The Livestock Protection Act would eliminate the Nebraska Brand Committee and create a new voluntary inspection system in the state.
Legislative Bill (LB) 1258, introduced by Nebraska state Sen. Ben Hansen (R-16), would establish a new Division of Brand Registration, Brand Inspection, and Livestock Theft Investigation within the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
The bill would remove mandatory brand inspection requirements and create a voluntary, fee-based inspection system. A similar bill was introduced in the 2025 legislative session, but failed to pass.
In a Jan. 15 Facebook post, the Nebraska Brand Committee said it was discontinuing the use of the surcharge per inspection of $20 to cover mileage and replacing it with the statutorily mandated charge of “actual mileage incurred by the inspector to perform a physical inspection shall be paid by the party requesting inspection.” The move comes following a complaint filed with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
If passed, LB 1258 would take effect in 2027.
