The bill amends section 37-314 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, which pertains to the duties of the Game and Parks Commission. It establishes that the commission "shall" have the authority to fix, prescribe, and publish rules and regulations regarding hunting, fur-harvesting, and fishing gear, as well as to pass and publish commission orders related to conservation, open and closed seasons, and bag limits. The commission is required to hold public hearings on proposed orders and regulations, providing at least thirty days' notice to the public via their website. Additionally, no commission order will be valid until fifteen days after it has been posted online.

The bill also introduces provisions allowing the commission to close or reopen previously set open seasons on game birds, fish, or animals in emergency situations that pose a grave danger to human life or wildlife populations. Such actions must be taken by a majority vote at a special meeting, and the commission is tasked with informing the media about any changes to these seasons. Violations of the established rules, regulations, or commission orders will result in a Class III misdemeanor and a minimum fine of one hundred dollars. The original section 37-314 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 37-314