Nebraska State Constitution

Robert D. Miewald (1938–97) was a professor of political science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the author of several books. Peter J. Longo is a professor of political science at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Anthony B. Schutz is an assistant professor of law at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Robert M. Spire (1925–94) served as Nebraska state attorney general in 1985. John M. Gradwohl is the Judge Harry A. Spencer Professor of Law at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

• ContentsList of Tables  Foreword to the second edition by John A. Gradwohl          Foreword to the first edition by Robert M. Spire       The History of the Nebraska State Constitution        The Nebraska State Constitution, with Commentary Introduction    Preamble         Article I: Bill of Rights           Section 1. Statement of Rights           Section 2. Slavery Prohibited Section 3. Due Process of Law; Equal Protection      Section 4. Religious Freedom Section 5. Freedom of Speech and Press        Section 6. Trial by Jury           Section 7. Search and Seizure Section 8. Habeas Corpus       Section 9. Bail; Fines; Imprisonment; Cruel and Unusual Punishment Section 10. Presentment or Indictment by Grand Jury; Information Section 11. Rights of Accused           Section 12. Evidence against Self; Double Jeopardy Section 13. Justice Administered without Delay; Legislature; Authorization to Enforce Mediation and Arbitration         Section 14. Treason     Section 15. Penalties; Corruption of Blood; Transporting out of State Prohibited    Section 16. Bill of Attainder; Retroactive Laws; Contracts; Special Privileges         Section 17. Military Subordinate        Section 18. Soldiers Quarters Section 19. Right of Peaceable Assembly and to Petition GovernmentSection 20. Imprisonment for Debt Prohibited          Section 21. Private Property Compensated For          Section 22. Elections to Be Free         Section 23. Capital Cases; Right of Direct Appeal; Effect; Other Cases; Right of Appeal   Section 24. Repealed  Section 25. Rights of Property; No Discrimination; Aliens    Section 26. Powers Retained by the People   Section 27. English Language to Be Official Section 28. Crime Victims; Rights Enumerated; Effect; Legislature; Duties Section 29. Marriage; Same-Sex Relationships Not Valid or RecognizedSection 30. Discrimination or Grant of Preferential Treatment Prohibited; Public Employment, Public Education, or Public Contracting; Section, How Construed; Remedies          Article II: Distribution of Powers       Section 1. Legislative, Executive, Judicial     Article III: Legislative            Section 1. Legislative Authority; How Vested; Power of Initiative; Power of Referendum                        Section 2. First Power Reserved: Initiative    Section 3. Second Power Reserved: Referendum      Section 4. Initiative or Referendum; Signatures Required; Veto; Election Returns; Constitutional Amendments; Non-partisan Ballot        Section 5. Legislative Districts; Apportionment; Redistricting; When Required Section 6. Legislature; Number of Members; Annual Sessions          Section 7. Legislators; Terms; Effect of Redistricting; Elections; Salary; Expenses; MileageSection 8. Legislators; Qualifications; One-Year Residence in District; Removal from District; Effect       Section 9. Legislators; Disqualifications; Election to Other Office; Resignation Required   Section 10. Legislative Sessions; Time; Quorum; Rules of Procedure; Expulsion of Members; Disrespectful Behavior; Penalty          Section 11. Legislative Journal; Vote Viva Voce; Open Doors; Committee Votes Section 12. Legislators; Terms; Limitations    Section 13. Style of Bills; Majority Necessary to Passage; Yeas and Nays Entered on Journal        Section 14. Bills and Resolutions Read by Title; Printing; Vote for Final Passage; Bills to Contain One Subject; Amended Section to Be Set Forth; Signing of Bills   Section 15. Members Privileged from Arrest Section 16. Members of Legislature and State Officers; Conflicts of Interest; Standards For         Section 17. Impeachment; Procedure Section 18. Local or Special Laws Prohibited            Section 19. Compensation; Increase When; Extra Compensation to Public Officers and Contractors Prohibited; Retirement Benefits; Adjustment   Section 20. Salt Springs, Coal, Oil, Minerals; Alienation ProhibitedSection 21. Donation of State Lands Prohibited; When        Section 22. Appropriations for State; Deficiencies; Bills for Pay of Members and Officials            Section 23. Repealed  Section 24. Games of Chance, Lotteries, and Gift Enterprises; Restrictions; Pari-mutuel Wagering on Horse Races; Bingo Games; Use of State Lottery Proceeds Section 25. Incidental Expenses of State Officers; Specific Appropriations Always Necessary; Warrants for Money   Section 26. Privilege of Members       Section 27. Acts Take Effect after Three Months; Emergency Bills; Session Laws  Section 28. Repealed  Section 29. Legislative Authority in Emergencies Due to Enemy Attack upon the United States   Section 30. Legislature to Pass Necessary Laws        Article IV: Executive  Section 1. Executive Departments; Officers; When Elected; Terms; Eligibility; Books to Be Kept at Seat of Government; Residence of Officers; Heads of Departments; AppointmentsSection 2. Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Eligibility; Qualifications; Appointive Officers; Ineligible for Other Offices                Section 3. Treasurer; Ineligibility        Section 4. Election Returns; Canvass by Legislature; Conduct of Election Contests            Section 5. Impeachment         Section 6. Supreme Executive Power Section 7. Message by Governor; Budget; Contents; Budget Bill; Preparation; Appropriations Not to Be in Excess of Budget; Exception; Excess Subject to Veto Section 8. Special Sessions     Section 9. Repealed    Section 10. Governor to Appoint Officers; Removal Section 11. Elected State Officer; Vacation of Office; Governor Fills by Appointment; Term        Section 12. Nonelective State Officers; Vacation; Governor Fills the Office by Appointment; Approval by Legislature         Section 13. Board of Parole; Members; Powers; Reprieves; Proceedings; Power to Pardon; Limitations     Section 14. Governor to Be Commander-in-Chief of Militia Section 15. Bills to Be Presented to Governor; Approval; Procedure; Disapproval or Reduction of Items of Appropriation; Passage Despite Disapproval or Reduction      Section 16. Order of Succession to Become Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Duties          Section 17. Repealed  Section 18. Repealed  Section 19. State Institutions; Management, Control, and Government; Determination by Legislature       Section 20. Public Service Commission; Membership; Terms; Powers          Section 21. Repealed  Section 22. Executive Officials to Keep Accounts; Reports; False Reports; Penalties          Section 23. Executive Officials and Heads of Institutions; Reports to Legislature; Information from Expending Agencies     Section 24. Great Seal            Section 25. Salaries of Officials; Fees            Section 26. Officials to Give Bonds   Section 27. Executive Offices; Creation Of   Section 28. Tax Equalization and Review Commission; Members; Powers; Tax Commissioner; Powers     Article V: Judicial       Section 1. Power Vested in Courts; Chief Justice; Powers    Section 2. Supreme Court; Number of Judges; Quorum; Jurisdiction; Retired Judges; Temporary Duty; Court Divisions; Assignments by Chief Justice          Section 3. Terms of Supreme Court    Section 4. Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court; Selection; Residence; Location of Offices       Section 5. Supreme Court Judicial Districts; Redistricting; When     Section 6. Chief Justice to Preside     Section 7. Chief Justice; Associate Justices; Qualifications   Section 8. Supreme Court Appoints Staff; Budget; Copyright of State Reports                  Section 9. District Courts; Jurisdiction; Felons May Plead Guilty; Sentence            Section 10. District Court Judicial Districts   Section 11. District Court Judges; Change of Number; Boundaries  Section 12. District Court Judges May Hold Court for Each Other; Retired Judges; Temporary Duty        Section 13. Supreme and District Judges; Salaries     Section 14. Supreme and District Judges Not to Act as Attorneys; Judge Not to Practice Law; When       Sections 1518. Repealed           Section 19. Practice of All Courts to Be Uniform      Section 20. Officers in This Article; Tenure; Residence; Duties; Compensation       Section 21. Merit Plan for Selection of Judges; Terms of Office; Filling of Vacancies; Procedures; Voting for Nominee            Section 22. State May Sue and Be Sued        Section 23. Jurisdiction of Judges at Chambers         Section 24. Style of Process   Section 25. Supreme Court to Promulgate Rules of Practice; To Make Recommendations to Legislature   Section 26. Proviso as to Effect of Amendment        Section 27. Juvenile Courts; Authorization    Section 28. Commission on Judicial Qualifications; Appointment; Composition; Qualifications     Section 29. Commission on Judicial Qualifications; Vote of Majority Required for Action             Section 30. Judges; Discipline; Removal from Office; Grounds; Procedure Section 31. Judges; Procedure for Removal from Office Cumulative           Article VI: Suffrage    Section 1. Qualifications of Electors  Section 2. Who Disqualified   Section 3. Military or Naval Service; Place and Manner of Voting   Section 4. Repealed    Section 5. Electors; Privileged from Arrest    Section 6. Votes, How Cast   Article VII: Education            Section 1. Legislature; Free Instruction in Common Schools; Provide Section 2. State Department of Education; General Supervision of School System Section 3. State Board of Education; Members; Election; Manner of Election; Term of Office       Section 4. State Board of Education; Commissioner of Education; Appointment; Powers and Duties        Section 5. Fines, Penalties, and License Money; Allocation; Use of Forfeited Conveyances           Section 6. Educational Lands; Management; Board of Educational Lands and Funds; Members; Appointment; Sale of Lands     Section 7. Perpetual Funds Enumerated         Section 8. Trust Funds Belong to State for Educational Purposes; Use; Investment            Section 9. Educational Funds; Trust Funds; Use; Early Childhood Education Endowment Fund; Created; Use; Early Childhood Education, Defined       Section 10. University of Nebraska; Government; Board of Regents; Election; Student Membership; Terms   Section 11. Appropriation of Public Funds; Handicapped Children; Sectarian Instruction; Religious Test of Teacher or Student Section 12. Education and Reform of Minors            Section 13. State Colleges; Government; Board; Name; Selection; Duties; Compensation  Section 14. Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education; Membership; Powers and Duties; Coordination, Defined  Section 15. Repealed and Omitted     Sections 16 and 17. Repealed Article VIII: Revenue Section 1. Revenue; Raised by Taxation; Legislative Powers            Section 1A. Levy of Property Tax for State Purposes; Prohibition    Section 1B. Income Tax; May Be Based on Laws of the United States       Section 2. Exemption of Property from Taxation; Classification       Section 2A. Exemption of Personal Property in Transit in Licensed Warehouses or Storage Areas Section 3. Redemption from Sales of Real Estate for Taxes  Section 4. Legislature Has No Power to Remit Taxes; Exception; Cancellation of Taxes on Land Acquired by the State            Section 5. County Taxes; Limitations Section 6. Local Improvements of Cities, Towns, and Villages         Section 7. Private Property Not Liable for Corporate Debts; Municipalities and Inhabitants Exempt for Corporate Purposes Section 8. Funding Indebtedness; Warrants   Section 9. Claims upon Treasury; Adjustment; Approval; Appeal     Section 10. Taxation of Grain and Seeds; Alternative Basis Permitted Section 11. Public Corporations and Political Subdivisions Providing Electricity; Payment in Lieu of Taxes               Section 12. Cities or Villages; Redevelopment Project; Substandard and Blighted Property; Incur Indebtedness; Taxes; How Treated Section 13. Revenue Laws and Legislative Acts; How Construed    Article IX: Counties   Section 1. Area           Section 2. Division of County; Decision of Question            Section 3. County Added to Another; Prior Indebtedness; County Stricken Off; Liabilities           Section 4. County and Township Officers     Section 5. Township Organization      Article X: Public Service Corporations           Section 1. Reports under Oath           Section 2. Property Liable to Sale on Execution        Section 3. Consolidation of Stock or Property           Section 4. Railways Declared Public Highways; Maximum Rates; Liability Not Limited    Section 5. Capital Stock; Dividends   Section 6. Eminent Domain    Section 7. Unjust Discrimination and Extortion         Section 8. Eminent Domain for Depot and Other Uses         Article XI: Municipal Corporations    Section 1. Subscription to Stock Prohibited   Section 2. City of 5, May Frame Charter; Procedures            Section 3. Rejection of Charter; Effect; Procedure to Frame New Charter Section 4. Charter; Amendment; Charter Convention           Section 5. Charters of City of 100,; Home Rule Charter AuthorizedArticle XII: Miscellaneous Corporations        Section 1. Legislature to Provide for Organization, Regulation, and Supervision of Corporations and Associations; Limitation; Elections for Directors or Managers; Voting Rights of Stockholders   Sections 26. Repealed   Section 7. Repealed    Section 8. Corporation Acquiring an Interest in Real Estate Used for Farming or Ranching or Engaging in Farming or Ranching; Restrictions; Secretary of State, Attorney General; Duties; Legislature; Powers               Article XIII: State, County, and Municipal Indebtedness     Section 1. State May Contract Debt; Limitations; Exceptions           Section 2. Industrial and Economic Development; Powers of Counties and Municipalities Section 3. Credit of the State; Exception       Article XIV: Militia    Section 1. Personnel; Organization; Discipline           Article XV: Miscellaneous Provisions            Section 1. Official Oath; Refusal; Disqualifications  Section 2. Official in Default as Collector and Custodian of Public Money or Property; Disqualification; Felon Disqualified         Section 3. Repealed    Section 4. Water a Public Necessity   Section 5. Use of Water Dedicated to the People      Section 6. Right to Divert Unappropriated Waters    Section 7. Use of Water for Power Purposes Section 8. Employment of Women and Children; Minimum Wage   Section 9. Controversies between Employers and Employees; Industrial Commission; Appeals                  Section 10. Repealed  Section 11. Repealed  Section 12. Removal of State Capital Section 13. Labor Organizations; No Denial of Employment; Closed Shop Not Permitted             Section 14. Labor Organization; Definition   Section 15. Labor Organizations; Amendment Self-Executing; Laws to Facilitate Operation Permitted     Section 16. Repealed  Section 17. Retirement and Pension Funds; Investment        Section 18. Governmental Powers and Functions; Intergovernmental Cooperation; Legislature May Limit; Merger or Consolidation of Counties or Other Local Governments Authorized                     Section 19. Liquor Licenses; Municipalities and Counties; Powers   Sections 2024. Omitted            Article XVI: Amendments     Section 1. How Proposed       Section 2. Convention            Article XVII: Schedule          Section 1. Terms; Reference to Members of the Legislature to Include Appointed and Elected Members  Sections 2 and 3. Repealed     Section 4. General Election of State   Section 5. Terms of Office of All Elected Officers   Section 6. Transferred to Article III, section 30         Sections 7 and 8. Repealed     Section 9. Repealed    Section 10. Empty      Section 11. Repealed  Article XVIII: Term Limits on Congress       Section 1. Statement of Intent            Section 2. Instruction to Members of Congressional Delegation; Ballot Notation; When     Section 3. Nonincumbent Candidates; Term Limits Pledge; Ballot Notation; When Section 4. Instruction to Members of the Legislature; Ballot Notation; When Section 5. Ballot Notation; Secretary of State; Duties; Appeal         Section 6. Automatic Repeal; When   Section 7. Legal Challenge; Jurisdiction         Section 8. Severability            Table of Cases Bibliography   Index