This bill amends existing Nebraska statutes related to land-management burning by updating the permit application process and defining key terms associated with burning practices. It establishes a statewide open burning ban, which can be waived by local fire chiefs who issue permits containing specific information, including the type of burning (controlled or prescribed) and the approximate acreage to be burned. The bill also allows local fire departments to charge a fee for permits, which will contribute to their general funds, while ensuring that no fees are collected from state or political subdivisions conducting official duties.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definitions of "controlled burning" and "prescribed burning," outlining their purposes and applications in land management. It requires landowners or their agents to submit a detailed plan for land-management burning, which must include various elements such as a map of the burn area, equipment lists, and weather conditions necessary for safe burning. The fire chief is tasked with evaluating these plans to ensure compliance before issuing permits, which are valid for a maximum of thirty days. The original sections of the statutes being amended are repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 81-520.01, 81-520.03, 81-520.05
Final Reading: 81-520.01, 81-520.03, 81-520.05