The bill amends various sections of the Nebraska Revised Statutes to establish the Office of Public Counsel Act, which aims to enhance oversight and accountability within state administrative agencies. It introduces the Director of Legislative Oversight and the Legislative Oversight Committee while eliminating the Legislative Performance Audit Committee. The Public Counsel, appointed by the Legislature for a six-year term, will have the authority to issue subpoenas and investigate issues even without a formal complaint. The bill also emphasizes the confidentiality of certain information and mandates annual reporting to the Legislature and Governor, ensuring that the rights of individuals receiving public services are protected. Additionally, the bill creates the Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare and enhances the oversight capabilities of the Inspector General of the Nebraska Correctional System. It establishes new procedures for investigations, including the requirement for timely notification of serious incidents and the ability to access confidential information. The bill also clarifies the roles of various legislative bodies in the audit process, allowing for the issuance of subpoenas and ensuring compliance with audit recommendations. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen legislative oversight, improve accountability, and enhance the efficiency of state agencies, particularly in the areas of child welfare and corrections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43-4301, 43-4302, 43-4303, 43-4317, 43-4318, 43-4320, 43-4321, 43-4322, 43-4323, 43-4324, 43-4325, 43-4326, 43-4327, 43-4328, 43-4329, 43-4330, 43-4331, 43-4332, 47-901, 47-902, 47-903, 47-904, 47-905, 47-907, 47-908, 47-909, 47-910, 47-911, 47-912, 47-913, 47-914, 47-915, 47-916, 47-917, 47-918, 47-919, 47-920, 28-711, 28-712.01, 29-2011.02, 29-2011.03, 50-401.01, 50-402, 50-406, 50-406.01, 50-407, 50-408, 50-409, 50-410, 50-416, 50-418, 50-420, 50-1201, 50-1202, 50-1203, 50-1204, 50-1205, 50-1205.01, 50-1206, 50-1210, 50-1211, 50-1212, 50-1303, 50-1304, 73-401, 77-2711, 81-1114, 83-178, 84-304, 84-311, 84-322, 84-910
Final Reading: 43-4301, 43-4302, 43-4303, 43-4317, 43-4318, 43-4320, 43-4321, 43-4322, 43-4323, 43-4324, 43-4325, 43-4326, 43-4327, 43-4328, 43-4329, 43-4330, 43-4331, 43-4332, 47-901, 47-902, 47-903, 47-904, 47-905, 47-907, 47-908, 47-909, 47-910, 47-911, 47-912, 47-913, 47-914, 47-915, 47-916, 47-917, 47-918, 47-920, 28-711, 28-712.01, 29-2011.02, 29-2011.03, 50-401.01, 50-402, 50-406, 50-406.01, 50-407, 50-408, 50-409, 50-410, 50-416, 50-418, 50-420, 50-1201, 50-1202, 50-1203, 50-1204, 50-1205, 50-1205.01, 50-1206, 50-1209, 50-1210, 50-1211, 50-1212, 50-1213, 50-1303, 50-1304, 73-401, 77-2711, 81-1114, 83-178, 84-304, 84-311, 84-322, 84-910
Slip Law: 43-4301, 43-4302, 43-4303, 43-4317, 43-4318, 43-4320, 43-4321, 43-4322, 43-4323, 43-4324, 43-4325, 43-4326, 43-4327, 43-4328, 43-4329, 43-4330, 43-4331, 43-4332, 47-901, 47-902, 47-903, 47-904, 47-905, 47-907, 47-908, 47-909, 47-910, 47-911, 47-912, 47-913, 47-914, 47-915, 47-916, 47-917, 47-918, 47-920, 28-711, 28-712.01, 29-2011.02, 29-2011.03, 50-401.01, 50-402, 50-406, 50-406.01, 50-407, 50-408, 50-409, 50-410, 50-416, 50-418, 50-420, 50-1201, 50-1202, 50-1203, 50-1204, 50-1205, 50-1205.01, 50-1206, 50-1209, 50-1210, 50-1211, 50-1212, 50-1213, 50-1303, 50-1304, 73-401, 77-2711, 81-1114, 83-178, 84-304, 84-311, 84-322, 84-910