# Nebraska Agriculture Committee Reviews Multiple Farm Policy Modernizations  
**Published:** 2026-05-15T15:08:31.000Z  
**Source:** [Unicameral Update (NE Legislature)](https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=41122)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/nebraska-agriculture-committee-reviews-multiple-farm-policy-modernizations

The Nebraska Legislature's Agriculture Committee considered a range of measures this 2026 session aimed at modernizing regulations affecting major aspects of the state's farming and ranching industries, according to a [legislative review](https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=41122).

The committee advanced a bill that would restructure the Nebraska Ethanol Board, adjusting both its membership and funding model to add ethanol producers to the board, which has traditionally been composed primarily of farmers and other agricultural interests. The measure, introduced by Plymouth Sen. Tom Brandt, expands the Nebraska Ethanol Board from seven to nine members to include more ethanol producers and requires that an existing business seat be held by a producer beginning Sept. 1.

Lawmakers considered a pair of bills aimed at tightening oversight of grain dealers following the Hansen-Mueller bankruptcy, which left farmers with unpaid grain deliveries, with proposals designed to improve transparency and identify financial trouble sooner, though supporters acknowledge the proposals are not a guarantee against future failures. The measure would replace the current $100 annual grain dealer license fee with a fee established by the Nebraska Public Service Commission, capped at $1,500, with existing fees remaining in place until July 1, 2027, and the commission required to submit a proposed fee schedule to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2026.

A revamped proposal would increase the number of Brand Committee members from five to seven, including representatives from the cattle feeding and livestock auction industries, with legislation aimed at modernizing the committee's structure and rules while maintaining strong representation from the cattle industry. The Brand Committee investigates cattle theft and verifies ownership through brand inspection when cattle are bought, sold or moved within or beyond the branding zone or area set in state law.

The committee also discussed possible funding changes for the state's noxious weed program and reviewed updates to regulations governing the ethanol industry, fertilizers, and soil conditioners, rounding out an agenda focused on ensuring Nebraska's agricultural regulatory framework remains current and responsive to industry needs.

## Sources

- [Unicameral Update (NE Legislature)](https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=41122)
- [Rural Radio: Ethanol Board changes, grain dealer reforms take shape at the Capitol](https://ruralradio.com/maxcountry/news/ethanol-board-changes-grain-dealer-reforms-take-shape-at-the-capitol-inside-the-unicameral/)
- [Unicameral Update: Ethanol board, fuel tax updated](https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=40893)
- [Lincoln Today: Nebraska Lawmakers Back Revamped Brand Bill After 'Compromise'](https://nationaltoday.com/us/ne/lincoln/news/2026/04/01/nebraska-lawmakers-back-revamped-brand-bill-after-compromise/)
- [Unicameral Update: Grain dealer measure clears first round](https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=40155)

---

This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Unicameral Update (NE Legislature), enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=41122.