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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska farmers probably won't have to worry about their crop checkoff dollars being used to help solve the state's water problems.
On Thursday, lawmakers gave final-round approval to a bill (LB689) that would block a plan to use a portion of the checkoff fees on corn and grain sorghum to raise money for a state water fund.
The fees are used to help the ethanol industry. Under the bill, more than $7 million annually would have been raised for the water fund to deal with management issues, beginning in 2013.
Supporters of the bill say using checkoff dollars would conflict with the purpose of the checkoff program.
They say they will devise another funding source for the water fund.
The bill now goes to the governor for his signature or veto.
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