Nebraska Cattle Liability Bill Set for Hearing

Motorists who strike livestock on Nebraska roads could have a tougher time winning negligence lawsuits against farmers and ranchers, under a bill set for a legislative hearing.

A proposal by Ogallala Sen. Ken Schilz would require motorists to show evidence that livestock owners committed “specific acts of negligence” that allowed the animals to escape. Schilz will present the measure (LB1021) Wednesday to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.

Current Nebraska law says judges and juries cannot infer livestock owners were negligent just because the animals escaped. But the law does not require evidence of specific negligence.