Natural Resources Committee hears nomination of Lisa Roskins to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

The Nebraska Legislature Natural Resources Committee on an appointment hearing listened as Lisa Roskins, an attorney and chief executive officer of Burlington Capital, described her personal and professional background and expressed interest in serving on the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a term listed as 02/13/2025 to 01/15/2029.

Roskins told the committee, “I am excited to be, asked to serve on the commission,” and described formative experiences that shaped her interest in parks and outdoor access, including learning plants from her mother and weekends fishing with her father.

The committee's discussion focused on access and outreach. Senator Jane Raybould asked what the state could do to make parks “more accessible for more families and their children to to explore nature,” and Roskins said she wanted time to learn where the system's gaps are before recommending specific actions. She told the panel she is “going to be a little bit more… knowledgeable about where the gaps are” after studying the commission's work.

During her remarks, Roskins emphasized public‑private partnership approaches and local philanthropy as tools to expand park amenities and attractions in less populated parts of the state. She cited examples in committee discussion such as the Cowboy Trail and rising interest from foundations when shown projects outside major population centers. She also referenced parks she favors by name, including Mahoney State Park and DeSoto Bend (Fort Calhoun) in the context of experiences that shaped her interest.

Committee chair Senator Tom Brandt opened the hearing and members asked follow-up questions about parks policy, accessibility and leveraging outside partners. Several senators praised Roskins' background; Senator Barry Kaye, Senator Jana Hughes, Senator Stan Klaus and Senator Martha Juarez also participated in the questioning.

At the close of the public portion of the hearing, the committee announced it would consider Roskins' nomination in executive session. Senator Stan Klaus moved to go into executive session and Senator Jane Raybould seconded. The transcript does not record a subsequent vote or the committee's final action on the nomination.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is a nine‑member body (eight district seats plus one at‑large position) that oversees state parks and related programs; Roskins was identified in the hearing as the nominee for the District 3 seat in Northeast Nebraska and as politically independent. The committee record includes written sign‑in procedures and public comment instructions but contains no public proponents, opponents or neutral witnesses who spoke about the nomination during the in‑person record shown in the transcript.

Next steps were not recorded in the portion of the transcript provided.