Lawmakers approve travel surcharge for brand inspections

The Nebraska Brand Committee may implement a surcharge to cover travel costs associated with brand inspections under a bill passed by the Legislature May 5.

LB181, introduced by North Platte Sen. Tom Hansen, permits the committee to add up to a $20 surcharge per location to the brand inspection fee to cover travel expenses incurred by brand inspectors.

Lawmakers approved LB181 on final reading 45-0.

The bill’s accompanying appropriation bill, which provides $50,000 from the Nebraska Brand Inspection and Theft Prevention Fund to implement the surcharge, also passed 45-0.