The bill amends various sections of the Game and Parks Commission laws in Nebraska, introducing new provisions and modifying existing regulations to enhance wildlife management and conservation efforts. Key changes include the redefinition of "wildlife abatement," the establishment of a Game Law Investigation Cash Fund for enforcement investigations, and the creation of a Game and Parks Commission Educational Fund to support youth education programs related to wildlife conservation. The commission is authorized to charge reasonable fees for educational programs, with proceeds directed to the Educational Fund. Additionally, the bill modifies the fee structure for lifetime hunting and fishing permits, ensuring that fees do not exceed twenty times the annual fee for such permits, and updates regulations surrounding the issuance of licenses, permits, and stamps, including provisions for electronic issuance and the collection of additional clerical fees.

The bill also introduces a limited permit system for hunting mountain lions, requiring applicants to be Nebraska residents who own or lease a specified amount of agricultural land, with application fees set at half the regular permit cost for qualifying landowners. It establishes a framework for issuing limited permits for various species, including deer, antelope, wild turkey, elk, and mountain lion, and outlines specific eligibility criteria based on land ownership or leasehold status. Furthermore, the bill mandates a preference point system for certain permits, allowing hunters to accumulate points for future applications, and classifies violations of the established rules and regulations as misdemeanors with specified fines. Overall, the bill aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the commission's financial activities while promoting sustainable hunting practices in Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 37-201, 37-247.01, 37-324, 37-327.01, 37-327.04, 37-406, 37-415, 37-431, 37-447, 37-449, 37-450, 37-451, 37-456.01, 37-484, 37-1214, 37-1241.02
Final Reading: 37-201, 37-247.01, 37-324, 37-327.01, 37-327.04, 37-406, 37-415, 37-431, 37-447, 37-449, 37-450, 37-451, 37-455, 37-456, 37-456.01, 37-457, 37-484, 37-1214, 37-1241.02
Slip Law: 37-201, 37-247.01, 37-324, 37-327.01, 37-327.04, 37-406, 37-415, 37-431, 37-447, 37-449, 37-450, 37-451, 37-455, 37-456, 37-456.01, 37-457, 37-484, 37-1214, 37-1241.02