A bill that would impose new requirements on some land transfers to the federal government for environmental preservation has won first-round approval from Nebraska lawmakers.

Lawmakers voted 27-17 on Wednesday to advance the measure, following an eight-hour debate.

The bill would require private conservation groups to get written approval from the Nebraska Environmental Trust before transferring land to federal entities, if the land was bought using trust grants.

The measure would also require county reimbursement for lost property-tax revenue, if the land was bought with grant money and turned over to the federal government.

Opponents argued that the measure was unwarranted.

The measure was introduced by Sen. Tyson Larson, of O’Neill, who designated it as his priority bill.