Back to Nebraska

LB827 • 2026

The official site of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature

The official site of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature

Education Land
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Introduced By: DeKay
Last action
2026-04-17
Official status
Provisions/portions of LB827 amended into LB794 by AM2019
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Natural Resources District Programs

This bill amends the rules for natural resources districts to include new programs about soil and water conservation, education, and research.

What This Bill Does

  • Gives natural resource districts permission to conduct studies, investigations, surveys, and research on land after notifying the owner.
  • Requires that these activities be done in cooperation with the University of Nebraska or other state agencies.
  • Allows demonstration projects on lands owned by the state or controlled by its agencies, as well as private lands if owners agree.
  • Permits natural resource districts to establish educational programs and research practices to improve water quality, soil health, and water management.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Natural resources districts in Nebraska
  • Landowners whose property may be used for studies or demonstration projects

Terms To Know

natural resources district
A government body responsible for managing natural resources like water and soil.
demonstration project
An example project that shows how to protect or improve natural resources.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify who will fund these new programs.
  • It is unclear what specific educational events and research practices the districts can use.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-17 Nebraska Legislature

    Indefinitely postponed

  2. 2026-04-17 Nebraska Legislature

    Provisions/portions of LB827 amended into LB794 by AM2019

  3. 2026-02-11 Nebraska Legislature

    Passed over

  4. 2026-02-03 Nebraska Legislature

    Placed on General File

  5. 2026-01-23 Nebraska Legislature

    Cavanaugh, J. name added

  6. 2026-01-21 Nebraska Legislature

    Notice of hearing for January 28, 2026

  7. 2026-01-09 Nebraska Legislature

    Referred to Natural Resources Committee

  8. 2026-01-08 Nebraska Legislature

    Kauth FA456 filed

  9. 2026-01-07 Nebraska Legislature

    Date of introduction

Official Summary Text

The official site of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA
ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE
SECOND SESSION
LEGISLATIVE BILL 827

Introduced by DeKay, 40; Ibach, 44; Juarez, 5.
Read first time January 07, 2026
Committee: Natural Resources
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to natural resources districts; to amend1
section 2-3232, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska; to provide for2
programs relating to soil and water; and to repeal the original3
section. 4
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,5
LB827
2026
LB827
2026
-1-
Section 1. Section 2-3232, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is1
amended to read: 2
2-3232 Each district shall have the power and authority to:3
(1) Make studies, investigations, or surveys and do research as may4
be necessary to carry out its authorized purposes, enter upon any land,5
after notifying the owner or occupier, for the purpose of conducting such6
studies, investigations, surveys, and research, and publish and7
disseminate the results. Entry upon any property pursuant to this section8
shall not be considered trespass, and damages are not recoverable on that9
account alone. In case of any actual or demonstrable damage to premises,10
the district shall pay the owner of the premises the amount of the11
damages. Upon failure of the landowner and the district to agree upon the12
amount of damages, the landowner, in addition to any other available13
remedy, may file a petition as provided in section 76-705. To avoid14
duplication of effort, any such studies, investigations, surveys,15
research, or dissemination shall be in cooperation and coordination with16
the programs of the University of Nebraska, or any department thereof,17
and any other appropriate state agencies; and 18
(2) Conduct demonstration projects within the district on lands19
owned or controlled by this state or any of its agencies, with the20
cooperation of the agency administering and having jurisdiction thereof,21
and on any other lands within the district, upon obtaining the consent of22
the owners of such land or the necessary rights and interest in such23
lands, in order to demonstrate by example the means, methods, and24
measures by which soil and water resources may be conserved and soil25
erosion in the form of soil blowing and soil washing may be prevented and26
controlled. Demonstration projects shall be coordinated with the programs27
of the Agricultural Research Division of the University of Nebraska28
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources; and .29
(3) A natural resources district may establish or participate in30
programs to educate residents about or research practices to improve31
LB827
2026
LB827
2026
-2-
water quality, water quantity management, or soil health practices. Such1
programs may include conducting demonstration projects as provided in2
section 2-3232 and hosting educational events to inform agricultural3
producers and the general public about practices to protect and preserve4
natural resources in the state. A district may enter into agreements with5
agricultural producers, nonprofit organizations, companies, service6
organizations, political subdivisions, public or private postsecondary7
educational institutions, or state or federal agencies to establish or8
participate in such programs. 9
Sec. 2. Original section 2-3232, Reissue Revised Statutes of10
Nebraska, is repealed. 11
LB827
2026
LB827
2026
-3-