This bill amends sections 32-1405 and 32-1412 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, to enhance the process surrounding initiative and referendum measures in Nebraska. Notably, it introduces a new requirement for the Secretary of State to post the text of a measure and a notice of its circulation on their website upon receiving a sample copy of the petition. This information will remain publicly accessible until the deadline for filing petitions. Additionally, the bill clarifies the process for residents to challenge the Secretary of State's refusal to place a measure on the ballot, allowing for legal action within ten days of such a refusal and specifying that the Secretary must announce the reason for the refusal.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the legal framework for suits regarding the sufficiency of initiative and referendum petitions. It establishes that any challenges to the legal sufficiency of a petition, excluding signature insufficiencies, must be filed within sixty days of the notice of circulation. The bill also stipulates that the district court of Lancaster County will have jurisdiction over these cases, with provisions for the Supreme Court to hear certain cases under its original jurisdiction. Additional provisions allow for the substantive facial insufficiency of a measure to be raised as a defense in these actions, ensuring that such claims can be addressed without being dismissed for lack of ripeness.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32-1405, 32-1412