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Nebraska Farm Bureau backs zoning bill to strengthen livestock industry

The president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau says a recently introduced bill that would change zoning regulations could help strengthen the state’s livestock industry.   

Mark McHargue says an inconsistent permitting process has made it harder for producers to grow their operations. He says the legislation would bring much-needed clarity for conditional-use permits. “It allows the counties to put their own zoning in that they think are required. Let’s follow the zoning regulations that are in place. Let’s not be moving the goal posts.”

He says it would create clearer standards for reviewing applications. “We need to be judging these applications by the facts, not by what might or could happen, but by actual definitions laid out in these applications and that they’re actually followed.”

LB 663 would also create timeline to allow the permits to move more quickly through the approval process. The legislation would also provide training for local governments to learn more about zoning regulations and processes.

McHargue says this is one of the organization’s priority bills this legislative session. The measure is a hold-over from last year, meaning it has already been introduced into committee.