Changes to hunting permits advanced

Senators voted to advance a bill Feb. 27 that would allow nonresidents to apply for state hunting permits.

LB94, introduced by Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas, would authorize 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. Dubas said many hunters have asked for the change.

“This approach is used in most other states and hunters are familiar with this process,” she said.

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

A third provision would allow 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.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers introduced several technical amendments; two were adopted and three were withdrawn.

Senators advanced the bill to select file on a 32-0 vote.