He was originally appointed to the post by then-Gov. Dave Heineman. In December, he was named to stay on as part of Gov. Pete Ricketts’ administration.

Nebraska’s main agricultural organizations and producer groups united in support of Ibach’s reappointment.

But most of the testimony at Tuesday’s hearing concerned the department’s record in overseeing commercial dog and cat breeding operations.

Ibach said he has been working in recent months to upgrade the dog and cat program.

The efforts include reviewing and strengthening enforcement procedures so the department can move more quickly and effectively against substandard facilities. The department is pursuing regulation changes and legislation to close gaps in state authority over the operations.

Finally, Ibach said, the department is reaching out and working with groups like the Nebraska Humane Society.

“Over the past year, both the assistant director and myself have taken a very active role in trying to transform this program into something we can be proud of,” he said.

The department’s efforts began following the highly publicized prosecution of a Malcolm dog breeder for the conditions of her dogs, Ibach said.