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Attorney General of Nebraska
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Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Jon Bruning. He was first elected to the office in 2002 and was subsequently re-elected in 2006 and 2010, both times unopposed.
Authority
The state Constitution addresses the office of attorney general in Article IV, the Executive Department.
Under Article IV, Section I:
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The executive officers of the state shall be the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and the heads of such other executive departments as set forth herein or as may be established by law. |
Elections
The Office of Attorney General is a publicly elected position with elections held every four years. Elections are held in November and officers assume their duties the following January. There are no term limits. (Nebraska Constitution, Article IV § 1)
Divisions
- Civil Litigation Bureau: this department works on civil rights claims, inmate litigation, worker's compensation, tort claim lawsuits, employment discrimination, and equal opportunity commission.
- Criminal Bureau: this department working on child protection, criminal appeals, domestic violence and internet safety.
- Legal Services Bureau: provides legal advice to over 60 state agencies, boards, commissions, departments and offices. The department also is in charge of antitrust, probate, and escheat, and other specialized matters including election law and constitutional litigation. The Legal Services Bureau researches and drafts most Attorney General Opinions for review by the Attorney General and also review rules and regulations for statutory authority and constitutionality.
- Public Protection Bureau: enforces laws and regulations for agriculture, environment and & natural resources. This department is also in charge of consumer protections; health and licensing; the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; Tobacco Enforcement; the Liquor Control Commission; One-Call Notification Act (the bureau files actions for civil penalties against individuals who fail to call the Digger’s Hotline prior to excavation of a pipeline site); and Administrative License Revocation.
Duties
Role in the initiative process
Unlike many states, Nebraska's initiative guidelines dictate that a ballot title is not issued until signatures are being verified. Thus the attorney general does not receive a copy of the ballot until the signatures are turned into the state four months prior to the election.
It is at this point that the attorney general will assign a ballot title to the initiative, which will be certified by the Nebraska secretary of state.
The attorney general will then write a ballot question that summarizes the initiative in 100 words or less. The office is also in charge of writing the effect of a vote for or against the measure, both items which will appear on the ballot.
Ballot language court appeals
If any citizen believes the ballot language is not sufficient or fair, they may file in District Court asking for the language to be changed. This must occur within ten days after the language is filed with the secretary of state.
If there aren't any appeal, then the language written by the attorney general is considered final and is issued to the secretary of state for official placement on the ballot.
Campaign finance
The Attorney General of Nebraska is responsible for handling all prosecutions of criminal violations of Nebraska's campaign finance laws. [1] The first step in filing a complaint is to file with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. It is up to the NADC to determine probable cause of a complaint before the Attorney General can move on with prosecution the case. [2] The NADC handles all civil law violations. [2]
Electoral history
2002
- 2002 Race for Attorney General - Republican Primary
- Jon Bruning ran unopposed
| 2002 Race for Attorney General - General Election [3] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Percentage | |||
 Jon Bruning (R)
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66% | |||
| Mike Meister (D) | 34% | |||
| Total votes | 443,499 | |||
2006
- 2006 Race for Attorney General - Republican Primary and General Elections
- Jon Bruning ran unopposed in both contests
2010
- See also: Nebraska Attorney General election, 2010
- 2010 Race for Attorney General - Republican Primary and General Elections
- Jon Bruning ran unopposed in both contests
Compensation
The state Constitution addresses compensation for state executive officials in Article IV, Section 25.
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The officers provided for in this article shall receive such salaries as may be provided by law. Such officers, or such other officers as may be provided for by law, shall not receive for their own use any fees, costs, or interest upon public money in their hands. |
In 2010, the Attorney General of Nebraska was paid an estimated $95,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[4]
Contact information
Office of the Attorney General
2115 State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone:402-471-2682
Fax:402-471-3297
See also
- Jon Bruning, Attorney General of Nebraska
- Governor of Nebraska
- Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska
- Nebraska Secretary of State
- Nebraska Constitution
External links
References
- ↑ Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission "Nebraska Campaign Finance Law"(Referenced Statute 49-14,124.02 Nebraska Law)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission "Enforcement Procedure"
- ↑ Secretary of State - Official Results 2002 General Election
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved June 22, 2011
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