Nebraska Law

Nebraska residents are subject to Nebraska state and U.S. federal laws. Federal laws apply in Nebraska as they do across all 50 states. In addition to the U.S. Constitution, which is the supreme law of the U.S., federal laws include statutes that are periodically codified in the U.S. Code. Federal laws also include decisions by courts that interpret federal laws. Finally, federal laws include regulations issued by federal administrative agencies to implement federal laws. You can explore federal laws and related resources by visiting the federal law section of the Justia site.

The state of Nebraska also has its own state laws. Nebraska state laws include the Nebraska Constitution, laws passed by the Nebraska legislature and periodically codified in the Nebraska Revised Statutes, and decisions by courts that interpret Nebraska laws.

Adopted in 1875, the Nebraska Constitution contains 18 articles. Its most notable feature is an amendment that made Nebraska the only state in the U.S. with a unicameral legislature. Article XVI provides that an amendment proposed by the legislature will appear on a ballot if 60 percent of the legislature approves it. Alternatively, a proposal for a constitutional convention will appear on a ballot if 60 percent of the legislature votes in its favor. Article III of the Constitution provides an additional method of amending the document, involving ballot initiatives. A petition seeking to amend the Constitution must be signed by at least 10 percent of registered voters in Nebraska to appear on a ballot.

The Nebraska Revised Statutes contain the laws passed by the Nebraska legislature. These laws and the provisions of the Nebraska Constitution are often interpreted by the Nebraska Supreme Court and the Nebraska Court of Appeals. The federal Nebraska District Court also issues decisions that may affect Nebraska residents. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals holds the authority to review decisions by the Nebraska District Court. Sometimes the U.S. Supreme Court may review a case that has been appealed from the Eighth Circuit or from the Nebraska Supreme Court.