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 role of the Public Counsel, appointed by the Legislature for a six-year term, with the authority to investigate administrative acts, issue subpoenas, and conduct inspections. The bill also emphasizes confidentiality regarding certain information and allows the Public Counsel to delegate responsibilities to staff. Additionally, it repeals existing sections related to the Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare and the Nebraska Correctional System, consolidating oversight functions under the new Office of Public Counsel and creating the Division of Legislative Oversight to further improve legislative accountability.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the powers and responsibilities of the Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare and the Nebraska Correctional System, including the requirement for timely notifications regarding criminal investigations and the establishment of protocols for cooperation with law enforcement. It also introduces new provisions for the Legislative Oversight Committee, which will oversee the Division of Legislative Oversight and ensure compliance with various oversight acts. The bill mandates that agencies report annually on the status of pending rules and regulations, and it allows for the issuance of subpoenas to obtain necessary records. Overall, the amendments aim to strengthen transparency, accountability, and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms within Nebraska's government operations.

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