81-8,245 Public Counsel; powers; enumerated. - Nebraska Statutes

81-8,245. Public Counsel; powers; enumerated.The Public Counsel shall have the power to:(1) Investigate, on complaint or on his or her own motion, any administrative act of any administrative agency;(2) Prescribe the methods by which complaints are to be made, received, and acted upon; determine the scope and manner of investigations to be made; and, subject to the requirements of sections 81-8,240 to 81-8,254, determine the form, frequency, and distribution of his or her conclusions, recommendations, and proposals;(3) Conduct inspections of the premises, or any parts thereof, of any administrative agency or any property owned, leased, or operated by any administrative agency as frequently as is necessary, in his or her opinion, to carry out duties prescribed under sections 81-8,240 to 81-8,254;(4) Request and receive from each administrative agency, and such agency shall provide, the assistance and information the counsel deems necessary for the discharge of his or her responsibilities; inspect and examine the records and documents of all administrative agencies notwithstanding any other provision of law; and enter and inspect premises within any administrative agency's control;(5) Issue a subpoena, enforceable by action in an appropriate court, to compel any person to appear, give sworn testimony, or produce documentary or other evidence deemed relevant to a matter under his or her inquiry. A person thus required to provide information shall be paid the same fees and travel allowances and shall be accorded the same privileges and immunities as are extended to witnesses in the district courts of this state and shall also be entitled to have counsel present while being questioned;(6) Undertake, participate in, or cooperate with general studies or inquiries, whether or not related to any particular administrative agency or any particular administrative act, if he or she believes that they may enhance knowledge about or lead to improvements in the functioning of administrative agencies; and(7) Make investigations, reports, and recommendations necessary to carry out his or her duties under the State Government Effectiveness Act. SourceLaws 1969, c. 762, § 6, p. 2880; Laws 1976, LB 687, § 2; Laws 1993, LB 44, § 11. Cross ReferencesState Government Effectiveness Act, see section 81-2701.