REQUESTED BY: Patricia A. Theno, Manager/Public Affairs, U. S. West Communications Inc.

QUESTIONS PRESENTED: May a corporation establish a combined federal PAC which makes contributions to state and federal candidates and remain in compliance with the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Act?

CONCLUSION

See Analysis.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: The Honorable Stan Schellpeper, State Senator, District #18.

QUESTIONS: (1) May a state senator accept honoraria, lodging, food and travel expenses from a principal or lobbyist in exchange for speaking to a group or organization? (2) May a state senator accept honoraria, lodging, food and travel expenses from people or entities other than principals or lobbyists in exchange for speaking to a group or organization?

CONCLUSION

As to question #1 generally no, but see analysis. As to question #2 generally yes, but see analysis.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Dorothy Barlean, Member, Board of Directors Butler County Rural Public Power District.

QUESTION: May a member of the board of directors of a public power district accept from the district a salary and other benefits if the total value of the salary and the other benefits exceeds the statutory maximum compensation provided by statute?

CONCLUSION

No.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Mary Rose Jennison, Treasurer, National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund, Institute for Legislative Action.

QUESTION: Is the NRA subject to the provisions of section 49-1469 requiring it to file corporate reports of political contributions or, if soliciting funds for the purpose of making contributions, establishing a separate segregated political fund pursuant to Nebraska law?

CONCLUSION

Yes.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Gary E. Lacey, Lancaster County Attorney

QUESTION: May an appraisal firm enter into contracts with the county when a partner of the firm is the spouse of the county attorney.

CONCLUSION

Yes.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Kerry P. Egan, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney

QUESTION: May a county commissioner who is in the process of obtaining a nursing home administrators license complete the required administrator-in-training process at a nursing home owned and operated by the county?

CONCLUSION

See Analysis.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: The Honorable Richard Peterson, State Senator, District #21

QUESTION: May a candidate committee transfer funds to an entity organized to challenge in court a legislative redistricting bill?

CONCLUSION

No.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Kerry P. Egan, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney.

QUESTION: 1) Does a county official or county employee have a business association with a corporation when he or she serves on the governing body of that corporation by virtue of his or her public office or position?

2) Does the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Act prohibit a public official or public employee from serving on the governing board of a private, non-profit corporation which contracts with the political subdivision served by the public official or public employee?

CONCLUSION

REQUESTED BY: The Honorable Elroy M. Hefner, State Senator, District #19.

QUESTION: May a state senator use campaign funds to pay the expenses of meals, lodging, and travel associated with an overseas study mission?

CONCLUSION

Yes.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: William M. Miller, Director, Division of Communications

QUESTION: May an agency install in a state vehicle a personally owned mobile telephone to be used for state business?

CONCLUSION

Yes.

FACTS