animals, or game birds may be18
taken, or (d) the taking of any particular kinds, species, or sizes of19
game, game fish, nongame fish, game animals, fur-bearing animals, and20
game birds in any designated waters or areas of this state. The21
commission may pass such commission orders after due investigation and22
having due regard to the distribution, abundance, economic value,23
breeding habits, migratory habits, and causes of depletion or24
extermination of the same in such designated waters or areas and having25
due regard to the volume of the hunting, fur harvesting, and fishing26
practiced therein and the climatic, seasonal, and other conditions27
affecting the protection, preservation, and propagation of the same in28
such waters or areas. The commission orders may be amended, modified, or29
repealed from time to time. Commission orders shall be based upon30
investigation and available but reliable data relative to such31
LB1220
2026
LB1220
2026
-2-
limitations and standards. 1
(3) The commission shall hold at least one public hearing in2
accordance with section 37-104 on each proposed commission order or3
amendment, modification, or repeal of a commission order and shall hold4
at least one public hearing in accordance with section 37-104, in5
addition to all other requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act,6
on each proposed rule and regulation or amendment, modification, or7
repeal of a rule or regulation. The commission shall give notice of such8
hearing to the public at least thirty days prior to the hearing by9
posting it on the commission's website. No commission order shall be10
valid against any person until fifteen days after such order has been11
posted on the commission's website. Each rule, regulation, amendment,12
modification, and repeal shall specify the date when it shall become13
effective and while it remains in effect shall have the force and effect14
of law. 15
(4) Regardless of the provisions of this section or of other16
provisions of the Game Law which empower the commission to set seasons on17
game birds, fish, or animals or provide the means and method by which18
such seasons are set or promulgated and regardless of the provisions of19
the Administrative Procedure Act, the commission may close or reopen any20
open season previously set on game birds, fish, or animals in all or any21
specific portion of the state. The commission shall only close or reopen22
such seasons by majority vote at a valid special meeting called under23
section 37-104 and other provisions of statutes regarding the holding of24
public meetings. Any closing or reopening of an open season previously25
set by the commission shall not be effective for at least twenty-four26
hours after such action by the commission. The commission shall make27
every effort to make available to all forms of the news media the28
information on any opening or closing of any open season on game birds,29
fish, or animals previously set. The commission may only use this special30
provision allowing the commission to open or close game bird, fish, or31
LB1220
2026
LB1220
2026
-3-
animal seasons previously set in emergency situations in which the1
continuation of the open season would result in grave danger to human2
life or property or to bird, fish, or wild animal populations. The3
commission may also close or reopen any season established by a4
conservation order under the same provisions pertaining to closing and5
reopening seasons in this section. 6
(5) Any person violating the rules and regulations adopted and7
promulgated or commission orders passed pursuant to this section shall be8
guilty of a Class III misdemeanor and shall be fined at least one hundred9
dollars upon conviction. 10
Sec. 2. Original section 37-314, Reissue Revised Statutes of11
Nebraska, is repealed. 12
LB1220
2026
LB1220
2026
-4-