REQUESTED BY: The Honorable Paul L. Douglas, former Nebraska Attorney General

QUESTION: You have requested the Commission's opinion as to whether, under the provisions of the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Act, you may pay for a public opinion survey concerning yourself, which was taken during your term of office, with funds held by your campaign committee.

CONCLUSION

REQUESTED BY: The Honorable John DeCamp, State Senator

QUESTION: A state senator, who represents as an attorney and as a consultant, individuals who are working to form a corporation in another country or territory to operate a video lottery in such other jurisdictions where video lottery operations are not forbidden, asks whether his support of or opposition to LB144, a legislative bill repealing the prohibition on cities and counties which desire to conduct video lotteries, creates a potential or actual conflict of interest.

CONCLUSION

REQUESTED BY: The Honorable John DeCamp, State Senator

QUESTION: You have requested the Commission's opinion as to whether you have either a potential or an actual conflict of interest pertaining to your action on LR16, a proposed constitutional amendment which would repeal Article XII, Section 8, of the Nebraska Constitution. Article XII, Section 8, prohibits corporate ownership of farm and ranch lands in Nebraska.

CONCLUSION

REQUESTED BY: The Honorable Chris Beutler, State Senator

QUESTION: You have requested the Commission's opinion covering conflicts of interest under Sections 49-1499 and 49-14,101, R.R.S., 1943. You have asked 2 questions: (1) Whether as a practicing attorney occasionally engaging in the practice of probate law, you would have a potential or actual conflict of interest regarding the following pending legislation:

REQUESTED BY: Dan McGuire, Director - Nebraska Wheat Board

QUESTION: Whether the Nebraska Wheat Board may expend funds to assist in defraying the expenses of members of the Nebraska Legislature traveling to Washington, D.C. to communicate the severity of the economic depression affecting agriculture in the State of Nebraska.

ANALYSIS

REQUESTED BY: James R. Brown, Fitzgerald, Brown, Leahy, Strom, Schorr and Barmettler on behalf of the City of LaVista.

QUESTION: May a city councilman solicit purchase orders and contracts with city contracts with city departments on behalf of the business for which he works?

CONCLUSION

Yes, provided the amount does not exceed $2000 in a calendar year. (See analysis)

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: John E. Spiegel, Mayor of the City of Ravenna.

QUESTION: May a mayor who owns and is the editor of a newspaper and print shop, publish legal notices, proceedings and ordinances of the city, print letterhead and forms for various city agencies and publish advertising and informational notices for the city?

CONCLUSION

Yes. Under the circumstances outlined in the analysis.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Robert Roy, a member of the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Ravenna.

QUESTION: May a member of the Board of Park Commissioners, established under the Ravenna Municipal Code, consisting of three members, appointed by the City Council serving without compensation, sell at retail, hardware items to Ravenna's street, water, sewer and other municipal departments?

CONCLUSION

Yes, see analysis.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Dan Nolte, Lancaster County Register of Deeds, 555 South 10th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508

QUESTION: May a register of deeds purchase and own real property for rental purposes either individually, as a member of a partnership or as an owner of stock in a corporation.

CONCLUSION

Yes.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Richard D. Kennedy, 6115 Franklin Street, Lincoln, NE 68506

QUESTION: Whether an appraiser employed by a state agency may do, and be compensated for, similar work for another government entity on his own time?

CONCLUSION

Yes, unless he will perform similar work as a state employee on the same project.

FACTS