Source: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/laws-index/chap59-full.html
Timestamp: 2018-01-22 09:27:27
Document Index: 270163624

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 1', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 1', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 1', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 1', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 2', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 61', '§ 3', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 4', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 5', '§ 59', '§ 1', '§ 59', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 41', '§ 41', '§ 41', '§ 41', '§ 41', '§ 3', '§ 4047', '§ 3450', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 5', '§ 4049', '§ 3452', '§ 59', '§ 1', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 359', '§ 6', '§ 4050', '§ 3453', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 65', '§ 3', '§ 360', '§ 7', '§ 4051', '§ 3454', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 361', '§ 1', '§ 8', '§ 4052', '§ 3455', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 362', '§ 9', '§ 4053', '§ 3456', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 363', '§ 2', '§ 10', '§ 4054', '§ 3457', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 364', '§ 3', '§ 11', '§ 4055', '§ 3458', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 365', '§ 4', '§ 11', '§ 4055', '§ 3458', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 366', '§ 11', '§ 4055', '§ 3458', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 367', '§ 75', '§ 5', '§ 11', '§ 4055', '§ 3458', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 368', '§ 11', '§ 4055', '§ 3458', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 369', '§ 76', '§ 12', '§ 4056', '§ 3459', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 66', '§ 4', '§ 370', '§ 6', '§ 13', '§ 4057', '§ 3460', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 371', '§ 7', 'art. 8', '§ 2', '§ 15', '§ 4059', '§ 3462', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 372', '§ 16', '§ 4060', '§ 3463', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 373', '§ 8', '§ 17', '§ 4061', '§ 3464', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 9', '§ 19', '§ 4063', '§ 3466', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 374', '§ 12', '§ 20', '§ 4064', '§ 3467', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 2', '§ 11', '§ 120', '§ 26', '§ 13', '§ 21', '§ 4065', '§ 3468', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 14', '§ 21', '§ 4065', '§ 3468', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 67', '§ 5', '§ 21', '§ 4065', '§ 3468', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 15', '§ 21', '§ 4065', '§ 3468', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 16', '§ 1', '§ 375', '§ 19', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 1', '§ 376', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 1', '§ 5', '§ 2', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§ 9', '§ 10', '§ 11', '§ 12', '§ 13', '§ 14', '§ 15', '§ 17', '§ 18', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 2', '§ 27', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§ 378', '§ 9', '§ 10', '§ 11', '§ 12', '§ 14', '§ 22', '§ 6', '§ 24', '§ 29', '§ 4', '§ 34', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§ 26', '§ 26', '§ 5', '§ 17', '§ 28', '§ 19', '§ 20', '§ 22', '§ 31', '§ 23', '§ 32', '§ 25', '§ 26', '§ 27', '§ 28', '§ 29', '§ 30', '§ 33', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 41', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 16', '§ 42', '§ 4', '§ 379', '§ 5', '§ 1', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§ 9', '§ 10', '§ 11', '§ 12', '§ 13', '§ 14', '§ 7', '§ 15', '§ 12', '§ 13', '§ 16', '§ 17', '§ 18', '§ 6', '§ 8', '§ 19', '§ 20', '§ 21', '§ 44', '§ 23', '§ 26', '§ 27', '§ 28', '§ 17', '§ 29', '§ 30', '§ 31', '§ 32', '§ 3', '§ 13', '§ 18', '§ 10', '§ 36', '§ 37', '§ 6', '§ 39', '§ 8', '§ 381', '§ 78', '§ 40', '§ 9', '§ 41', '§ 16', '§ 42', '§ 382', '§ 43', '§ 44', '§ 45', '§ 46', '§ 47', '§ 48', '§ 17', '§ 49', '§ 43', '§ 50', '§ 77', '§ 18', '§ 52', '§ 20', '§ 53', '§ 21', '§ 54', '§ 55', '§ 22', '§ 56', '§ 23', '§ 58', '§ 25', '§ 26', '§ 45', '§ 59', '§ 28', '§ 60', '§ 29', '§ 61', '§ 30', '§ 27', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 98', '§ 57', '§ 34']

59-101. Repealed. Laws 1980, LB 741, § 1.
59-201. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-202. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-203. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-204. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-301. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 485, § 5.
59-302. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 485, § 5.
59-303. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 485, § 5.
59-304. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 485, § 5.
59-401. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-402. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-403. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-501. Sales; discrimination; when unlawful.
Any person, firm, or company, association or corporation, foreign or domestic, doing business in the State of Nebraska and engaged in the production, manufacture or distribution of any commodity in general use, that shall intentionally, for the purpose of destroying the business of a competitor in any locality, discriminate between different sections, communities, or cities of this state by selling such commodity at a lower rate in one section, community or city than is charged for said commodity by said party in another section, community or city, after making due allowance for the difference, if any, in the grade or quality and in the actual cost of transportation from the point of production, if a raw product, or from the point of manufacture, if a manufactured product, shall be deemed guilty of unfair discrimination, which is hereby prohibited and declared unlawful.
Source:Laws 1939, c. 77, § 1, p. 313; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 59-523; R.S.1943, § 59-501.
Electricity is a commodity within the meaning of this section. State ex rel. Spillman v. Interstate Power Co., 118 Neb. 756, 226 N.W. 427 (1929).
Former act sustained as constitutional, but did not prevent persons dealing in commodities from selling them at such price as they may demand. State v. Drayton, 82 Neb. 254, 117 N.W. 768 (1908).
59-502. Sales; unlawful discrimination; prima facie evidence.
Proof that any person, firm, company, association or corporation has been discriminating between different sections, communities and cities of this state by selling a commodity at a lower rate in one section, community or city than is charged for said commodity by said party in another section, community or city, after making an allowance for the difference, if any, in the grade or quality and in the actual cost of transportation from the point of production, if a raw material, and from the point of manufacture, if a manufactured product, shall be prima facie evidence that the party so discriminating is guilty of unfair discrimination.
Source:Laws 1939, c. 77, § 1, p. 314; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 59-523; R.S.1943, § 59-502.
59-503. Purchases; discrimination; when unlawful.
Any person, firm, company, association or corporation, foreign or domestic, doing business in the State of Nebraska, engaged in the business of collecting or buying any product, commodity or property of any kind, that shall intentionally, for the purpose of injuring or destroying the business of a competitor in any locality, discriminate between the different sections, communities or cities of this state by buying any product, commodity or property of any kind, and paying therefor a higher rate or price in one section, community or city than is paid for the same kind of product, commodity or property by said party in another section, community or city, after making due allowance for the difference, if any, in the grade or quality and in the actual cost of the transportation from the point where the same is purchased to the market where it is sold, or intended to be sold, shall be deemed guilty of unfair discrimination, which is hereby prohibited and declared unlawful.
Source:Laws 1939, c. 77, § 1, p. 314; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 59-523; R.S.1943, § 59-503.
59-504. Purchases; unlawful discrimination; prima facie evidence.
Proof that any person, firm, company, association or corporation has been discriminating between different sections, communities and cities by buying any product, commodity or property of any kind, and paying therefor a higher rate or price in one section, community or city than is paid for the same kind of product, commodity or property by said party in another section, community or city, after making due allowance for the difference, if any, in the grade or quality, and in the actual cost of transportation from the point where the same is purchased to the market where same is sold or intended to be sold, shall be prima facie evidence that the party so discriminating is guilty of unfair discrimination.
Source:Laws 1939, c. 77, § 1, p. 314; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 59-523; R.S.1943, § 59-504.
59-505. Unlawful discrimination; penalty.
Any person, firm, company, association or corporation violating any of the provisions of sections 59-501 and 59-503, and any officer, agent or receiver of any firm, company, association or corporation, or any member of the same, or any individual, violating any of the provisions of said sections, shall be deemed guilty of a Class I misdemeanor.
Source:Laws 1939, c. 77, § 2, p. 315; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 59-524; R.S.1943, § 59-505; Laws 1977, LB 39, § 61.
59-506. Unlawful discrimination; contracts void.
All contracts or agreements made in violation of any of the provisions of sections 59-501 to 59-503 shall be void.
Source:Laws 1939, c. 77, § 3, p. 315; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 59-525; R.S.1943, § 59-506.
59-507. Attorney General, county attorneys; duty to enforce sections.
It shall be the duty of the county attorneys, in their counties, and the Attorney General to enforce the provisions of sections 59-501 to 59-508.
Source:Laws 1939, c. 77, § 4, p. 315; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 59-526; R.S.1943, § 59-507.
59-508. Unlawful discrimination by corporations; penalty; prosecution by Attorney General; injunction; corporations in which the public has an interest.
Any corporation, joint-stock company or other association that shall have been once adjudged to have violated the provisions of sections 59-501 to 59-507, by a final judgment of any court having jurisdiction of the question and who shall thereafter violate the provisions of said sections shall no longer be allowed to engage in business in this state; Provided, such prohibition shall be enforced only after such corporation, joint-stock company or other association shall have been enjoined against further engaging in such business on an information or suit brought in a court of competent jurisdiction by the Attorney General on behalf of this state. The Attorney General may, unless he shall be satisfied that such corporation, joint-stock company or other association has desisted and abstained and will in the future desist and abstain from such violation, enforce the provision by proceeding, either by information or by indictment, as he may in his discretion think best. Any corporation, joint-stock company or other association which shall be charged with violating said sections, and any president, director, treasurer, officer or agent thereof, may be enjoined as a party in any proceeding, civil or criminal, to enforce said sections. If, in the judgment of the Attorney General, such corporation, joint-stock company or other association, against which proceedings may be instituted, be one on which the public is so depending that the interruption of its business will cause serious public loss or inconvenience, he may, in his discretion, refrain from proceeding to obtain a decree, which will absolutely prevent the continuance of such business, and may apply for a limited or conditional decree or one to take effect at a future day, as the public interests shall seem to require. If, in the judgment of the court before whom such proceedings may be pending, the interruption of the business of the defendant corporation, joint-stock company, or other association will cause such serious public loss or inconvenience, the court may decline to enter an absolute decree enjoining it against proceeding with its business and may enter a conditional decree or such a decree to take effect at a future time, as justice shall require. The court may also, in its discretion, enjoin such officers, agents or servants of such corporation, joint-stock company or other association from continuing in its service and enjoin any such corporation, joint-stock company or other association from continuing their employment therein, as the case shall seem to require.
Source:Laws 1939, c. 77, § 5, p. 315; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 59-527; Laws 1943, c. 132, § 1, p. 444; R.S.1943, § 59-508.
59-509. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-601. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-602. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-603. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-604. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-605. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-606. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-701. Repealed. Laws 1981, LB 381, § 41.
59-702. Repealed. Laws 1981, LB 381, § 41.
59-703. Repealed. Laws 1981, LB 381, § 41.
59-704. Repealed. Laws 1981, LB 381, § 41.
59-705. Repealed. Laws 1981, LB 381, § 41.
59-803. Violation; property under contract forfeited.
Any property owned under any contract or by any combination, or pursuant to any conspiracy, and being the subject thereof, mentioned in sections 59-801 and 59-802, shall be forfeited to the state.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 3, p. 636; R.S.1913, § 4047; C.S.1922, § 3450; C.S.1929, § 59-803; R.S.1943, § 59-803.
59-804. Business of corporations or other companies; conduct; investigation by Attorney General; powers.
The Attorney General of this state may at any time require of any corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association engaged in business within this state, any statement he or she may think fit in regard to the conduct of its business. He or she may especially require any such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association to give a list of all contracts or transactions entered into within the twelve months preceding such requisition in which it has sold any article or product or carried any article or product within this state at a rate less than the ordinary market price if such article or product has been sold or carried by any other person than the party to such transaction. He or she may further require the reasons for such distinction and the circumstances attending the same.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 5, p. 638; R.S.1913, § 4049; C.S.1922, § 3452; C.S.1929, § 59-805; Laws 1939, c. 76, § 1, p. 312; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 59-805; R.S.1943, § 59-804; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 359.
The purpose of requiring statements to be filed with the Attorney General is to aid him in enforcing the Junkin Act. State v. American Surety Co., 91 Neb. 22, 135 N.W. 365, Ann. Cas. 1913B 973 (1912).
59-805. Restraint of trade; underselling; penalty.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 6, p. 638; R.S.1913, § 4050; C.S.1922, § 3453; C.S.1929, § 59-806; R.S.1943, § 59-805; Laws 1977, LB 39, § 65; Laws 1983, LB 32, § 3; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 360.
59-806. Holding companies; when unlawful.
No corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association shall engage in business within this state, a majority of whose stock is owned by or controlled or held in trust for any manufacturing or other corporation, which, in the course of its manufacture or production, conducts its business, or any part thereof, in a manner which would be prohibited by sections 59-801 to 59-831 if it were so conducted in the course of such business within this state.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 7, p. 639; R.S.1913, § 4051; C.S.1922, § 3454; C.S.1929, § 59-807; R.S.1943, § 59-806; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 361; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 1.
59-807. Books of record and papers; inspection by Attorney General.
All the books of record and papers of every such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association engaged in business within this state shall be subject to inspection by the Attorney General of this state or by any agent he or she may designate for that purpose, and such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association shall, at such times as he or she shall prescribe, make such further returns, verified as aforesaid as shall be by him or her prescribed, either by general regulations or by special direction.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 8, p. 639; R.S.1913, § 4052; C.S.1922, § 3455; C.S.1929, § 59-808; R.S.1943, § 59-807; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 362.
59-808. Prohibited acts.
Any president, director, treasurer, officer, corporator, partner, member, associate, or agent of such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association who does in its behalf anything prohibited by sections 59-801 to 59-831 or who supports, votes for, aids and abets, or takes part in doing such action by the corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association, or any instrumentality thereof, shall be liable to the penalties by law provided.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 9, p. 639; R.S.1913, § 4053; C.S.1922, § 3456; C.S.1929, § 59-809; R.S.1943, § 59-808; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 363; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 2.
59-809. Violation; ouster.
No corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association which manufactures or produces any article for sale or transportation within this state and which does any of the acts or things prohibited to be done by sections 59-801 to 59-831 shall engage in business within this state.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 10, p. 640; R.S.1913, § 4054; C.S.1922, § 3457; C.S.1929, § 59-810; R.S.1943, § 59-809; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 364; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 3.
59-810. Second or subsequent violations; ouster; injunction.
Any corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association which has been once adjudged to have violated the provisions of sections 59-801 to 59-831 by the final judgment of any court having jurisdiction of the question in any civil suit or proceeding in which such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association was a party, which thereafter violates any of such sections or which fails to make the returns herein required at the times specified shall no longer be allowed to engage in business within this state. Such prohibition shall only be enforced after such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association has been enjoined against further engaging in such business on an information or suit brought in a court of competent jurisdiction by the Attorney General in behalf of this state.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 11, p. 640; R.S.1913, § 4055; C.S.1922, § 3458; C.S.1929, § 59-811; R.S.1943, § 59-810; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 365; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 4.
59-811. Second or subsequent violations; duty of Attorney General.
It shall be the duty of the Attorney General in such case, unless he or she is satisfied that such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association has desisted and abstained and will in the future desist and abstain from such violation, to enforce the provision by proceeding, either by information or by indictment, as he or she may in his or her discretion think best.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 11, p. 640; R.S.1913, § 4055; C.S.1922, § 3458; C.S.1929, § 59-811; R.S.1943, § 59-811; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 366.
59-812. Violators; actions against; joinder of parties.
Any corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association which is charged with violating sections 59-801 to 59-831 and any president, director, treasurer, officer, limited liability company member, or agent thereof may be joined as a party in any proceeding, civil or criminal, to enforce such sections.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 11, p. 640; R.S.1913, § 4055; C.S.1922, § 3458; C.S.1929, § 59-811; R.S.1943, § 59-812; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 367; Laws 1994, LB 884, § 75; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 5.
59-813. Violators; ouster; injunctions; business affected with a public interest; decree.
If, in the judgment of the Attorney General, such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association against which any civil proceeding may be instituted is one upon which the public is so depending that the interruption of its business will cause serious public loss or inconvenience, he or she may, in his or her discretion, refrain from proceeding to obtain a decree which will absolutely prevent the continuance of such business and may apply for a limited or conditional decree, or one to take effect at a future day, as the public interest shall seem to require. If, in the judgment of the court before whom such proceeding may be pending, the interruption of the business of the defendant corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association will cause such serious public loss or inconvenience, the court may decline to enter an absolute decree enjoining it against proceeding with its business and may enter a modified or conditional decree or a decree to take effect at a future time as justice shall require.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 11, p. 640; R.S.1913, § 4055; C.S.1922, § 3458; C.S.1929, § 59-811; R.S.1943, § 59-813; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 368.
Court may enter a modified or conditional decree or a decree to take effect at a future time. State v. American Surety Co., 91 Neb. 22, 135 N.W. 365, Ann. Cas. 1913B 973 (1912).
59-814. Violators; parties to employment contract; injunction.
The court may also, in its discretion, enjoin the officers, agents, or servants of such corporation, joint-stock company, or other association or the managers, agents, or servants of such limited liability company from continuing in its service and enjoin any such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association from continuing their employment therein as the case shall seem to require.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 11, p. 641; R.S.1913, § 4055; C.S.1922, § 3458; C.S.1929, § 59-811; R.S.1943, § 59-814; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 369; Laws 1994, LB 884, § 76.
59-815. Violation; penalty.
Any corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association, and any president, director, treasurer, officer, corporator, partner, member, associate, or agent thereof who in its behalf engages in such business in violation of sections 59-801 to 59-831 shall for each offense, in addition to such penalty for contempt as the court in case of disobedience to its lawful order may impose, be guilty of a Class IV felony.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 12, p. 641; R.S.1913, § 4056; C.S.1922, § 3459; C.S.1929, § 59-812; R.S.1943, § 59-815; Laws 1977, LB 39, § 66; Laws 1983, LB 32, § 4; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 370; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 6.
59-816. Violation; company officers; personal liability.
Every president, treasurer, general manager, agent, or other person usually exercising the powers of such officers of any corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association who has himself or herself, in its behalf, violated, united to violate, or voted for or consented to the violation of sections 59-801 to 59-831 shall thereafter be personally liable for all the debts and obligations of any such corporation, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or other association created while such person holds such office or agency, whether under the same or subsequent elections or appointments.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 13, p. 641; R.S.1913, § 4057; C.S.1922, § 3460; C.S.1929, § 59-813; R.S.1943, § 59-816; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 371; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 7.
59-817. Repealed. Laws 1963, c. 425, art. 8, § 2.
59-818. Seeking or receiving special advantages; when unlawful; penalty.
If any joint-stock company, corporation, limited liability company, or combination or any agent thereof solicits, accepts, or receives any such rebate, concession, or service as is hereinbefore declared to be unlawful, it shall be unlawful thereafter to transport within this state any article owned or controlled by such company, corporation, limited liability company, or combination, or produced or manufactured by it, by whomsoever the same may be owned or controlled. If any such joint-stock company, corporation, limited liability company, or combination offers, grants, or gives any special prices, inducements, or advantages for the sale of articles produced, manufactured, owned, or controlled by it to purchasers in any particular locality in order to restrict or destroy competition in that locality in the sale of such articles, it shall be unlawful thereafter to transport within this state any article owned or controlled by it, or produced or manufactured by it, by whomsoever the same may be owned or controlled. The prohibition imposed under this section shall not apply to any article purchased bona fide before decree made in pursuance thereof against the joint-stock company, corporation, limited liability company, or combination producing, manufacturing, or theretofore owning or controlling the same, and even after decree, any such article may be relieved from the prohibition imposed under this section if the owner thereof shows to the satisfaction of the court having jurisdiction of the matter hereinafter provided that such article was purchased bona fide, without notice, and within thirty days after the entry of such decree. Any transportation company, and any officer, agent, or representative thereof, knowingly concerned in the transportation of articles within this state, contrary to the prohibitions of this section, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five thousand dollars.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 15, p. 642; R.S.1913, § 4059; C.S.1922, § 3462; C.S.1929, § 59-815; R.S.1943, § 59-818; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 372.
59-819. Violations; jurisdiction; powers of courts.
The several courts of record of this state having equity jurisdiction are hereby invested with jurisdiction to prevent and restrain all violations of sections 59-801 to 59-831 and especially the offering, granting, giving, soliciting, accepting, or receiving any such rebate, concession, or service by any person or persons and to prevent or restrain any such joint-stock company, corporation, limited liability company, association, or combination which has solicited, accepted, or received any such rebate, concession, or service or which has offered, granted, or given any special prices, inducements, or advantages in order to restrict or destroy competition in particular localities from engaging in commerce within this state. Such proceedings may be by way of complaint setting forth the cause of action and praying that the acts hereby made unlawful shall be enjoined or otherwise prohibited. When the parties complained of are duly notified of such complaint, the court shall proceed as soon as may be to the hearing and determination of the case, and upon such complaint and before final decree the court may at any time make such temporary restraining order or prohibition as shall be deemed just. The court may retain jurisdiction of the case after the decree for the purpose of such subsequent modification of the same as may be made to appear equitable and just in the premises.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 16, p. 643; R.S.1913, § 4060; C.S.1922, § 3463; C.S.1929, § 59-816; R.S.1943, § 59-819; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 373; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 8.
59-820. Violations; civil proceedings; subpoena; may issue to any county.
Whenever it shall appear to the court before which any civil proceeding under sections 59-801 to 59-831 shall be pending that the ends of justice require that other parties shall be brought before the court, the court may cause them to be summoned whether they reside in the county where the court is held or not, and subpoenas to that end may be served in any county by the sheriff thereof.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 17, p. 644; R.S.1913, § 4061; C.S.1922, § 3464; C.S.1929, § 59-817; R.S.1943, § 59-820; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 9.
59-822. Person, defined.
The words person or persons, as used in sections 59-801 to 59-831, shall be deemed to include all corporations, associations, limited liability companies, combinations, or concerns whatsoever.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 19, p. 644; R.S.1913, § 4063; C.S.1922, § 3466; C.S.1929, § 59-819; R.S.1943, § 59-822; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 374; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 12.
The word person includes a corporation. O. G. Pierce Co. v. Century Indemnity Co., 136 Neb. 78, 285 N.W. 91 (1939).
59-823. Violations; actions brought by state; advancement of cause; appeal.
When any suit in equity is brought in any court under sections 59-801 to 59-831 in which the state is complainant, the Attorney General may file with the clerk of such court a certificate that, in his or her opinion, the case is of general public importance, a copy of which certificate shall be immediately furnished by such clerk to the judge of the court in which the case is pending. Thereupon such case shall be given precedence over others and in every way expedited and be assigned for hearing at the earliest practicable day. An appeal from the final decree of the court shall lie to the Court of Appeals and shall be taken within thirty days after the entry of such decree or final order or within thirty days after entry of the order overruling a motion for a new trial in such case.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 20, p. 644; R.S.1913, § 4064; C.S.1922, § 3467; C.S.1929, § 59-820; R.S.1943, § 59-823; Laws 1961, c. 305, § 2, p. 960; Laws 1987, LB 33, § 11; Laws 1991, LB 732, § 120; Laws 1999, LB 43, § 26; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 13.
59-824. Violations; proceedings; evidence; discovery; privilege not allowed.
In all prosecutions, hearings, and proceedings under sections 59-801 to 59-831, whether civil or criminal, no person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing books, papers, contracts, agreements, and documents before the courts of this state, or in obedience to the subpoena of the same, on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of such person, may tend to criminate such person or subject such person to a penalty or forfeiture.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 21, p. 644; R.S.1913, § 4065; C.S.1922, § 3468; C.S.1929, § 59-821; R.S.1943, § 59-824; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 14.
59-825. Violations; proceedings; refusal to attend and testify; penalty.
Any person who shall neglect or refuse to make returns, attend and testify or answer any lawful requirement hereinbefore provided for, or produce books, papers, contracts, agreements, and documents, if in his or her custody, control, or power to do so, in obedience to the subpoena of the courts or lawful requirements of the Attorney General, shall be deemed guilty of a Class IV felony.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 21, p. 645; R.S.1913, § 4065; C.S.1922, § 3468; C.S.1929, § 59-821; R.S.1943, § 59-825; Laws 1977, LB 39, § 67; Laws 1983, LB 32, § 5.
59-826. Violations; proceedings; perjury; penalty.
Whoever knowingly swears to a return or report required by sections 59-801 to 59-831 that is false in any material particular, or knowingly swears to an answer to any of the requirements of such sections that is false in any material particular, shall be deemed guilty of perjury and punished as provided by the laws of this state in reference to perjury.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 21, p. 645; R.S.1913, § 4065; C.S.1922, § 3468; C.S.1929, § 59-821; R.S.1943, § 59-826; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 15.
59-827. Violations; proceedings; subornation of perjury.
Whoever shall knowingly prepare, or cause to be prepared, a report, return, or answer required by sections 59-801 to 59-831 that is false, as aforesaid, shall be guilty of subornation of perjury and punished by law.
Source:Laws 1905, c. 162, § 21, p. 645; R.S.1913, § 4065; C.S.1922, § 3468; C.S.1929, § 59-821; R.S.1943, § 59-827; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 16.
59-830. Actions taken pursuant to state or federal law; reliance on validity; criminal action; limitation.
Source:Laws 1977, LB 524, § 1; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 375; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 19.
59-901. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-902. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-903. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-904. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-1001. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-1002. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 32.
59-1101. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 280, § 1.
59-1102. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 280, § 1.
59-1103. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 280, § 1.
59-1104. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 280, § 1.
59-1105. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 280, § 1.
59-1106. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 280, § 1.
59-1107. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 280, § 1.
59-1108. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 280, § 1.
59-1201. Repealed. Laws 1972, LB 1410, § 3.
59-1202. Repealed. Laws 1972, LB 1410, § 3.
59-1203. Repealed. Laws 1972, LB 1410, § 3.
59-1204. Repealed. Laws 1972, LB 1410, § 3.
59-1205. Repealed. Laws 1972, LB 1410, § 3.
59-1206. Repealed. Laws 1972, LB 1410, § 3.
59-1301. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1302. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1303. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1304. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1305. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1306. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1307. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1308. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1309. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1310. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1311. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1312. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1313. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1314. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1315. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1316. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1317. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1318. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1319. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1320. Repealed. Laws 1945, c. 139, § 9.
59-1401. Terms, defined.
As used in sections 59-1401 to 59-1406, person means any individual, resident or nonresident of this state, and every domestic, foreign, or alien partnership, limited liability company, society, association, or corporation and the words performing rights refer to public performance for profit.
Source:Laws 1945, c. 139, § 1, p. 439; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 376.
59-1402. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 67, § 1.
59-1403. License; tax; Secretary of State; rules and regulations; adopt and publish.
From and after August 10, 1945, there is hereby levied and there shall be collected a tax for the act or privilege of selling, licensing or otherwise disposing in this state of performing rights in any musical composition, which has been copyrighted under the laws of the United States, in an amount equal to three percent of the gross receipts of all such sales, licenses or other dispositions of performing rights in this state payable to the Secretary of State on or before March 15, 1946, with respect to all such gross receipts for the portion of the calendar year 1945 from August 10, 1945, and annually thereafter, on or before March 15 of each succeeding year with respect to the gross receipts of the preceding calendar year. At the time of paying the said tax the Secretary of State shall issue a receipt therefor in duplicate, one of which shall be given to the taxpayer and one filed with the State Treasurer at the time the tax collected is paid by the Secretary of State to the state treasury. The Secretary of State shall adopt and publish rules and regulations not in conflict herewith, as well as a form of return and any other forms necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
Source:Laws 1945, c. 139, § 3, p. 440; Laws 1947, c. 253, § 1, p. 831.
59-1404. Proprietors; assigns; licensees; benefits.
Upon compliance with the provisions of sections 59-1401 to 59-1406 the proprietors, their assigns and licensees, of musical compositions copyrighted under the laws of the United States shall be entitled to all the benefits thereof.
Source:Laws 1945, c. 139, § 4, p. 440.
59-1405. Discrimination in price; price changes; exceptions.
All persons who sell, license the use of or in any manner whatsoever dispose of, in this state, the performing rights in or to any copyrighted musical composition shall refrain from discriminating in price or terms between licensees similarly situated; Provided, however, that differentials based upon applicable business factors which justify different prices or terms shall not be considered discriminations within the meaning of this section; and provided further, that nothing contained in this section shall prevent price changes from time to time by reason of changing conditions affecting the market for or marketability of performing rights.
Source:Laws 1945, c. 139, § 5, p. 440.
59-1406. Violations; penalty.
Any person violating sections 59-1401 to 59-1406 shall be fined an amount not less than one hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars.
Source:Laws 1945, c. 139, § 6, p. 441.
59-1501. Act, how cited.
Sections 59-1501 to 59-1518 shall be known and may be cited as the Unfair Cigarette Sales Act.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 1, p. 1184.
59-1505. Sale of cigarettes; cost to wholesaler; filing with division.
(1) Cost to the wholesaler shall mean the basic cost of cigarettes to the wholesaler plus the cost of doing business by the wholesaler, as evidenced by the standards and methods of accounting regularly employed by him or her in his or her allocation of overhead costs and expenses, paid or incurred, and must include, without limitation, labor costs, including salaries of executives and officers, rent, depreciation, selling costs, maintenance of equipment, delivery costs, all types of licenses, taxes, insurance, and advertising.
(2) In the absence of the filing with the division of satisfactory proof of a lesser or higher cost of doing business by the wholesaler making the sale, the cost of doing business by the wholesaler shall be presumed to be four and three-quarters percent of the basic cost of cigarettes to the wholesaler.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 5, p. 1188; Laws 2008, LB898, § 2.
59-1506. Sale of cigarettes; advertising, offers for sale, sales; combination sales.
In all advertisements, offers for sale or sales involving two or more items, at least one of which items is cigarettes, at a combined price, and in all advertisements, offers for sale or sales involving the giving of any concession of any kind whatsoever, whether it be coupons or otherwise, if such rebate or concession offered or given in connection with the sale of cigarettes is not offered or given by the wholesaler or retailer in the same ratio with respect to all other merchandise as to which such rebate or concession may lawfully be given which is sold by such wholesaler or retailer in the ordinary course of his trade or business, the retailer's or wholesaler's selling price shall not be below the cost to the retailer or the cost to the wholesaler, respectively, of the cigarettes included in such transactions, and the invoice cost, whether the same be paid by the retailer, the wholesaler or any other person, of all other articles, products, commodities and concessions included in such transactions, to which invoice cost shall be added the cost of doing business in the case of the wholesaler and the retailer, respectively, as such cost is defined in sections 59-1504 and 59-1505.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 6, p. 1189.
59-1507. Sale of cigarettes; sale by wholesaler to another wholesaler; sale price; limitation.
When one wholesaler sells cigarettes to any other wholesaler, the former shall not be required to include in his selling price to the latter cost to the wholesaler, as provided by section 59-1505, except that no such sale shall be made at a price less than the basic cost of cigarettes, as defined in section 59-1502, but the latter wholesaler, upon resale to a retailer or for consumption or use, shall be deemed to be the wholesaler governed by the provisions of sections 59-1504 and 59-1505.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 7, p. 1189.
59-1508. Sale of cigarettes; transactions excepted.
The provisions of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518 shall not apply to sales at retail or sales at wholesale made (1) as an isolated transaction and not in the usual course of business; (2) where cigarettes are advertised, offered for sale, or sold in bona fide clearance sales for the purpose of discontinuing trade in such cigarettes and such advertising, offer to sell, or sale shall state the reason therefor and the quantity of such cigarettes advertised, offered for sale, or to be sold; (3) where cigarettes are advertised, offered for sale, or sold as imperfect or damaged, and such advertising, offer to sell or sale shall state the reason therefor and the quantity of such cigarettes advertised, offered for sale, or to be sold; (4) where cigarettes are sold upon the final liquidation of a business; or (5) where cigarettes are advertised, offered for sale, or sold by any fiduciary or other officer acting under the order or direction of any court.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 8, p. 1189.
59-1509. Sale of cigarettes; transactions permitted to meet lawful competition.
(1) Any retailer may advertise, offer to sell, or sell cigarettes at a price made in good faith to meet the price of a competitor who is selling the same article in this state at cost to him as a retailer as prescribed in sections 59-1501 to 59-1518. Any wholesaler may advertise, offer to sell, or sell cigarettes at a price made in good faith to meet the price of a competitor who is rendering the same type of service and is selling the same article at cost to him as a wholesaler as prescribed in sections 59-1501 to 59-1518. The price of cigarettes advertised, offered for sale, or sold under the exceptions specified in section 59-1508 shall not be considered the price of a competitor and shall not be used as a basis for establishing prices below cost, nor shall the price established at a bankruptcy sale be considered the price of a competitor within the meaning of this section.
(2) In the absence of proof of the price of a competitor, under this section, the lowest cost to the retailer, or the lowest cost to the wholesaler, as the case may be, determined by any cost survey, made pursuant to section 59-1513, may be deemed the price of a competitor within the meaning of this section.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 9, p. 1190.
59-1510. Sale of cigarettes; contracts void.
Any contract, expressed or implied, made by any person in violation of any of the provisions of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518, is declared to be an illegal and void contract and no recovery thereon shall be made.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 10, p. 1190.
59-1511. Sale of cigarettes; admissible evidence.
(1) In determining cost to the retailer and cost to the wholesaler the division or a court shall receive and consider as bearing on the good faith of such cost, evidence tending to show that any person complained against under any of the provisions of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518 purchased cigarettes, with respect to the sale of which complaint is made, at a fictitious price, or upon terms, or in such a manner, or under such invoices, as to conceal the true cost, discounts or terms of purchase, and shall also receive and consider as bearing on the good faith of such cost, evidence of the normal, customary and prevailing terms and discounts in connection with other sales of a similar nature in the trade area or state.
(2) Merchandise given free or payment made to a retailer or wholesaler by the manufacturer thereof for display, or advertising, or promotion purposes, or otherwise, shall not be considered in determining the cost of cigarettes to the retailer or wholesaler.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 11, p. 1191.
59-1512. Sale of cigarettes; sales outside ordinary channels.
In establishing the cost of cigarettes to the retailer or wholesaler, the invoice cost of such cigarettes purchased at a forced, bankrupt, or closeout sale, or other sale outside the ordinary channels of trade, may not be used as a basis for justifying a price lower than one based upon the replacement cost of the cigarettes to the retailer or wholesaler in the quantity last purchased through the ordinary channels of trade.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 12, p. 1191.
59-1513. Sale of cigarettes; cost survey.
Where a cost survey, pursuant to recognized statistical and cost-accounting practices, has been made for the trading area in which the offense is committed, to establish the lowest cost to the retailer and the lowest cost to the wholesaler, such cost survey shall be deemed competent evidence to be used in proving the cost to the person complained against within the provisions of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 13, p. 1191.
59-1514. Cigarette tax division; rules and regulations.
The division may adopt rules and regulations for the enforcement of the provisions of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518 and may undertake a cost survey as provided for in section 59-1513.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 14, p. 1191.
59-1515. Sale of cigarettes; actions; remedies.
(1) An action may be maintained in any court of equitable jurisdiction to prevent, restrain or enjoin a violation or threatened violation of any of the provisions of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518. Such an action may be instituted by any person injured by any violation or threatened violation of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518 or by the Attorney General, upon the request of the division. If in such action a violation or threatened violation of the provisions of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518 shall be established, the court shall enjoin and restrain, or otherwise prohibit such violation or threatened violation. In such action, it shall not be necessary that actual damages to the plaintiff be alleged or proved, but where alleged and proved, the plaintiff in such action, in addition to such injunctive relief and costs of suit, including reasonable attorney's fees, shall be entitled to recover from the defendant the actual damages sustained by such plaintiff.
(2) If no injunctive relief is sought or required, any person injured by a violation of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518 may maintain an action for damages and costs of suit in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 15, p. 1192.
59-1517. Cigarette tax division; enforcement of sections.
In order to effectuate the purposes of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518 it shall be the duty of the division to carry out the enforcement provisions of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518. In accordance with the laws of this state the division may, within the limits of available appropriations, employ and fix the duties and compensation of such inspectors and other personnel necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 59-1501 to 59-1518.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 17, p. 1193.
59-1518. Cigarette tax division; powers vested by other laws.
All of the powers vested in the division by the provisions of any law heretofore or hereafter to be enacted, shall be available to the division in the enforcement of the Unfair Cigarette Sales Act.
Source:Laws 1965, c. 364, § 18, p. 1193.
59-1519. Terms, defined.
For purposes of sections 59-1519 to 59-1525:
(1) Cigarettes has the same meaning as in section 77-2601;
(2) Package has the same meaning as in 15 U.S.C. 1332(4), as such section existed on May 1, 2001; and
(3) Person has the same meaning as in section 77-2601.
Source:Laws 2001, LB 358, § 1.
59-1521. Exemptions.
Sections 59-1519 to 59-1525 shall not apply to cigarettes allowed to be imported or brought into the United States for personal use or cigarettes sold or intended to be sold as duty-free merchandise by a duty-free sales enterprise in accordance with the provisions of 19 U.S.C. 1555(b), as such section existed on May 1, 2001.
Source:Laws 2001, LB 358, § 3.
59-1522. Violation; penalty.
Any person that commits any of the acts prohibited by section 59-1520, either knowing or having reason to know he or she is doing so, is guilty of a Class IV felony.
Source:Laws 2001, LB 358, § 4.
59-1523. Disciplinary actions; contraband.
(1) The cigarette tax division of the Tax Commissioner may, after notice and hearing, revoke or suspend for any violation of section 59-1520 the license or licenses of any person licensed under sections 28-1418 to 28-1429.03 or sections 77-2601 to 77-2622.
(2) Cigarettes that are acquired, held, owned, possessed, transported, sold, or distributed in or imported into this state in violation of section 59-1520 are declared to be contraband goods and are subject to seizure and forfeiture. Any cigarettes so seized and forfeited shall be destroyed. Such cigarettes shall be declared to be contraband goods whether the violation of section 59-1520 is knowing or otherwise.
Source:Laws 2001, LB 358, § 5; Laws 2011, LB590, § 2; Laws 2014, LB863, § 27.
59-1524. Deceptive trade practice.
A violation of section 59-1520 shall constitute a deceptive trade practice under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act and, in addition to any remedies or penalties set forth in sections 59-1519 to 59-1525, shall be subject to any remedies or penalties available for a violation under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Source:Laws 2001, LB 358, § 6.
59-1525. Enforcement.
(1) Sections 59-1519 to 59-1525 shall be enforced by the cigarette tax division of the Tax Commissioner, except that at the request of the division or the division's duly authorized agent, the Nebraska State Patrol and any peace officer shall enforce the provisions of sections 59-1519 to 59-1525. The Attorney General has concurrent power with the county attorney or other prosecuting attorney of the state to enforce sections 59-1519 to 59-1525.
(2) For the purpose of enforcing sections 59-1519 to 59-1525, the division and any agency delegated enforcement responsibility pursuant to subsection (1) of this section may request information from any state or local agency and may share information with, and request information from, any federal agency and any other state or local agency.
Source:Laws 2001, LB 358, § 7.
59-1601. Terms, defined.
For purposes of the Consumer Protection Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) Person shall mean natural persons, corporations, trusts, unincorporated associations, partnerships, and limited liability companies;
(2) Trade and commerce shall mean the sale of assets or services and any commerce directly or indirectly affecting the people of the State of Nebraska; and
(3) Assets shall mean any property, tangible or intangible, real, personal, or mixed, and wherever situated, and any other thing of value.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 8; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 378.
The Consumer Protection Act is equitable in nature. State ex rel. Stenberg v. Consumer's Choice Foods, 276 Neb. 481, 755 N.W.2d 583 (2008).
59-1602. Unfair competition; practices; unlawful.
Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce shall be unlawful.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 9.
It was a violation of the Consumer Protection Act when consumers were led to believe they would receive a free freezer or another appliance by entering into a contract for food. State ex rel. Stenberg v. Consumer's Choice Foods, 276 Neb. 481, 755 N.W.2d 583 (2008).
To be actionable under the Nebraska Consumer Protection Act, the unfair or deceptive act or practice must have an impact upon the public interest. Nelson v. Lusterstone Surfacing Co., 258 Neb. 678, 605 N.W.2d 136 (2000).
Attorney General may bring an action to recover a civil penalty for a violation of this section. State ex rel. Stenberg v. American Midlands, 244 Neb. 887, 509 N.W.2d 633 (1994).
59-1603. Contracts, combinations, conspiracies in restraint of trade; unlawful.
Any contract, combination, in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce shall be unlawful.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 10.
A conspiracy need not be established by direct evidence of the acts charged, but may, and generally must, be proved by a number of indefinite acts, conditions, and circumstances which vary according to the purposes to be accomplished. State ex rel. Douglas v. Associated Grocers, 214 Neb. 79, 332 N.W.2d 690 (1983).
59-1604. Monopolies and attempted monopolies; unlawful.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 11.
As related to a course of action for any person injured in violation of this section, section 59-1609 contemplates an action by indirect purchasers. Arthur v. Microsoft Corp., 267 Neb. 586, 676 N.W.2d 29 (2004).
This section allows any person who is injured by a violation of sections 59-1602 to 59-1606 which directly or indirectly affects the people of Nebraska to bring a civil action to recover damages. Arthur v. Microsoft Corp., 267 Neb. 586, 676 N.W.2d 29 (2004).
59-1605. Transactions and agreements not to use or deal in commodities or services of competitor; unlawful; when.
It shall be unlawful for any person to lease or sell or contract for sale of goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodities, or services, whether patented or unpatented, for use, consumption, enjoyment, or resale, or fix a price charged therefor, or discount from, or rebate upon, such price, on the condition, agreement, or understanding that the lessee or purchaser thereof shall not use or deal in the goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodity or services of a competitor of the lessor or seller, when the effect of such lease, sale, or contract for such sale or such condition, agreement, or understanding may be to substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly in any line of commerce.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 12.
59-1607. Labor not an article of commerce.
The labor of a human being shall not be a commodity or article of commerce. Nothing contained in the Consumer Protection Act shall be construed to forbid the existence and operation of labor, agricultural, or horticultural organizations, instituted for the purposes of mutual help, and not having capital stock or conducted for profit, or to forbid or restrain individual members of such organizations from lawfully carrying out the legitimate objects thereof.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 14; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 22.
59-1608.01. Enforcement of act; venue.
In the enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act, the Attorney General may bring an action in the name of the state in the district court of the county in which the alleged violator resides or has his or her principal place of business or in Lancaster County.
Source:Laws 1983, LB 32, § 6; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 24.
59-1608.02. Repealed. Laws 2006, LB 1061, § 29.
59-1608.04. State Settlement Cash Fund; created; use; investment; transfer.
(1) The State Settlement Cash Fund is created. The fund shall be maintained by the Department of Justice and administered by the Attorney General. Except as otherwise provided by law, the fund shall consist of all recoveries received pursuant to the Consumer Protection Act, including any money, funds, securities, or other things of value in the nature of civil damages or other payment, except criminal penalties, whether such recovery is by way of verdict, judgment, compromise, or settlement in or out of court, or other final disposition of any case or controversy, or any other payments received on behalf of the state by the Department of Justice and administered by the Attorney General for the benefit of the state or the general welfare of its citizens, but excluding all funds held in a trust capacity where specific benefits accrue to specific individuals, organizations, or governments. The fund may be expended for any allowable legal purposes as determined by the Attorney General. Transfers from the State Settlement Cash Fund may be made at the direction of the Legislature to the Nebraska Capital Construction Fund and the General Fund. To provide necessary financial accountability and management oversight, revenue from individual settlement agreements or other separate sources credited to the State Settlement Cash Fund may be tracked and accounted for within the state accounting system through the use of separate and distinct funds, subfunds, or any other available accounting mechanism specifically approved by the Accounting Administrator for use by the Department of Justice. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.
(3) The State Treasurer shall transfer seven hundred fifty thousand dollars from the State Settlement Cash Fund to the General Fund on or before June 30, 2018, on such dates and in such amounts as directed by the budget administrator of the budget division of the Department of Administrative Services.
(4) The State Treasurer shall transfer seven hundred fifty thousand dollars from the State Settlement Cash Fund to the General Fund on or before June 30, 2019, on such dates and in such amounts as directed by the budget administrator of the budget division of the Department of Administrative Services.
Source:Laws 2006, LB 1061, § 4; Laws 2009, First Spec. Sess., LB3, § 34; Laws 2010, LB190, § 7; Laws 2011, LB549, § 8; Laws 2013, LB199, § 26; Laws 2017, LB331, § 26.
59-1608.05. State Settlement Trust Fund; created; use; investment.
The State Settlement Trust Fund is created. The fund shall be maintained by the Department of Justice and administered by the Attorney General. Except as otherwise provided by law, the fund shall consist of all recoveries received pursuant to the Consumer Protection Act, including any money, funds, securities, or other things of value in the nature of civil damages or other payment, except criminal penalties, whether such recovery shall be by way of verdict, judgment, compromise, or settlement in or out of court, or other final disposition of any case or controversy, or any other payments received on behalf of the state by the Department of Justice and administered by the Attorney General, but to include only those funds held in a trust capacity where specific benefits accrue to specific individuals, organizations, or governments. All money in the State Settlement Trust Fund shall be subject to legislative review, but shall not be subject to legislative appropriation. The fund shall be expended consistent with any legal restrictions placed on the funds. The fund shall be paid from the same budget program used to record revenue and expenditures of the State Settlement Cash Fund, except that the fund shall only be expended from a separate and distinct budget subprogram and shall not be commingled with any other revenue or expenditure. To provide necessary financial accountability and management oversight, revenue from individual settlement agreements or other separate sources credited to the fund may be tracked and accounted for within the state accounting system through the use of separate and distinct funds, subfunds, or any other available accounting mechanism specifically approved by the Accounting Administrator for use by the Department of Justice. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.
Source:Laws 2006, LB 1061, § 5.
59-1610. Assurance of discontinuance of prohibited act; approval of court; not considered admission.
In the enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act, the Attorney General may accept an assurance of discontinuance of any act or practice deemed in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, from any person who engages in, or who has engaged in, such act or practice. Any such assurance shall be in writing and be filed with and subject to the approval of the district court of the county in which the alleged violator resides or has his or her principal place of business, or in Lancaster County.
Such assurance of discontinuance shall not be considered an admission of a violation for any purpose, but proof of failure to comply with the assurance of discontinuance shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the Consumer Protection Act.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 17; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 28.
59-1612. Limitation of action.
Any action to enforce a claim for damages under section 59-1609 shall be forever barred unless commenced within four years after the cause of action accrues; Provided, that whenever any action is brought by the Attorney General for a violation of sections 59-1602 to 59-1606, except actions for the recovery of a civil penalty for violation of an injunction or actions under section 59-1609, the running of such statute of limitations, with respect to every private right of action for damages under section 59-1609 which is based in whole or part on any matter complained of in the action by the Attorney General, shall be suspended during the pendency thereof.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 19.
59-1613. Final judgment or decree; prima facie evidence in civil action; exception.
A final judgment or decree rendered in any action brought under section 59-1608 by the state to the effect that a defendant has violated sections 59-1602 to 59-1606 shall be prima facie evidence against such defendant in any action brought by any party against such defendant under section 59-1609 as to all matters as to which such judgment or decree would be an estoppel as between the parties thereto; Provided, that this section shall not apply to consent judgments or decrees when the court makes no finding of illegality.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 20.
59-1615. Dissolution, suspension, or forfeiture of corporate franchise.
Upon petition by the Attorney General, the court may, in its discretion, order the dissolution, or suspension or forfeiture of franchise, of any corporation which violates section 59-1603 or 59-1604 or the terms of any injunction issued as provided in the Consumer Protection Act.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 22; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 31.
59-1616. Personal service of process outside state.
Personal service of any process in an action under the Consumer Protection Act may be made upon any person outside the state if such person has engaged in conduct in violation of the act which has had impact in this state which the act prohibits.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 23; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 32.
59-1618. Agricultural products; producers; associations; form; requirements.
Persons engaged in the production of agricultural products as farmers, planters, ranchmen, dairymen, nut growers, or fruit growers may act together in associations, corporate or otherwise, with or without capital stock, in collectively processing, preparing for market, handling, and marketing such products in intrastate commerce. Such associations may have marketing agencies in common, and the associations and their members may make the necessary contracts and agreements to effect such purposes. The associations shall be operated for the mutual benefit of the members thereof, as such producers, and conform to one or both of the following requirements:
(1) That no member of the association is allowed more than one vote because of the amount of stock or membership capital he may own therein; or
(2) That the association does not pay dividends on stock or membership capital in excess of eight percent per annum.
Such association shall not deal in the products of nonmembers to an amount greater in value than such as are handled by it for members.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 25.
59-1619. Agricultural associations; monopolies; restraint of trade; Attorney General; complaint; notice of hearing.
If the Attorney General shall have reason to believe that any association described in section 59-1618 monopolizes or restrains trade to such an extent that the price of any agricultural product is unduly enhanced by reason thereof, he shall serve upon such association a complaint stating his charge in that respect, to which complaint shall be attached or in which shall be contained a notice of hearing, specifying a day and place not less than thirty days after the service thereof, requiring the association to show cause why an order should not be made directing it to cease and desist from monopolization or restraint of trade.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 26.
59-1620. Contracts and agreements in restraint of trade; void; voidable.
All contracts and agreements made in restraint of trade by coconspirators in violation of the provisions of section 59-1603, 59-1604, or 59-1605 shall be void. All contracts and agreements made between a conspirator and an innocent party in violation of the provisions of section 59-1603, 59-1604, or 59-1605 shall be voidable by the innocent party.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 27.
59-1621. Conspiracy in restraint of trade; findings; prima facie evidence.
Upon a finding in district court that a conspiracy in restraint of trade existed in an action brought pursuant to section 59-1603 or 59-1604, that finding shall constitute prima facie evidence of the existence of the conspiracy in subsequent civil actions involving the conspiracy.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 28.
59-1622. Officers; liable for debts and obligations; when.
Every president, treasurer, general manager, agent, or other person exercising the powers of such office of any corporation, joint-stock company, or other association, who has himself, in its behalf, knowingly violated, united to violate, or consented to the violation of the provisions of section 59-1603, 59-1604, or 59-1605, shall thereafter be personally liable for all debts and obligations of any such corporation, joint-stock company, or other association created while such person holds such office or agency and which were incurred in the furtherance of that violation.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 29.
59-1623. Act, how cited.
Sections 59-1601 to 59-1622 shall be known and may be cited as the Consumer Protection Act.
Source:Laws 1974, LB 1028, § 30; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 33; Laws 2006, LB 1061, § 2.
59-1701. Legislative intent and findings; seller-assisted marketing plans.
(1) The Legislature finds and declares that the widespread sale of seller-assisted marketing plans, often connected with the sale of vending machines, vending racks, or work-at-home paraphernalia, has created numerous problems in Nebraska for purchasers which are inimical to good business practice. Often purchasers of seller-assisted marketing plans are individuals inexperienced in business matters who use their life savings to purchase the seller-assisted marketing plan in the hope that they will earn enough money in addition to retirement income or salary to become or remain self-sufficient. Many purchasers are the elderly who are seeking a way to supplement their fixed incomes. The initial payment is usually in the form of a purchase of overpriced equipment or products. Nebraska purchasers have suffered substantial losses when they have failed to receive full and complete information regarding the seller-assisted marketing plan, the amount of money they can reasonably expect to earn, and the previous experience of the seller-assisted marketing plan seller. Seller-assisted marketing plan sellers have a significant impact upon the economy and well-being of this state and its local communities. The provisions of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act relating to seller-assisted marketing plans are necessary for the public welfare.
(2) It is the intent of the act to provide each prospective seller-assisted marketing plan purchaser with the information necessary to make an intelligent decision regarding seller-assisted marketing plans being offered, to safeguard the public against deceit and financial hardship, to insure, foster, and encourage competition and fair dealing in the sale of seller-assisted marketing plans by requiring adequate disclosure, to prohibit representations that tend to mislead, and to prohibit or restrict unfair contract terms. The act shall be construed liberally in order to achieve such purposes.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 1; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 2.
59-1701.01. Act, how cited.
Sections 59-1701 to 59-1762 shall be known and may be cited as the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act.
Source:Laws 1993, LB 218, § 1; Laws 2003, LB 217, § 41.
59-1702. Definitions; where found.
For purposes of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions found in sections 59-1703 to 59-1714.01 shall be used.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 2; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 3.
59-1703. Seller-assisted marketing plan, defined.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 3; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 4; Laws 1995, LB 599, § 16; Laws 2003, LB 217, § 42.
59-1704. Person, defined.
Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, or business entity.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 4; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 379.
59-1705. Seller, defined.
Seller shall mean a person who sells or leases or offers to sell or lease a seller-assisted marketing plan and:
(1) Has sold, leased, represents, or implies that the seller has sold or leased, whether in Nebraska or elsewhere, at least five seller-assisted marketing plans within twenty-four months prior to a solicitation; or
(2) Intends, represents, or implies that the seller intends to sell or lease, whether in Nebraska or elsewhere, at least five seller-assisted marketing plans within twelve months following a solicitation. If the seller intends to sell four or less seller-assisted marketing plans within the time period stated in this subdivision, the seller, in order to be excluded from the provisions of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act, shall notify each purchaser in writing at the time of sale of its intention to sell only four or less seller-assisted marketing plans.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 5; Laws 1983, LB 461, § 1; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 5.
59-1706. Purchaser, defined.
Purchaser shall mean a person who is solicited to become obligated or does become obligated on a seller-assisted marketing plan contract.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 6.
59-1707. Equipment, defined.
Equipment shall mean machines, all electrical devices, video or audio devices, molds, display racks, vending machines, coin-operated game machines, machines which dispense products, and display units of all kinds.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 7.
59-1708. Supplies, defined.
Supplies shall mean any and all materials used to produce, grow, breed, or make any product or item.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 8.
59-1709. Product, defined.
Product shall mean any tangible chattel, including food or living animals, which the purchaser intends to:
(1) Sell or lease to the general public;
(2) Use to perform a service for the general public;
(3) Resell or attempt to resell to the seller of the seller-assisted marketing plan; or
(4) Provide or attempt to provide to the seller of the seller-assisted marketing plan so that such seller might resell the product to the general public.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 9.
59-1710. Services, defined.
Services shall mean any assistance, guidance, direction, work, labor, or services provided by the seller to initiate or maintain the seller-assisted marketing plan.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 10.
59-1711. Seller-assisted marketing plan contract or contract, defined.
Seller-assisted marketing plan contract or contract shall mean any contract or agreement which obligates a purchaser to a seller.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 11.
59-1712. Initial payment, defined.
Initial payment shall mean the total amount a purchaser is obligated to pay under the terms of the seller-assisted marketing plan contract prior to or at the time of delivery of the equipment, supplies, products, or services or within six months of the purchaser commencing operation of the seller-assisted marketing plan. If the contract sets forth a specific total sale price for purchase of the seller-assisted marketing plan which total price is to be paid partially as a downpayment and then in specific monthly payments, the initial payment shall mean the entire total sale price.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 12.
59-1713. Buy-back or secured investment, defined.
Buy-back or secured investment shall mean any representation which implies in any manner that the purchaser's initial payment is protected from loss.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 13.
59-1714. Ongoing business, defined.
Ongoing business shall mean one which for at least six months previous to the sale:
(1) Has been operated from a specific given location;
(2) Has been open for business to the general public; and
(3) Has had all equipment and supplies necessary for operating the business located at the specific given location.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 14.
59-1714.01. License, defined.
License shall mean the right or permission to use (1) material or personal property, including computer programs, protected under the copyright or patent laws of the United States or any foreign government and (2) a trademark, service mark, or trade name registered under Nebraska law or the law of any other state, of the United States, or of any foreign government.
Source:Laws 1993, LB 218, § 7.
59-1715. Seller-assisted marketing plan; securities excluded.
A seller-assisted marketing plan shall not include a security as defined by subdivision (15) of section 8-1101.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 15; Laws 1993, LB 216, § 12; Laws 1997, LB 335, § 13.
59-1716. Seller-assisted marketing plan; real estate or insurance transactions; excluded.
A seller-assisted marketing plan shall not include any transaction for which either the seller, purchaser, lessor, or lessee is licensed pursuant to and the transaction is governed by the State Real Estate Commission or the Department of Insurance.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 16.
59-1717. Seller-assisted marketing plan; sales under certain license; excluded.
A seller-assisted marketing plan shall not include a license granted by a general merchandise retailer which allows the licensee to sell goods, equipment, supplies, products, or services to the general public under the retailer's trademark, trade name, or service mark when the general merchandise retailer has been doing business continuously for five years prior to the granting of the license.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 17.
59-1718. Seller-assisted marketing plan; sale or lease to ongoing business enterprises; excluded.
A seller-assisted marketing plan shall not include a sale or lease to an ongoing business enterprise which also sells or leases equipment, products, or supplies or performs services which are not supplied by the seller and which the purchaser does not utilize with the equipment, products, supplies, or services of the seller.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 18; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 6.
59-1718.01. Seller-assisted marketing plan; sales under five hundred dollars; excluded.
A seller-assisted marketing plan shall not include the sale of a business opportunity for which the immediate cash payment made by the purchaser does not exceed five hundred dollars and the payment is made for the not-for-profit sale of sales demonstration equipment, material, or samples for use in making sales and not for resale or the payment is made for product inventory sold to the purchaser at a bona fide wholesale price.
Source:Laws 1993, LB 218, § 8.
59-1719. Seller-assisted marketing plan; sale of an ongoing business; excluded.
A seller-assisted marketing plan shall not include the sale of an ongoing business.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 19.
59-1720. Seller-assisted marketing plan; certain sale, lease, or offer; excluded.
A seller-assisted marketing plan shall not include a sale, lease, or offer to sell or lease to a purchaser: (1) Who has for a period of at least six months previously bought products, supplies, services, or equipment which were sold under the same trademark or trade name or which were produced by the seller; and (2) who has received on resale of such product, supplies, services, or equipment an amount which is at least equal to the amount of the initial payment.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 20.
59-1721. Seller-assisted marketing plan; renewal or extension of existing plan; excluded.
A seller-assisted marketing plan shall not include the renewal or extension of an existing seller-assisted marketing plan contract.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 21.
59-1722.01. Transaction; exemption from act; provisions applicable.
Any transaction in which the purchaser makes or will become obligated to make a total initial payment of an amount not exceeding five hundred dollars shall be exempt from the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act, except that such transactions shall be subject to section 59-1751, to subdivision (1)(d) of section 59-1757, and to those provisions in the act regulating or prescribing the use of the phrase buy-back or secured investment or similar phrases as set forth in sections 59-1726 to 59-1728.
Source:Laws 2003, LB 217, § 44.
59-1723. Seller-assisted marketing plan; sale, lease, or offer; occurs; when.
(1) An offer to sell or offer to lease a seller-assisted marketing plan shall occur in this state whenever:
(a) The offer to sell or offer to lease is made in this state;
(b) The purchaser resides in this state at the time of the offer; or
(c) The offer to sell or offer to lease either originates from this state or is directed by the seller or lessor to this state and received at the place to which it is directed.
(2) A sale or lease of a seller-assisted marketing plan shall occur in this state whenever:
(a) The offer to sell or offer to lease is accepted in this state;
(b) The purchaser resides in this state at the time of the sale; or
(c) The acceptance is communicated to a seller situated in this state.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 23.
59-1726. Marketing plan; seller; use of certain phrases; prohibited.
In selling, leasing, or offering to sell or lease a seller-assisted marketing plan in this state, sellers of such plans shall not:
(1) Use the phrase buy-back or secured investment or similar phrase orally or in writing when soliciting, offering, leasing, or selling a seller-assisted marketing plan if the security is the value of the equipment, supplies, products, or services supplied by the seller to the purchaser; or
(2) Use the phrase buy-back or secured investment or similar phrase orally or in writing when soliciting, offering, leasing, or selling a seller-assisted marketing plan unless there are no restrictions or qualifications whatsoever preventing or limiting a purchaser from being able to invoke the buy-back or secured portion of the seller-assisted marketing plan contract at any time the purchaser desires during the one-year period following the contract date.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 26.
59-1727. Marketing plan; buy-back or security investment provision; invoked; entitlement.
Upon invocation of the buy-back or security investment provision under section 59-1726, the minimum amount a purchaser shall be entitled to have returned to him or her is the full amount of his or her initial payment, less the money actually received by him or her from the operation of the seller-assisted marketing plan. The amount actually received shall be either the amount the purchaser actually obtained from the seller for any product resold to the seller or the amount of money the general public pays for use of the purchaser's product, equipment, supplies, or services, less any amount the purchaser has paid the owner or manager of the location at which the purchaser's products, equipment, supplies, or services are placed.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 27.
59-1728. Marketing plan; payment secured; buy-back arrangement; representations; prohibited; exception.
In selling, leasing, or offering to sell or lease a seller-assisted marketing plan in this state, sellers of such plans shall not represent that a purchaser's initial payment is secured in any manner or to any degree or that the seller provides a buy-back arrangement unless the seller has, in conformity with section 59-1751, either obtained a surety bond issued by a surety company admitted to do business in this state or established a trust account.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 28; Laws 1995, LB 599, § 17.
59-1729. Marketing plan; earning potential claim; substantiated by data.
In selling, leasing, or offering to sell or lease a seller-assisted marketing plan in this state, sellers of such plans shall not represent that the seller-assisted marketing plan provides income or earning potential of any kind unless the seller has data to substantiate the claims of income or earning potential and discloses this data to the purchaser at the time the claim is made, if made in person, or if made through written or telephonic communication, at the first in-person communication thereafter and, when disclosed, the data is left with the purchaser. A mathematical computation of the number of sales, multiplied by the amount of profit per sale to reach a projected income figure is not sufficient data to substantiate an income or earning potential claim. The data left by the seller must at least disclose:
(1) The length of time the seller has been selling the particular seller-assisted marketing plan being offered;
(2) The number and percentage such number represents of the total number of purchasers who form the basis for the income or earning potential representation; and
(3) The number of purchasers known to the seller to have made at least the same sales, income, or profits as those represented.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 29.
59-1730. Marketing plan; advertising; commercial symbol; requirements.
In selling, leasing, or offering to sell or lease a seller-assisted marketing plan in this state, sellers of such plans shall not use the trademark, service mark, trade name, logotype, advertising, or other commercial symbol of any business which does not either control the ownership interest in the seller or accept responsibility for all representations made by the seller in regard to the seller-assisted marketing plan, unless the nature of the seller's relationship to such other business entity is set forth immediately adjacent to and in type size equal to or larger than that used to depict the commercial symbol of such other business. If a member of a trade association, the seller may use the logo or registration mark of the trade association in advertisements and materials without regard to this section.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 30.
59-1731. Marketing plan; advertisement; name and address of seller; required.
In selling, leasing, or offering to sell or lease a seller-assisted marketing plan in this state, sellers of such plans shall not place or cause to be placed any advertisement for a seller-assisted marketing plan which does not include the actual business name of the seller, and if it differs, the name under which the seller-assisted marketing plan is operated and the street address of the principal place of business of the seller.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 31.
59-1732. Seller-assisted marketing plan; potential purchaser; seller provide disclosure document.
In the first in-person communication with a potential purchaser or in the first written response to an inquiry by a potential purchaser wherein the seller-assisted marketing plan is described, the seller shall provide the prospective purchaser a written disclosure document which contains the disclosure information required by sections 59-1733 to 59-1740. Such disclosure document shall contain a cover sheet entitled in at least sixteen-point boldface capital letters DISCLOSURE REQUIRED BY NEBRASKA LAW. Under the title shall appear, in boldface of at least ten-point type, the statement: The State of Nebraska has not reviewed and does not approve, recommend, endorse, or sponsor any seller-assisted marketing plan. The information contained in this disclosure has not been checked by the state. If you have any questions about this purchase, see an attorney or other financial advisor before you sign a contract or agreement.
Nothing shall appear on the cover sheet except the title and the statement required by this section. A disclosure document prepared pursuant to sections 59-1733 to 59-1740 shall include a statement which either positively or negatively responds to each disclosure item required by sections 59-1733 and 59-1735 by use of a statement which fully incorporates the information required by the item. This disclosure document shall be given to the potential purchaser and held by the potential purchaser for at least forty-eight hours prior to the execution of a seller-assisted marketing contract or at least forty-eight hours prior to the receipt of any consideration.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 32; Laws 1983, LB 461, § 3; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 13; Laws 1995, LB 599, § 18.
59-1734. Repealed. Laws 1983, LB 461, § 10.
59-1736. Seller; officers, directors, partners, managers; conviction or judgment; disclosure.
The statements required by subdivision (2) of section 59-1735 shall set forth the court, the date of the conviction or of the judgment and, when involved, the name of the governmental agency that brought the action resulting in the conviction or judgment.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 36.
59-1737. Disclosure document; disclose period of time plan sold or offered.
The disclosure document required by section 59-1732 shall contain the length of time the seller of the plan has sold seller-assisted marketing plans, and the length of time the seller has sold the specific seller-assisted marketing plan being offered to the purchaser.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 37; Laws 1983, LB 461, § 6.
59-1739. Disclosure document; contain financial information; verification.
The disclosure document required by section 59-1732 shall contain a copy of a financial statement of the seller, not more than twelve months old, together with a statement of any material changes in the financial condition of the seller from the date thereof. Such financial statement shall either be audited or be signed under penalty of perjury by one of the seller's officers, directors, trustees, general or limited partners, or limited liability company members. The declaration under penalty of perjury shall indicate that to the best of the signatory's knowledge and belief the information in the financial statement is true and accurate. If a seller is a subsidiary of another corporation which is permitted by generally accepted accounting standards to prepare financial statements on a consolidated basis, the information required by this section may be submitted in the same manner for the parent corporation if the corresponding financial statement of the seller is also provided and the parent corporation absolutely and irrevocably has agreed to guarantee all obligations of the seller.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 39; Laws 1983, LB 461, § 8; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 381; Laws 1994, LB 884, § 78.
59-1740. Disclosure document; contain unexecuted copy of marketing plan contract.
The disclosure document required by section 59-1732 shall contain an unexecuted copy of the entire seller-assisted marketing plan contract.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 40; Laws 1983, LB 461, § 9.
59-1741. Seller-assisted marketing plan; contract for sale or lease; written; copy to purchaser.
Every contract for sale or lease of a seller-assisted marketing plan in this state shall be in writing and shall be subject to the provisions of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act. A copy of the fully completed contract and all other documents the seller requires the purchaser to sign shall be given to the purchaser at the time such documents are signed.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 41; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 16.
59-1742. Marketing plan contract; contents; requirements.
Every seller-assisted marketing plan contract shall set forth in at least ten-point type or equivalent size if handwritten, the following:
(1) The terms and conditions of payment including the initial payment, additional payments, and downpayment required;
(3) The seller's principal business address and the name and address of its agent in the State of Nebraska authorized to receive service of process;
(4) The business form of the seller, whether a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or otherwise;
(5) The delivery date or, when the contract provides for a staggered delivery of items to the purchaser, the approximate delivery date of those products, equipment, or supplies the seller is to deliver to the purchaser to enable the purchaser to begin or maintain his or her business and whether the products, equipment, or supplies are to be delivered to the purchaser's home or business address or are to be placed or caused to be placed by the seller at locations owned or managed by persons other than the purchaser;
(6) A complete description of the nature of the buy-back or security arrangement, if the seller has represented orally or in writing when selling or leasing, soliciting, or offering a seller-assisted marketing plan that there is a buy-back or that the initial payment is secured; and
(7) A statement which accurately sets forth a purchaser's right to void the contract under the circumstances and in the manner set forth in sections 59-1752 to 59-1755.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 42; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 382.
59-1743. Marketing plan contract; purchaser; right to cancel; when.
The purchaser shall have the right to cancel a seller-assisted marketing plan contract for any reason at any time within three business days of the date the purchaser and the seller sign the contract pursuant to section 59-1744. The notice of the right to cancel and the procedures to be followed when a contract is canceled shall comply with sections 59-1743 and 59-1744.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 43.
59-1744. Marketing plan contract; contain notice of right to cancel.
Every seller-assisted marketing plan contract shall set forth immediately above the place at which the purchaser signs the contract in at least ten-point type the following:
You have three business days in which you may cancel this contract for any reason by mailing or delivering written notice to the seller-assisted marketing plan seller. The three business days shall expire on ........................, (last date to mail or deliver notice) and notice of cancellation should be mailed to ........................................, (seller-assisted marketing plan seller's name and business street address). If you choose to mail your notice, it must be placed in the United States mail properly addressed, first-class postage prepaid, and postmarked before midnight of the above date. If you choose to deliver your notice to the seller directly, it must be delivered to him or her by the end of his or her normal business day on the above date. Within five business days of receipt of the notice of cancellation, the seller shall return to the purchaser all sums paid by the purchaser to the seller pursuant to this contract. Within five business days after receipt of all such sums, the purchaser shall make available at his or her address or at the place at which they were caused to be located, all equipment, products, and supplies provided to the purchaser pursuant to this contract. Upon demand of the seller, such equipment, products, and supplies shall be made available at the time the purchaser receives full repayment by cash, money order, or certified check.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 44.
59-1745. Marketing plan contract; execution of certain notes prohibited.
No seller-assisted marketing plan contract shall require or entail the execution of any note or series of notes by the purchaser which, when separately negotiated, will cut off as to third parties any right of action or defense which the purchaser may have against the seller.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 45.
59-1746. Marketing plan contract; downpayment; conditions.
If the contract referred to in section 59-1741 provides for a downpayment to be paid to the seller, the downpayment shall not exceed twenty percent of the initial payment amount. In no event shall the contract payment schedule provide for the seller to receive more than twenty percent of the initial payment before delivery to the purchaser, or to the place at which they are to be located, the equipment, supplies, or products, unless all sums in excess of twenty percent are placed in an escrow account which cannot be released until the purchaser notifies the escrow agent in writing of the delivery of such equipment, supplies, or products. Notification of delivery by the purchaser to the escrow agent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 46.
59-1747. Marketing plan contract; assignee; rights, defenses.
Any assignee of the seller-assisted marketing plan contract or the seller's rights is subject to all equities, rights, and defenses of the purchaser against the seller.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 47.
59-1748. Reference to compliance with act; prohibited.
No seller shall make or authorize the making of any reference to its compliance with the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 48; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 17.
59-1749. Marketing plan; seller; records required.
Every seller subject to the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act shall at all times keep and maintain a complete set of books, records, and accounts of seller-assisted marketing plan sales made by the seller. All documents relating to each specific seller-assisted marketing plan sold or leased shall be maintained for four years after the date of the seller-assisted marketing plan contract.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 49; Laws 2003, LB 217, § 43.
59-1750. Seller-assisted marketing plan; service of process.
Selling or offering to sell a seller-assisted marketing plan in this state shall constitute sufficient contact with this state for the exercise of personal jurisdiction over the seller in any action arising under the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 50; Laws 1983, LB 447, § 77; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 18.
59-1752. Seller; noncompliance with act; contract; voidable; purchaser; remedies.
If (1) a seller uses any untrue or misleading statements relating to a seller-assisted marketing plan, (2) a seller fails to provide the disclosure documents or disclose any of the information required by sections 59-1732 to 59-1740, or (3) the contract does not comply with the requirements of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act, then within one year of the date of the contract at the election of the purchaser upon written notice to the seller, the contract shall be voidable by the purchaser and unenforceable by the seller or his or her assignee as contrary to public policy and the purchaser shall be entitled to receive from the seller all sums paid to the seller when the purchaser is able to return all equipment, supplies, or products delivered by the seller. When such complete return cannot be made, the purchaser shall be entitled to receive from the seller all sums paid to the seller less the fair market value at the time of delivery of the equipment, supplies, or products not returned by the purchaser, but delivered by the seller. Upon the receipt of such sums, the purchaser shall make available to the seller, at the purchaser's address or at the places at which they are located at the time the purchaser gives notice pursuant to this section, the products, equipment, or supplies received by the purchaser from the seller.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 52; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 20.
59-1753. Seller; inadvertent defects; cure; purchaser; rights.
If the seller inadvertently has failed to make any of the disclosures required by sections 59-1732 to 59-1740 or the contract inadvertently fails to comply with the requirements of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act, the seller may cure such inadvertent defect by providing the purchaser with the correct disclosure documents or contract if at the time of providing such correct disclosures or contract the seller also informs the purchaser in writing that because of the seller's error, the purchaser shall have an additional fifteen-day period after receipt of the correct disclosures or contract within which to cancel the contract and receive a full return of all money paid in exchange for return of whatever equipment, supplies, or products the purchaser has. If the purchaser does not cancel the contract within fifteen days after receipt of the correct disclosures or contract, he or she may not in the future exercise his or her right to void the contract under this section and sections 59-1752, 59-1754, and 59-1755 due to such noncompliance with the disclosure or contract requirements of the act.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 53; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 21.
59-1754. Seller; failure to deliver products; contract voidable.
If a seller fails to deliver the equipment, supplies, or products within thirty days of the delivery date stated in the contract, unless such delivery delay is beyond the control of the seller, then at any time prior to delivery or within thirty days after delivery, at the election of the purchaser upon written notice to the seller, the contract shall be voidable by the purchaser and unenforceable by the seller or his or her assignee.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 54.
59-1755. Purchaser rights; cumulative.
The rights of the purchaser set forth in sections 59-1752 to 59-1754 shall be cumulative to all other rights under the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act or otherwise.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 55; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 22.
59-1756. Purchaser; waiver of rights; unenforceable.
Any waiver by a purchaser of the provisions of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act shall be deemed contrary to public policy and shall be void and unenforceable. Any attempt by a seller to have a purchaser waive rights given by the act shall be a violation of the act.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 56; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 23.
59-1758. Violation; action for recovery of damages; award; statute of limitations.
(1) Any purchaser injured by a violation of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act or by the seller's breach of a contract subject to the act or of any obligation arising from the sale or lease of the seller-assisted marketing plan may bring an action for recovery of damages. Judgment shall be entered for actual damages suffered by the purchaser, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs. When the purchaser is able to return all the equipment, supplies, or products delivered by the seller, the actual damages awarded shall not be less than the amount of the initial payment. When such complete return cannot be made, the actual damages awarded shall not be less than the amount of the initial payment less the fair market value at the time of delivery of the equipment, supplies, or products that cannot be returned but were actually delivered by the seller.
(2) Any action brought pursuant to this section shall be commenced within five years of the date of the sale of the seller-assisted marketing plan.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 58; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 25.
59-1758.01. Burden of proof.
In any proceeding under the provisions of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act, the burden of proving an exemption or an exclusion from a definition or from the provisions of the act shall be upon the person claiming it.
Source:Laws 1993, LB 218, § 26; Laws 2003, LB 217, § 45.
59-1759. Remedies; not exclusive.
The provisions of the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act are not exclusive. The remedies provided for violation of any provision of the act or for conduct prescribed by any provision of the act shall be in addition to any other procedures or remedies for any violation or conduct provided for in any other law.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 59; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 28.
59-1760. Statutory or common-law rights; available.
Nothing in the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act shall limit any statutory or common-law rights of the Attorney General, any county attorney, or any city attorney, or any other person. If any act or practice prescribed under the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act also constitutes a cause of action in common law or a violation of another statute, the purchaser may assert such common-law or statutory cause of action under the procedures and with the remedies provided for in such other law.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 60; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 29.
59-1761. Unfair competition and deceptive practices statutes; applicable.
Actions and transaction prohibited by the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act shall be subject to section 59-1602 and all statutes which provide for the implementation and enforcement of such section.
Source:Laws 1979, LB 180, § 61; Laws 1993, LB 218, § 30.
59-1762. Director of Banking and Finance; powers; rules and regulations.
In addition to specific authority granted elsewhere in the Seller-Assisted Marketing Plan Act, the Director of Banking and Finance may adopt and promulgate rules, regulations, orders, or forms as are necessary to carry out the act. No rule, regulation, order, or form may be adopted unless the director finds that the action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of purchasers and potential purchasers and is consistent with the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the act. All rules, regulations, orders, and forms of the director and the Department of Banking and Finance shall be published.
Source:Laws 1993, LB 218, § 27.
59-1801. Act, how cited.
Sections 59-1801 to 59-1803 shall be known and may be cited as the Charitable Gift Annuity Act.
Source:Laws 1996, LB 972, § 1.
59-1802. Terms, defined.
For purposes of the Charitable Gift Annuity Act:
(1) Charitable gift annuity means a charitable gift annuity described by section 501(m)(5) and section 514(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code that is issued prior to, on, or after March 26, 1996, by a charitable organization that, on the date of the annuity agreement, has been in continuous operation for at least three years or is the successor or affiliate of a charitable organization that has been in continuous operation for at least three years; and
(2) Charitable organization means any entity described in section 170(c) or section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Source:Laws 1996, LB 972, § 2.
59-1803. Issuance of annuity; how construed.
Issuance of a charitable gift annuity does not constitute:
(1) Engaging in business as a trust company subject to the Nebraska Trust Company Act;
(2) Engaging in the business of insurance subject to Chapter 44;
(3) Engaging in an act in violation of sections 59-801 to 59-831;
(4) Engaging in an act in violation of the Viatical Settlements Act; or
(5) Engaging in an act in violation of the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Conduct other than issuance of a charitable gift annuity, including the marketing of a charitable gift annuity, is not exempt from application of the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act pursuant to this subdivision.
Source:Laws 1996, LB 972, § 3; Laws 1998, LB 1321, § 98; Laws 2001, LB 52, § 57; Laws 2002, LB 1278, § 34.