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

REQUESTED BY: Michael A. Shrier, Treasurer, Ben Nelson for Governor Committee.

QUESTION: May the Governor's Mansion be used by the Governor for a political fund raising event?

CONCLUSION

Yes

FACTS

Over the years the Governor's Mansion has been the site of a number of political and fundraising events. The treasurer of the Ben Nelson for Governor Committee wishes to insure that political fund raising events may legally be held at the Governor's Mansion.

ANALYSIS

Section 49-14,101(4) states

REQUESTED BY: Terry R. Schaaf, Attorney At Law, Lincoln, Nebraska

QUESTION: May an attorney employed by the State of Nebraska represent private clients before a State Commission if the State Commission is not the employer of the attorney?

CONCLUSION

See Analysis.

ANALYSIS

REQUESTED BY: Larry Morris, Chief of Administration, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

QUESTION: May the Game and Parks Commission permit a park superintendent employed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission who is required to live in state owned housing on park grounds to operate an antique business from the state owned housing?

CONCLUSION

See Analysis

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: L. Lynn Rex, Assistant Director, League of Nebraska Municipalities.

QUESTION: Can public officials and public employees engage in certain specified activities in connection with a ballot question?

CONCLUSION

See Analysis

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Thomas S. Johnston, Executive Director, Nebraska Technical Community College Association.

QUESTION: May a non-profit corporate association engage in certain specific activities in assistance of the defeat of a ballot question.

CONCLUSION

See Analysis

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Karen Gehle, Executive Vice President, Nebraska Realtors Association

QUESTION: 1) May an Issues Mobilization Committee function in the described manner without being a separate segregated political fund or PAC?

2) May an industry trade or professional association sponsor more than one Nebraska state separate segregated political fund or PAC?

3) May an Issues Mobilization Committee of an industry, trade or professional association accept and disburse funds as set forth in six specific situations?

CONCLUSION