Happy official first days of summer. The Summer Solstice took place this past week on June 21st. June has been busy throughout District 17 with the many celebrations taking place such as Emerson’s Tri-County Days; Pender’s Pender Celebration; and Wayne’s upcoming Chicken Show. I hope you have been able to get out and enjoy the different celebrations taking place.

LB562–Adopt the E-15 Access Standard Act and change provisions of the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Act, the Nebraska Higher Blend Tax Credit Act, and the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority Act, and the Nebraska Pure Food Act–This was Senator Myron Dorn’s priority bill this session. This bill is intended to increase consumer access to E-15 in Nebraska. This bill requires motor fuel retail dealers in Nebraska to advertise and sell E-15 from at least 50% of their qualifying dispensers if they build a new retail motor fuel site or replace more than 80% of the motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure at an existing site beginning in 2024. (“E-15 requirement for retailers approved”. Unicameral Update. May 30, 2023. http://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=34498).

This bill was amended to include portions of Senator Tom Brandt’s bill, LB116. This proposal is intended to help more farmers and ranchers qualify for benefits under the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Act, which provides tax exemptions and credits for beginning farmers and livestock producers and for owners of certain agricultural assets who rent those assets to them. The amendment would repeal a minimum acreage requirement and extend the deadline for applications under the act from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2027. A farmer or livestock producer could qualify for the program if they have a net worth of no more than $750,000 and they would have to be of legal age to enter into and be legally responsible for a binding contract or lease. The credits would be capped at $2 million each year. (“E-15 proposal expanded, advanced to final round”. Unicameral Update. May 10, 2023. http://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=34303)
This bill also amended Senator Tony Vargas’s LB720 which simplifies the permitting process for food trucks.

LB562 was signed into law on June 1, 2023. During the signing event, Governor Pillen hosted a food truck from Norfolk that ran on E-15. “This is a great day for agriculture in Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “It gives drivers more choices as to what fuel they buy, improves a program to help new farmers and provides clarification for a growing industry that is catching fire across communities large and small – food trucks.” (“E15 Food Truck Serves Guests, as Governor Pillen Signs LB562”. Governor Pillen Press Release. June 1, 2023. https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/e15-food-truck-serves-guests-governor-pillen-signs-lb562)

As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by contacting me by calling (402) 471-2716 or emailing me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.