This bill proposes a major overhaul of the Noxious Weed Control Act by transferring its administration from the Department of Agriculture to the newly established Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. It aims to redefine key terms, establish a grant program for local control authorities, and clarify legislative intent regarding noxious weed management. The bill prohibits the use of the Water Resources Cash Fund for administrative expenses and salaries of state agencies, while also eliminating outdated provisions related to the Noxious Weed Cash Fund. Additionally, it mandates the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment to administer a grant program focused on innovative control methods for invasive plant species, emphasizing collaboration with local stakeholders and prioritizing funding for projects aligned with the Riparian Vegetation Management Task Force's goals.

The bill also outlines the allocation and management of funds related to water resources in Nebraska, requiring that approved grant applications direct funds to the State Treasurer for the Water Resources Cash Fund. It authorizes a transfer of $3.3 million from the General Fund to the Water Resources Cash Fund for the fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-13, with an intent for a similar transfer in 2013-14. Furthermore, it establishes a subaccount within the Water Resources Cash Fund to track grant money from the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund and directs the State Treasurer to transfer $1 million from the Water Resources Cash Fund to the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Cash Fund between July 19, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The bill also repeals several sections of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska, indicating a significant update to the existing legal framework governing these funds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2-945.02, 2-953, 2-958, 2-958.02, 2-969, 61-218