44 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 Nebraska Cattlemen Announces Policy Priorities MATTHEW MELCHOR | NC DIRECTOR OF STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Following a comprehensive review of more than 70 bills and constitutional amendments by the NC Legislative Committee, the Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) Board of Directors has announced its policy priorities for the second half of the 109th Legislature. These priorities reflect the organization’s continued commitment to protecting Nebraska’s beef producers, strengthening rural communities and ensuring that state policy supports a competitive and sustainable agricultural economy. LB977 MOTORISTS ENCOUNTERING LIVESTOCK ON ROADWAYS NC strongly supports LB977, a bill designed to enhance safety for producers, motorists and livestock on Nebraska’s roadways. The legislation would update the definition of “vulnerable road user” to include livestock handlers, requiring drivers to yield when encountering livestock being led, herded or driven. For many producers, moving animals along or across roadways remains a necessary and essential part of daily operations, particularly where alternative routes are blocked or limited. LB977 provides a commonsense framework that NC believes reduces risk, improves clarity and makes roads and highways safer for cattle producers, the animals themselves and the motorists driving their vehicle. The bill was introduced by Sen. Tanya Storer (Whitman) and heard in the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on Feb. 2, where NC delivered supporting testimony. LB814 VALUATION OF AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL LAND NC also supports LB814, which proposes reducing the taxable value of agricultural and horticultural land from 75 percent to 50 percent. This change would provide meaningful, direct property tax relief to producers across the state. Agricultural landowners continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of Nebraska’s property tax burden, and LB814 represents a substantive step toward a more predictable and equitable tax structure. Introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt (Plymouth), the bill received testimony from the Ag Leaders Working Group, a coalition of nine agricultural organizations representing 95 percent of Nebraska’s agricultural production. MULTIPLE BILLS MODIFICATIONS TO NEBRASKA BRAND STATUTES NC reaffirmed its position to oppose voluntary statewide brand inspection and to support the Nebraska Brand Committee as a standalone entity. Additionally, NC reaffirmed its POLICY
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