Changes to hunting permits adopted

Senators passed a bill March 28 that allows nonresidents to apply for state hunting permits.

LB94, introduced by Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas, authorizes the state Game and Parks Commission to issue deer permits to nonresidents only after 85 percent of the available permits have been issued to residents.

The bill also allows the issuance of a resident elk permit once every five years. The one limit per lifetime policy is changed to a one harvest per lifetime policy.

A third provision allows the commission to issue limited deer, antelope, wild turkey or elk permits to individuals or members of a partnership, corporation or trust that owns at least 80 acres of land for agricultural purposes.

The bill passed on a 42-0 vote.