Fentanyl, domestic violence and livestock brand bills discussed in Senator Storer’s weekly column

BY: Senator Tanya Storer

This week, the Judiciary Committee held hearings on LB817 and LB818, two bills I am carrying to strengthen Nebraska law on issues affecting public safety.

Fentanyl use results in far more overdose deaths than all other drugs combined; however, under current law, fentanyl dealers are subject to lesser sentences than those for dealing methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. LB817 corrects this by establishing weight-based felony penalties for fentanyl trafficking that align with those penalties for other hard drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.

Nebraska continues to see an increase in domestic violence cases, a troubling trend that we cannot ignore. Last year alone, Nebraska saw 30 domestic abuse-related victim deaths. LB818 will strengthen Nebraska's domestic violence laws by increasing penalties for the most serious assault offenses and for repeat offenders, to include reckless conduct with a dangerous instrument that causes bodily injury. Importantly, it ensures that prior convictions from other states, tribal or federal courts count toward enhanced penalties, so offenders cannot escape consequences based on where previous crimes occurred.

Both of these bills address serious threats facing Nebraska families. Fentanyl is driving overdose deaths across our state, often involving unsuspecting victims who don't know what they're taking. Domestic violence continues to devastate families, and repeat offenders too often exploit gaps in our laws to avoid accountability. LB817 and 818 provide law enforcement and prosecutors with stronger tools to protect our communities and hold dangerous offenders accountable.

This week also saw the introduction of LB1258, a bill that would restructure Nebraska's livestock brand system. The bill would eliminate the Nebraska Brand Committee entirely, transferring its functions to the Department of Agriculture. Most significantly, it would end mandatory brand inspections in Nebraska's brand inspection area, making inspections voluntary statewide instead. In short, it would dismantle meaningful oversight for Nebraska’s #1 economic driver, which generates over $12 billion in revenue annually.

Those proposing these changes are not in the cattle business, and to my knowledge, have never owned 1 head of livestock, yet their proposal guts the protections that mandatory inspections provide and mocks the value of the industry to Nebraska’s economy as a whole. It is unacceptable and downright insulting to the industry. Maintaining accurate proof of ownership and inspection is critical to preserving the integrity of Nebraska's most valuable and mobile commodity asset—our cattle. While the system can evolve to reflect changes to our industry, eliminating meaningful oversight and proof of ownership crosses a line I will not support.

The Brand Committee plays a critical role in protecting producers, deterring theft, ensuring lawful transfer of livestock, and maintaining market integrity. Any changes to the system should be made carefully, with input from those who work directly in the cattle industry, not imposed by those unfamiliar with its day to day realities. Modernization efforts must not compromise the protections that have kept Nebraska's cattle industry strong for generations.

As the session continues, I will stay engaged to ensure these measures reflect the needs of Nebraskans and protect public safety, property, and our agricultural economy. Those who are interested in testifying or providing comments on the Brand Bill will have opportunities to do so, and I encourage you to check the legislative calendar or call my office for times and dates. We anticipate this will be scheduled within the next week. Please feel free to reach out to my office at any time to ask questions or learn how to submit online comments.

Respectfully,

Senator Tanya Storer

 

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