Nebraska Approves Agriculture, Infrastructure Security Bill

LINCOLN, Neb. — Lawmakers approved a measure aimed at protecting the state's agricultural sector and critical infrastructure from foreign adversary threats on April 10, sending the bill to Gov. Jim Pillen for signature.

Legislative Bill 1096, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar at the request of the governor, addresses biosecurity and infrastructure vulnerabilities identified in the state's annual threat assessment. The bill aims to protect the state's agriculture and economy by criminalizing the illegal import of dangerous pathogens or pests.

Under the measure, unauthorized possession or importation of high-risk agricultural pathogens or pests would be a Class III felony, punishable by up to four years in prison, two years of post-release supervision, a $25,000 fine or both. The offense could be elevated to a Class IIA felony if it involves concealment of the pathogen's origin, is committed on behalf of or funded by a foreign government or results in more than $1 million in economic damage.

The bill also exempts certain sensitive infrastructure and cybersecurity information from Nebraska's public records laws and defines critical infrastructure to include water, telecommunications, broadband and 911 systems. The measure would restrict contracts allowing foreign-linked entities to access or control those systems, with limited exceptions.

The legislation comes as Nebraska faces heightened national security concerns. Nebraska's agriculture industry generates approximately 5.4% of total U.S. farm sales, making it an attractive target for foreign adversaries. According to state officials, China's dominance in key supply chains could disrupt Nebraska's fertilizer and biotech inputs during trade disputes, amplifying risk to crop yields and livestock.

Earlier amendments to LB 1096 had narrowed the bill's scope after some lawmakers expressed concerns about unintended consequences on business incentives and whether certain issues should be addressed at the federal rather than state level.