Nebraska lawmakers on Friday passed a bill to end the ban on packer ownership of hogs.

It was the last state banning packer ownership, according to several media reports.

The bill was introduced Jan. 12, 2015, by Republican Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala. It passed Nebraska’s unicameral legislature Feb. 5 by a vote of 34-14.

The bill now heads to Gov. Pete Ricketts, R-Nebraska, who is expected to sign it into law.

For more on the topic:

Nebraska lawmakers voted Feb. 5 to end the ban on packer ownership of hogs. (Photo: Darcy Maulsby/Thinkstock)

Nebraska Pork Producers Association supports packer ownership bill.
Scottsbluff Star Herald – Unicameral votes to overturn ban on packers owning hogs
Omaha World-Herad — Lawmakers pass bill to end ban on Nebraska meatpackers owning hogs
Kearny Hub – Pig ownership may define urban-rural relationships