This bill amends the Administrative Procedure Act in Nebraska to enhance public participation in the rule-making process. It requires agencies to solicit public comments on proposed rules or regulations before publication, allowing individuals to submit their feedback electronically or by mail without needing to travel to a specific location. The bill also establishes that agencies must provide a venue for individuals to challenge the validity of rules or regulations, allowing petitions to be filed in any county where venue is appropriate, rather than being limited to Lancaster County.

Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria for declaring a rule or regulation invalid, ensuring that the court can assess whether it violates constitutional provisions or exceeds the agency's statutory authority. It specifies that statutory procedures do not include those under the Negotiated Rulemaking Act and outlines proper venues for filing petitions, including the petitioner's county of residence, principal place of business, Lancaster County, or the agency's headquarters. The bill declares an emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 84-906.02, 84-911