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Dist. 40 R eport
In the Natural Resources Committee, I brought forward LB480, a bill which would provide the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission the authority to carry out other projects at Niobrara State Park and Lake McConaughy other than the ones studied by the STAR WARS Special Committee and authorized by the Legislature in 2022.
The current law only allows money in the Water Recreation Enhancement Fund to be spent on marina construction projects at Lewis and Clark Lake and Lake McConaughy as well as spent on a lodge at Niobrara State Park.
However, rising construction costs and questions regarding feasibility have stalled progress at Niobrara State Park and Lake McConaughy.
The Governor’s budget proposes to transfer $65 million out of $85 million from the Water Recreational Enhancement Fund to the General Fund. The Weigand Marina project at Lewis and Clark Lake would cost $55 million as currently proposed, meaning this project would not be constructed if the Governor’s recommendation is adopted by the Legislature. I and other members of the STAR WARS Committee are engaged in negotiations with the Appropriations Committee and the Governor’s office to ensure there isenough funding in the Water Recreational Enhancement Fund to complete the Weigand Marina project.
However, the proposed Weigand Marina would not be affected if both (1) LB480 passes and (2) the Governor’s budget recommendation is notadopted since that project is nearing the completion of design and could be bid out for construction later this year.
LB480 would ensure that any excess funds not used by the marinaproject would be used by the Game and Parks Commission to complete other smaller projects that still align with the intent of the STAR WARS legislation given current time and fiscal constraints.
Projects that could be authorized by LB480 include a new visitor center at Niobrara State Park and road improvements at Lake McConaughy.
Meanwhile, I presented LB246 before the Agriculture Committee. LB246 would ban the manufacture, sale and distribution of cultured protein products in Nebraska. Such products, also known as lab-grown or synthetic meat, are made by cultivating animal stem cells for several weeks and combining them with other ingredients in bioreactors. LB246 would not impact plant-based protein alternative products.
I introduced LB246 out of concern for both public safety and Nebraska’s cultural identity. In terms of public safety, synthetic meat is a novel product.
Throughout the manufacturing process, there are many different ways labgrown meat could be contaminated, whether it be from bacteria or the many different chemicals used in the bioreactor. New products need time to be studied to better understand what impacts they have. By banning these synthetic-meats now, we will allow for the much-needed time to verify safety for the consumer.
While two lab-grown meat poultry products were approved by USDA and FDA under the Biden Administration in 2023, these products may soon enter the wider consumer market, yet they have unknown and uncertain long-term health impacts.
LB246 would also help to preserve Nebraska’s cultural identity as “The Beef State.” Nebraska is a top exporter of beef, and many Nebraskans take pride in the quality of the state’s agricultural products, such as corn-fed steaks.
Protecting an aspect of a state’s cultural identity is not unprecedented. For example, almost all states have banned the sale or processing of horse meat. The question is not the safety of horse meat or that there are segments of the population who consume horse meat. Instead, states enacted such bans because the sale or processing of horse meat did not align with the state’s cultural values. Just as many states have banned horse meat to preserve their cultural identity, Nebraska should ban synthetic meat to align with its identity as “The Beef State.”
As bills are heard and debated, I would appreciate your input. Call my Capitol office telephone number at (402) 471-2801 or send email to [email protected]. My mailing address is: Senator Barry DeKay, District #40, P.O. Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509.
