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 for open burning. The permits must now include additional information such as whether the burning is classified as prescribed or controlled, and the approximate number of acres to be burned. The bill also allows local fire departments to set additional requirements for permits and to charge a fee for issuing them, while ensuring that no fees are collected from state or political subdivisions conducting official duties.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the definitions of "controlled burning" and "prescribed burning," emphasizing their roles in managing vegetation and preventing wildfires. It requires landowners or their agents to submit a detailed plan for land-management burning, which includes information about the land, supervision, objectives, and safety measures. 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 The original sections of the statutes being amended are repealed as part of this legislative update.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