The bill amends various sections of the Nebraska Revised Statutes to establish the Office of Public Counsel Act, which aims to enhance oversight of administrative agencies in the state. It introduces the appointment of a Public Counsel by the Legislature, who will serve a six-year term and can be removed for cause by a two-thirds vote. The Public Counsel will have the authority to investigate administrative acts, issue subpoenas, and ensure confidentiality of certain information. The bill also creates the Division of Legislative Oversight, which will conduct assessments and investigations of state government operations, and establishes the Legislative Oversight Committee to oversee this division. Significant changes include the repeal of existing sections related to the Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare and the Nebraska Correctional System, as well as the elimination of the Legislative Performance Audit Committee.

Additionally, the bill enhances the powers and responsibilities of the Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare and the Nebraska Correctional System, allowing for more thorough investigations and audits. It mandates that the Inspector General report to the Legislature on the status of implementation regarding recommendations and clarifies the process for accessing confidential information necessary for investigations. The bill emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and outlines penalties for obstructing the Public Counsel's functions. Overall, these amendments aim to improve government oversight, accountability, and the effectiveness of performance audits within Nebraska's administrative framework.

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