Why It Matters
Nebraska has moved to criminalize the illegal importation of dangerous agricultural pathogens and pests, marking another step in the state’s effort to shield its farming economy from foreign interference. The measure reflects broader state-level concern about protecting critical infrastructure and food production from adversarial nations.
What Happened
Governor Jim Pillen signed Legislative Bill 1096 on Friday in Lincoln, legislation introduced on the governor’s behalf by state Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln. The measure criminalizes the illegal import of dangerous pathogens or pests—a direct response to biosecurity threats facing Nebraska’s agricultural sector.
The signing came as part of what state officials framed as a coordinated defense strategy. Bostar has championed multiple related measures over recent years, including LB 1300 in 2024, which established a Committee on Pacific Conflict and barred companies from adversarial nations from bidding on state and local procurement contracts. In 2025, Bostar introduced LB 644 to prohibit state tax incentives for businesses operating in nations deemed adversarial, specifically naming China and Iran.
Eugene Kowel, an FBI agent based in Omaha, emphasized the scope of the challenge. “This requires a whole government approach,” Kowel said, highlighting the need for coordination across federal, state, and local authorities.
By the Numbers
21 years — duration of Eugene Kowel’s employment with the FBI
4 years — timeframe over which Nebraska has pursued this legislative agenda on foreign threats
2024 — year LB 1300 was enacted, establishing the Committee on Pacific Conflict
2025 — year LB 644 was introduced to restrict tax incentives for businesses in adversarial nations
Zoom Out
State-level actions against foreign economic and biosecurity threats have accelerated across the country in recent years. In 2023, a Chinese surveillance balloon traversed American airspace, prompting federal intercept and raising awareness of foreign reconnaissance activities. Since then, multiple states have enacted or proposed measures targeting foreign investment, procurement restrictions, and agricultural security—reflecting a shift toward decentralized foreign threat management at the state level.
Bostar framed the effort in comprehensive terms: “That’s one of the things that’s important about today. It’s certainly about the policy we passed this last session, but so much more it’s this total slate of legislation that we have effectively pursued over the last four years.”
What’s Next
LB 1096 is now law. Nebraska officials have indicated the state will continue monitoring foreign threats to agriculture and may pursue additional protective measures. The framework established through LB 1300’s Committee on Pacific Conflict will likely shape future procurement and investment policy decisions.