Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, in collaboration with state senators, has announced the introduction of three new bills aimed at bolstering traditional agriculture in the state. Among these is Legislative Bill 246 (LB246), which seeks to ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of cultivated meat products in Nebraska.
“We need to take steps that […] keep extremists from introducing unproven meat products from being sold to consumers.”
Governor Pillen stated during a press conference, “As the first farmer-governor in more than 100 years, I know how important it is that we take steps to preserve our way of life, for the benefit of those who consume our products.
“We feed the world and save the planet. To ensure that we can do that for generations to come, we need to take steps that protect our water supply, the data that farmers use to improve their yields and their profits, and that we keep extremists from introducing unproven meat products from being sold to consumers.”
However, he made no mention of the extensive research that highlights the devastating environmental impacts of animal agriculture, which is recognized as a major driver of climate change. Cultivated meat presents a promising solution to the sustainability challenges of conventional meat production, offering significant advantages in areas such as water conservation, land use efficiency, and scalability.

Key provisions of LB246
The legislation seeks to amend the Nebraska Pure Food Act to define cultivated meat as “adulterated food” and prohibit its manufacture, distribution, and sale. Cultivated meat, described in the bill as “cultivated-protein food products,” includes any food derived from animal stem cells or other non-animal sources grown in vitro to replicate the sensory attributes of meat.
Under the bill, cultivated protein products are classified alongside unsafe or contaminated foods and those processed under unsanitary conditions. This classification not only prohibits their sale but also subjects companies producing or promoting these products to penalties under Nebraska’s deceptive trade practice laws.
Senator Barry DeKay, who sponsored the legislation, expressed skepticism toward cultivated meat as a viable alternative to conventional meat: “There are clear, recognized benefits of meat as a source of protein. It is uncertain whether manufactured meat protein is a substitute for natural meat sources as essential dietary needs.
“Until or unless there are clear labeling rules that adequately disclose that cultured meat is not real meat, its sale allows lab meats to unfairly benefit from industry investments in marketing and production.”

Governor Pillen and supporters of the bill argue that the legislation is necessary to safeguard Nebraska’s agricultural economy, which is heavily reliant on traditional livestock farming. “It’s important we get on the offense so that Nebraska farmers and ranchers are not undermined. Our job is to protect consumers, grow agriculture, and defend agriculture. Most of us want government out of our hair, but there are places where government needs to step in and protect us,” said Pillen.
National implications
Similar measures to restrict or regulate cultivated meat have been introduced in other US states, including Florida, Alabama, and Ohio. These efforts often frame the issue as one of consumer protection, despite the rigorous safety protocols and regulatory approvals required for cultivated meat production.
The legislation builds upon a 2024 executive order by Governor Pillen, which aimed to prohibit state agencies from procuring cultivated meat products. At the time, Pillen made it clear that he intended to formalize this policy through legislative action.
“If somebody wants to eat that stuff, they’re welcome to it — they’re just not gonna find it in Nebraska”
By branding cultivated meat as “adulterated” and linking it to deceptive trade practices, LB246 raises potential legal and reputational challenges for the cell-cultured meat industry. Even in states that do not adopt similar prohibitions, the characterization of cultivated meat as unsafe or misleading could influence public perception and slow market adoption.
As reported by the Nebraska Examiner, during a Capitol news conference, Gov. Jim Pillen said, “If somebody wants to eat that stuff, they’re welcome to it — they’re just not gonna find it in Nebraska grocery stores.”