Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen, Farmers, Ranchers and Ag Industry Supporters Celebrate Passage of LB 525

GOTHENBURG, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen, Senator Mike Jacobson, and Sherry Vinton, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, joined members of Nebraska’s agricultural industry at the Machine Shed near Gothenburg to celebrate passage of a first of its kind bill for protecting agricultural data. LB 525 was introduced initially in the 2025 legislative session by Sen. Jacobson on behalf of Gov. Pillen and was passed this year. It establishes clear rules for the collection, processing and use of agricultural data in a way that best protects the privacy of farmers and ranchers who own the data.  

“Nebraska has always been a leader when it comes to agricultural innovation. LB 525 represents critical, forward-thinking policy when it comes to preserving the future of our family farms,” said Gov. Pillen. “Who better to lead the country in this space than us? Again, Nebraska is setting the standard – one that will add value and protect our state’s key economic engine -- agriculture.”

Over the past 30 years, agricultural production has been significantly transformed through advances in technology, just like many other industries. Farmers rely on GPS-guided steering in tractors, sprayers and combines, computerized seeding rate systems, variable-rate chemigation and irrigation technology, and real-time yield data captured during harvest. Every season, an incredible amount of information is collected that farmers and producers can capitalize on if properly it’s protected.  

“Agriculture is Nebraska's largest industry, and modern operations generate significant amounts of proprietary digital data that our producers rely on. I was proud to partner with Governor Pillen to pass LB 525 to establish clear legal protections for this valuable operational data, explicitly prohibiting its unauthorized sale and requiring reasonable security standards,” said Sen. Jacobsen. “As the first state in the nation to enact these specific digital privacy safeguards, Nebraska is not waiting for federal regulations to address this issue. Instead, we have enacted a practical, state-level framework that protects the private business records of our farmers and ranchers while ensuring technology providers respect the privacy rights of our producers.”

LB 525 addresses this digital evolution by clearly defining ‘agricultural data’ – a definition that previously did not exist in state statue. The legislation ensures that the unique expertise and production practices farmers develop through years of decision-making are legally protected under clear data ownership laws.

“This legislation brings important clarity for Nebraska farmers and ensures they maintain control of their data as agriculture continues to evolve,” said Michael Dibbern, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “It is an important step in supporting producers as they adopt new technology and make decisions for their operations.”

The heart of the legislation explicitly states that ag producers own the data originating from their farms and ranches. This puts them in the driver’s seat, permitting them to decide how to use their data, whom to share it with, and how to derive further value from it. Additionally, the law mandates clear, conspicuous disclosure, requiring written consent from the producer before a third party can sell the data.  

Under LB 525, all contracts and agreements involving agricultural data must be updated by January 1, 2027, to reflect these new statutory changes.

“Nebraska feeds the world and saves the planet,” added Gov. Pillen. “It’s a privilege to join the farmers and ranchers who do this work every day. By securing these data rights, we are securing the future of Nebraska agriculture.”

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen, Senators, Public Power Representatives Celebrate New Energy Opportunities Through LB 1261

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen ceremoniously signed legislation today that will help preserve current energy production in the state, establish requirements for facilities wishing to generate their own power and ensure that customers are not left to foot the bill for the additional usage. Surrounded by state senators and representatives from public power entities, the Governor signed LB1261, which was introduced on his behalf during the last legislative session by Senator Barry DeKay.

“Our state is once again taking a bold and strategic step – one that will create an environment that attracts business and multibillion dollar investment, while legally preserving Nebraska’s unique and consumer-friendly public power model,” said Gov. Pillen.

“LB1261 incentivizes private industries, bringing 1000+ MW hyperscale electric loads, to pay the full cost of building and maintaining their energy infrastructure,” added Sen. DeKay. “If these new hyperscale loads do materialize, this legislation protects public power by placing the cost burden on the private industry instead of the public -- the owners and ratepayers of public power.”  

LB 1261 alters the existing authority given to public power utility districts to exercise eminent domain over privately developed electricity generation facilities. To ensure quality for this exemption, a facility must strictly meet a multi-part statutory test. The privately funded generation facility must serve a single-user entity with a new electric load exceeding 1,000 megawatts at a single site, and it must be physically located on, or adjacent to, that large industrial customer. Furthermore, the project requires formal approval from the Nebraska Power Review Board. Parties must execute a long-term contract with the local public power district, and the facility can only be used to serve that specific industrial partner.

Crucially, the law shifts 100% of the financial burden for constructing new energy generation to the large corporation. The industrial customer must pay for all costs, grid upgrade fees, and congestion charges resulting from their project. This ensures that everyday residential and small-business ratepayers are not subsidizing massive grid upgrades needed for hyperscale facilities.

By balancing innovation with strict regulatory safeguards, this behind-the-meter legislation ensures Nebraska remains highly competitive for future development while safely anchoring the state’s existing infrastructure and protecting consumers for generations to come.

Today’s speakers highlighted the collaborative effort among private industry, public power and state senators to ensure the new law met the expectations of all involved.

“If the market should shift or if the purpose they’re trying to serve with these mega loads change, we don’t want public power taking that hit,” stressed Sen. Moser. “This bill allows public power to negotiate with these big power users to protect the ratepayers. The public power companies are required to serve people who want to use electricity. If we didn’t have this bill, they could be involved in building some really big behind-the-meter project, and then, should something go wrong, ratepayers would have to bail it out and that wouldn't be fair.”

“The public power industry appreciates the collaboration on LB 1261 with Governor Pillen, senators DeKay and Moser and numerous others to protect Nebraska electric consumers while promoting unique economic development opportunities,” added John McClure, the Nebraska Public Power District’s general counsel.

Speaking on behalf of Tenaska, Delette Marengo said LB 1261 represented the right approach for securing new energy resources and growing economic opportunities. Based in Nebraska, Tenaska is one of the largest privately held energy companies in the United States.

“LB 1261 also sends an important message beyond our borders: Nebraska understands the energy demands of the modern economy and is prepared to meet them in a way that protects consumers and respects our public power tradition. That matters when companies are deciding where to invest and where to build.”

"As I love to say, we’re incredibly open for business,” said Gov. Pillen. “When we look at the future, I think behind-the-meter is really transformative legislation. It’s a piece that we will look back on in years to come that had a gigantic impact on the state of Nebraska."

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Issues Statement Upon Departure of Hantavirus-Exposed Guests from UNMC

LINCOLN, NE -- Governor Jim Pillen issued the statement below following the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s (UNMC) announcement that, in coordination with the CDC and home state governments, some of the hantavirus-exposed guests who have been quarantined at the National Quarantine Unit (NQU) in Omaha will return home:

“This is a positive development and the product of the ongoing partnership between the state of Nebraska, UNMC, and our federal health partners. While it is encouraging that many of our guests are remaining at the NQU for the last few weeks of their hantavirus quarantine, those who have elected to go home are doing so with a lower risk profile and in close coordination with health authorities in their destination states.

As I have made clear from the beginning of this event, no guest who poses a public health risk will leave the NQU onto the streets of Omaha in an unsecured way or at an inappropriate time. These thoughtful and well-coordinated departures meet that standard.

I’m grateful to our counterparts in other state governments, our federal health partners in the Trump Administration, and the world-class professionals at UNMC for all their hard work.”

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Signs Executive Order Tackling Antisemitism in State’s Public Education System

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced a landmark executive order to further eradicate antisemitism. This order builds on prior actions by the Governor by requiring reporting, prevention and educational requirements throughout the state’s education system.  At today’s signing event, Gov. Pillen stood with Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, state senators and faith leaders supporting the new measures.

“Since the horrific attacks on Israel, we have seen an unacceptable surge in antisemitism across our nation, particularly on our high school and college campuses,” said Gov. Pillen. “In Nebraska, we do not tolerate hate, and our position has never waivered.”

Previous actions by the Governor have included an order to all state code agencies requiring utilization of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when investigating complaints of harassment and discrimination. He also joined more than two dozen other governors in urging the passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act in the U.S. Senate.

The current executive order will require that the state’s public education system and institutions of higher learning also adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism and mandates completion of an annual report to the Governor by Sept. 1 outlining all antisemitic incidents, findings, and investigation outcomes from the previous academic year. Additionally, the Department of Education is directed to provide both public and nonpublic schools with statewide professional development resources and supplemental curricula aligned with state standards covering the Holocaust, the State of Israel, and pre- and post- revolution Jewish American history.

“Hatred thrives where history is forgotten,” noted Gov. Pillen. “Our schools must be sanctuaries of learning, safety and mutual respect.”

Adam Beren, founder of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), has worked collaboratively with the state in developing meaningful policy changes to protect students and communities, including through legislation like LB538, which was introduced in the last legislative session. While that bill did not advance, the Governor’s order now enforces many of the initiatives that were included within.

“The cesspool that we know about that goes on social media – our young people are just getting influenced by these messages that we can’t believe they are taking in,” said Beren. “It’s happening on antisemitism and other issues. In our schools it’s happening. Our kids are being taught things we wouldn’t want them to learn.”

Speaking on behalf of Nebraska’s Jewish community, CEO Bob Goldberg of the Jewish Federation of Omaha also highlighted the steep rise in antisemitic attacks, which have given way to an increased need for security.  

“That is why this executive order matters. It moves us from reaction to prevention – through education, awareness, and accountability. By establishing statewide reporting and educational requirements, Nebraska is taking a proactive stand to ensure antisemitism is recognized early and addressed before it escalates.”  

Other attendees included retired Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, and Nate Grasz, executive director of the Nebraska Family Alliance. Collectively, these leaders have been strong advocates for religious freedom, human dignity, and moral foundations for families throughout Nebraska.

“When antisemitism rises, when any faith community is targeted, the freedom and dignity of all people are threatened,” said Grasz. “We stand together today to say clearly, that there is no place for religious hatred in Nebraska. There is no substitute for the enduring promise of religious liberty for all.”

The Governor’s executive order is available here: Executive Order No. 26-14: Establishing Statewide Reporting, Prevention, and Educational Requirements Regarding Antisemitism in Nebraska’s Public Education System

Gov. Pillen

Bob Goldberg, Jewish Federation of Omaha

Nate Grasz, Nebraska Family Alliance

Gov. Pillen and Sec. of State Evnen sign executive order

Governor Pillen, state senators, faith leaders

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495 

Gov. Pillen Appoints OPD Executive Deputy Chief Gray to Lead Nebraska Crime Commission

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Scott Gray as executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (i.e. Crime Commission). Gray, a decorated 30-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, will assume his role with the agency on Aug. 3. He succeeds Bryan Tuma, who announced his retirement from the Crime Commission in April.

Since 2021, Gray has served as OPD’s executive deputy chief and commands the Uniform Patrol Bureau. In that role, he leads nearly 550 sworn officers and civilian staff and manages a significant portion of OPD’s overall budget. In addition to officer response strategy and tactical oversight, Gray also has experience with policy research and development, compliance measures, leadership development and community outreach. He is the designated acting chief in the absence of the chief of police.

“Deputy Chief Gray brings significant law enforcement experience to the Crime Commission,” said Gov. Pillen. “He’s a dedicated public servant who understands first-hand the impact of the Commission’s functions and programs and will ensure they continue to be administered for the benefit of Nebraska’s citizens.”

Gray was awarded OPD’s Distinguished Service Medal this year and has previously been awarded the department’s Medal of Valor and the Police Lifesaving Medal for his involvement in two separate active shooter incidents.

Gray has a master’s degree in management and organizational leadership from the American Military University. His bachelor’s degree is in criminal justice.

This appointment is subject to approval by the Nebraska Legislature.