reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3547 - Hospital district; general powers; hospital, defined.

23-3547.
Hospital district; general powers; hospital, defined.
Each local hospital district shall have and exercise the following powers:
(1) To have and use a corporate seal and alter it at pleasure;
(2) To sue and be sued in all courts and places and in all actions and proceedings whatever;
(3) To purchase, receive, have, take, hold, lease, use, and enjoy property of every kind and description within and outside the district and to control, dispose of, convey, and encumber the same and create a leasehold interest in such property for the benefit of the district;
(4) To exercise the right of eminent domain for the purpose of acquiring real or personal property of every kind necessary to the exercise of any of the powers of the district, which power shall be exercised in the manner provided in sections 76-704 to 76-724;
(5) To administer any trust declared or created for hospitals of the district and receive by gift, devise, or bequest and hold in trust or otherwise property situated in this state or elsewhere and, when not otherwise provided, dispose of the same for the benefit of such hospitals;
(6) To employ legal counsel to advise the board of directors in all matters pertaining to the business of the district and to perform such functions in respect to the legal affairs of the district as the board may direct;
(7) To employ such officers and employees, including architects and consultants, as the board of directors deems necessary to carry on properly the business of the district;
(8) To prescribe the duties and powers of the manager, secretary, and other officers and employees of any such hospitals, to determine the number of and appoint all such officers and employees, and to fix their compensation. Such officers and employees shall hold their offices or positions at the pleasure of such boards;
(9) To do any and all things which an individual might do which are necessary for and to the advantage of a hospital;
(10) To establish, maintain, lease, or operate one or more hospitals within or outside the district, or both. For purposes of the Nebraska Local Hospital District Act, hospital has the meaning provided in subdivision (10) of section 23-3594;
(11) To do any and all other acts and things necessary to carry out the Nebraska Local Hospital District Act; and
(12) To acquire, maintain, and operate ambulances or an emergency medical service, including the provision of scheduled and unscheduled ambulance service, within and outside the district.
Source
Laws 1959, c. 83, § 19, p. 380;
Laws 1969, c. 158, § 1, p. 730;
Laws 1987, LB 134, § 7;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.38;
Laws 1994, LB 1118, § 18;
Laws 1997, LB 28, § 1;
Laws 1997, LB 138, § 34;
Laws 2001, LB 808, § 2.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3548 - Hospital district; board of directors; purchase of equipment.

23-3548.
Hospital district; board of directors; purchase of equipment.
(1) The board of directors may purchase all necessary surgical instruments and hospital equipment and equipment for nurses' homes and all other property necessary for equipping a hospital and nurses' home.
(2) The board of directors may purchase such real property, and erect or rent and equip such buildings or building, room or rooms as may be necessary for the hospital.
Source
Laws 1959, c. 83, § 20, p. 381;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.39.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3549 - Hospital district; board of directors; operation; fix rates.

23-3549.
Hospital district; board of directors; operation; fix rates.
The board of directors shall be responsible for the operation of all hospitals owned or leased by the district, according to the best interests of the public health and shall make and enforce all rules, regulations, and bylaws necessary for the administration, government, protection, and maintenance of hospitals under their management and all property belonging thereto and may prescribe the terms upon which patients may be admitted thereto. Such hospitals shall not contract to care for indigent county patients at below the cost for care. In fixing the rates the board shall, insofar as possible, establish such rates as will permit the hospital to be operated upon a self-supporting basis. The board may establish different rates for residents of the district than for persons who do not reside within the district. Minimum standards of operation as prescribed in sections 23-3528 to 23-3552 shall be established and enforced by the board of directors.
Source
Laws 1959, c. 83, § 21, p. 382;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.40.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3550 - Hospital district; board; membership in organization; dues.

23-3550.
Hospital district; board; membership in organization; dues.
The board of directors may maintain membership in any local, state or national group or association organized and operated for the promotion of the public health and welfare or the advancement of the efficiency of hospital administration, and in connection therewith pay dues and fees thereto.
Source
Laws 1959, c. 83, § 23, p. 382;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.42.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3551 - Hospital district; board of directors; officers; books and records; open to inspection.

23-3551.
Hospital district; board of directors; officers; books and records; open to inspection.
The board of directors shall annually select such officers as may be necessary. The board shall cause to be kept accurate minutes of all meetings and accurate records and books of accounts, conforming to approved methods of bookkeeping, clearly reflecting the entire operation, management, and business of the district, which shall be kept at the principal place of business of the district. All books, papers, and vouchers shall be subject to public inspection at all reasonable hours.
Source
Laws 1959, c. 83, § 24, p. 382;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.43.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3553 - Depreciation funds, authorized; limitations on use.

23-3553.
Depreciation funds, authorized; limitations on use.
Nothing contained in the Nebraska Local Hospital District Act and sections 23-3501 to 23-3519 shall be construed to prohibit the board of trustees of any facility established under section 23-3501 or a local hospital district from establishing depreciation funds from patient or other revenue income for the purpose of replacing equipment or providing for future improvements or additions or from using such patient or other revenue income for purchasing equipment or for retiring indebtedness incurred for improvements or additions not financed by bonds of the county or direct tax levies. The limitations upon expenditures provided for in section 23-3508 shall not apply to expenditures made from patient or other revenue income or for the retiring of indebtedness or payment of other obligations from such patient or revenue income.
Source
Laws 1965, c. 95, § 1, p. 411;
Laws 1967, c. 121, § 17, p. 395;
Laws 1991, LB 798, § 5;
R.S.Supp.,1991, § 23-343.48;
Laws 1992, LB 1240, § 23;
Laws 2012, LB995, § 12.
Cross References
Nebraska Local Hospital District Act, see section 23-3528.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3554 - Hospital district; bonds; issuance; purpose.

23-3554.
Hospital district; bonds; issuance; purpose.
The board of directors of any hospital district may, on the terms and conditions set forth in sections 23-3554 to 23-3572, issue the bonds of the district for the purpose of (1) purchasing a site for and erecting thereon a hospital, nursing home, or both, or for such purchase or erection, and furnishing and equipping the same, in such district, (2) purchasing an existing building or buildings and related furniture and equipment, including the site or sites upon which such building or buildings are located, for use as a hospital, nursing home, or both, and to furnish and equip them in such district, (3) retiring registered warrants, and (4) paying for additions to or repairs for a hospital, nursing home, or both.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 1, p. 352;
Laws 1972, LB 1168, § 5;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.49.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3555 - Hospital district; bonds; issuance; approval of electors.

23-3555.
Hospital district; bonds; issuance; approval of electors.
No bonds shall be issued under the provisions of sections 23-3554 to 23-3572 until the question has been submitted to the qualified electors of the district, and a majority of all the qualified electors voting on the question shall have voted in favor of issuing the same, at a special election called for that purpose, upon notice given by the board of directors at least twenty days prior to such election.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 2, p. 352;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.50.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3556 - Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; petition.

23-3556.
Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; petition.
A vote shall be ordered upon the issuance of such bonds either (1) upon resolution of a majority of the members of the board of directors, or (2) whenever a petition shall be presented to the board requesting that a vote be taken for or against the issuing of bonds in such amount as may be specified for any one or more of the purposes authorized by section 23-3554. Such petition shall be signed by at least ten percent of the qualified voters of such district.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 3, p. 352;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.51.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3557 - Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; election; polling places; ballots; counting.

23-3557.
Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; election; polling places; ballots; counting.
In all elections at which the registered voters of hospital districts are voting on the question of issuing bonds of the district, the board of directors shall designate the polling places, prepare the form of ballot, and appoint the election officials. Ballots for early voting shall be issued by the secretary of the board of directors in the same manner as provided in the Election Act and returned to the secretary. All ballots cast at the election shall be counted by the same board. When all the ballots have been counted, the returns of such election shall be turned over to the board of directors of the district in which the election was held for the purpose of making a canvass thereof.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 4, p. 353;
Laws 1984, LB 920, § 32;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.52;
Laws 1994, LB 76, § 548;
Laws 2005, LB 98, § 2.
Cross References
Election Act, see section 32-101.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3558 - Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; limitation.

23-3558.
Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; limitation.
The aggregate amount of bonds issued for all purposes in hospital districts shall in no event exceed fourteen percent of the last taxable valuation of all taxable property in such hospital district, but such limitation shall not apply to the issuance of refunding or compromise of indebtedness bonds by any such hospital district for the purpose of retiring outstanding bonds, warrants, or other indebtedness.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 5, p. 353;
Laws 1979, LB 187, § 112;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.53;
Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 118.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3559 - Hospital districts; bonds; interest; rate.

23-3559.
Hospital districts; bonds; interest; rate.
The bonds issued under the provisions of sections 23-3554 to 23-3572 shall draw such interest as shall be agreed upon.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 6, p. 353;
Laws 1969, c. 51, § 85, p. 329;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.54.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3560 - Hospital districts; bonds; contents.

23-3560.
Hospital districts; bonds; contents.
The bonds shall specify on their face the date, amount, purpose for which issued, time they shall run, and rate of interest. The bonds shall be printed on good paper, with coupons attached for each year's or half year's interest, and the amount of each year's interest shall be placed on corresponding coupons until such bonds shall become due, in such manner that the last coupon shall fall due at the same time as the bonds. The bonds and coupons thereto attached shall be severally signed by the president and secretary of the board of directors. The bonds and interest shall be payable at the office of the county treasurer in the county in which the district is located and if the district is located in more than one county, at the office of the county treasurer as may be provided in the history of the district and in the bonds.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 7, p. 353;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.55.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3561 - Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; statement; contents.

23-3561.
Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; statement; contents.
The board of directors of any hospital district in which any bonds may be voted shall, before the issuance of such bonds, make a written statement of all proceedings relative to the vote upon the issuance of such bonds and the notice of the election, the manner and time of giving notice, the question submitted, and the result of the canvass of the vote on the proposition pursuant to which it is proposed to issue such bonds, together with a full statement of the taxable valuation, the number of persons residing within the district, and the total bonded indebtedness of the hospital district voting such bonds. Such statement shall be certified to under oath by the board of directors.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 8, p. 354;
Laws 1979, LB 187, § 113;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.56;
Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 119;
Laws 2001, LB 420, § 21.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3563 - Hospital districts; bonds; taxes.

23-3563.
Hospital districts; bonds; taxes.
Taxes for the payment of the hospital district bonds and the interest thereon shall be levied in the manner provided by section 23-3565.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 10, p. 354;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.58;
Laws 2001, LB 420, § 22.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3565 - Hospital districts; bonds; interest; levy; sinking fund.

23-3565.
Hospital districts; bonds; interest; levy; sinking fund.
The county board in each county shall levy annually upon all the taxable property in each hospital district in such county a tax sufficient to pay the interest accruing upon any bonds issued by such hospital district and to provide a sinking fund for the final redemption of the same. Such levy shall be made with the annual levy of the county and the taxes collected with other taxes and when collected shall be and remain in the hands of the county treasurer as a special fund for the payment of the interest upon such bonds and for the final payment of the same at maturity. The county clerk shall furnish a copy of his or her register to the county treasurer. The levy for the purpose of paying off such indebtedness providing a sinking fund for the final redemption of such indebtedness may be in addition to the levy provided for in section 23-3552.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 12, p. 355;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.60;
Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 120.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3566 - Hospital district, defined.

23-3566.
Hospital district, defined.
The phrase hospital district, as used in section 23-3565, shall mean the hospital district as it existed immediately prior to and at the time of the issuance of any bonds by such hospital district, including all lands, property, and inhabitants contained in the hospital district at the time of the issuance of any bonds, and all portions of the district subsequently separated from the district, whether by the formation of a new district or by any change of boundaries of the original district and all territory annexed to the hospital district during the life of such bonds.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 13, p. 355;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.61.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3567 - Hospital district; sinking fund; investment.

23-3567.
Hospital district; sinking fund; investment.
Any money in the hands of any treasurer as a sinking fund for the redemption of bonds which are a valid and legal obligation of the hospital district to which such money belongs or for the payment of interest on any such bonds and which is not currently required to retire bonds and pay interest on bonds, shall be invested by the treasurer, when so ordered by the board of directors, in securities authorized as legal investments for counties, school districts or hospital districts. The interest earned on such investments shall be credited to the sinking fund from which the invested funds were drawn.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 14, p. 355;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.62.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3568 - Hospital districts; tax; collection; disbursement.

23-3568.
Hospital districts; tax; collection; disbursement.
The tax and funds collected under the provisions of sections 23-3554 to 23-3572 shall be deemed pledged and appropriated to the payment of the interest and principal of the registered bonds provided for in sections 23-3554 to 23-3572, until fully satisfied, and the treasurer shall be liable on his official bond for the faithful disbursement of all money so collected or received by him. After the principal and interest of such bonds shall have been fully paid and all obligations for which such fund and taxes were raised have been discharged, the county clerk, upon the order of the county board, shall notify the county treasurer to transfer all such funds remaining in his hands to the credit of the district to which they belong.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 15, p. 356;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.63.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3569 - Hospital districts; bonds; maturity; payment.

23-3569.
Hospital districts; bonds; maturity; payment.
When any registered bonds shall mature, the same shall be paid off by the treasurer at the place where the same shall be payable out of any money in his hands or under his control for that purpose, and when so paid the same shall be endorsed by the treasurer on the face thereof Canceled, together with the date of such payment, and thereupon shall be filed with the clerk who shall enter satisfaction of such bonds upon the records of such hospital district.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 16, p. 356;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.64.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3570 - Hospital districts; bonds; liability of district; redemption.

23-3570.
Hospital districts; bonds; liability of district; redemption.
Any hospital district which has heretofore voted and issued, or which shall hereafter vote and issue, bonds to build or furnish a hospital, or for any other purpose, and which bonds, or any part thereof, still remain unpaid and remain and are a legal liability against such district and are bearing interest, may issue coupon bonds to be substituted in place of, and exchanged for such bonds heretofore issued, whenever such hospital district can effect such substitution and exchange at a rate of not to exceed dollar for dollar or such bonds may be sold for cash where such bonds heretofore issued are subject to the right of redemption at the time the refunding bonds are issued. All bonds issued under the provisions of sections 23-3570 to 23-3572 must, on their face, contain a clause that the district issuing such bonds shall have the right to redeem such bonds at the expiration of five years from the date of the issuance thereof.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 17, p. 356;
Laws 1969, c. 51, § 86, p. 329;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.65.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3571 - Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; statement; contents.

23-3571.
Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; statement; contents.
Each new bond issued under the provisions of sections 23-3570 to 23-3572 shall state therein (1) the object of its issuance, (2) the section or sections of the law under which the issuance thereof was made, including a statement that the issuance is made pursuant thereto, and (3) the number, date, and amount of the bond or bonds for which it is substituted. Such new bond shall not be delivered until the surrender of the bond or bonds so designated or until such bonds are called for redemption.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 18, p. 357;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.66.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3572 - Hospital districts; bonds; new; vote of electors not required.

23-3572.
Hospital districts; bonds; new; vote of electors not required.
The issuance of such new bonds shall not require a vote of the people to authorize such issue, and such bonds shall be paid, and the levy be made and tax collected for their payment, in accordance with laws governing the bonds which they are issued to replace.
Source
Laws 1967, c. 109, § 19, p. 357;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.67.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3573 - Hospital districts; merger; petition; election.

23-3573.
Hospital districts; merger; petition; election.
Any two or more hospital districts may merge into one district if a petition for merger is presented to the county board in the county which will include the greater portion of the proposed district by population and such merger is approved by a majority of the voters in the existing districts at an election as provided in section 23-3575. A petition for merger shall be sufficient if for each district affected by the proposed merger it has been either signed by a majority of the board of directors of each district or signed by the legal voters in each district equal to at least ten percent of the number of votes cast in such district for the Governor at the last general election. The petition shall be filed at least sixty days prior to any election.
Source
Laws 1978, LB 560, § 4;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.123.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3574 - Hospital districts; petition for merger; plan; contents.

23-3574.
Hospital districts; petition for merger; plan; contents.
The petition for merger shall include a plan for the proposed merger which plan shall contain:
(1) A description of the proposed boundaries of the merged district;
(2) A summary statement of the reasons for the proposed merger;
(3) The amount of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of each district and the manner in which such outstanding bonded indebtedness is proposed to be allocated if the merger is approved;
(4) The amount of outstanding indebtedness other than the bonded indebtedness of each district;
(5) The name of the proposed district; and
(6) Such other matters as the petitioner shall determine proper to be included.
Source
Laws 1978, LB 560, § 5;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.124.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3575 - Hospital districts; merger; election; procedure.

23-3575.
Hospital districts; merger; election; procedure.
After determining the sufficiency of the petition presented under section 23-3573, the county board shall by resolution provide for the submission of the question of the merger of the districts at a general, primary, or special election. If a special election is called, the costs of such election shall be borne equally by the districts petitioning for the merger. If the question is submitted at a special election, the county clerk or election commissioner of each county having registered voters entitled to vote on the issue shall conduct the special election in such county and shall be responsible for designating the polling places and appointing the election officials, who need not be the regular election officials, and otherwise conducting the election within such county. The county board shall designate the form of ballot.
The county clerk or election commissioner for the county whose county board has received the petition and called the election shall be responsible for giving notice of the special election. Such notice shall be published at least twenty days prior to the election and shall be published, for each district, in a legal newspaper of general circulation in such district. The notice of election shall state where ballots for early voting may be obtained pursuant to the Election Act.
In any such special election, the ballots shall be counted by the county clerks or election commissioners conducting the election and each such county clerk or election commissioner shall designate two disinterested persons to assist him or her with the counting of ballots. If the question is submitted at the statewide general election or primary election, the ballots shall be counted as provided in the Election Act. When all of the ballots have been counted in each county, the returns of such election shall be canvassed by the county canvassing board.
All elections conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted as provided under the Election Act except as otherwise specifically provided for in this section.
Source
Laws 1978, LB 560, § 6;
Laws 1984, LB 920, § 33;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.125;
Laws 1994, LB 76, § 549;
Laws 2005, LB 98, § 3.
Cross References
Election Act, see section 32-101.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3576 - Hospital districts; merger; voter approval; order.

23-3576.
Hospital districts; merger; voter approval; order.
If after canvassing the returns for each county the county board determines that the merger has been approved by a majority of the voters in each district, the county board shall enter an order for the merger of the districts.
Source
Laws 1978, LB 560, § 7;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.126.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3577 - Hospital districts; merger; new officers; board of directors; elected; term.

23-3577.
Hospital districts; merger; new officers; board of directors; elected; term.
Immediately following the entry of the order of merger by the county board, the members of the board of directors of the former hospital districts which were merged by such order shall meet and elect from among themselves a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary-treasurer. No more than two of such offices may be held by persons from one of such former hospital districts. The members of such boards shall adopt as rules for its proceeding the rules of one of such former districts with such changes and modifications as the members shall deem necessary. The members of the board of directors shall continue to serve as members of the board of directors of the merged district until the next statewide primary, at which time a board of directors, consisting of five members, shall be elected from the merged district for staggered terms of two for two years and three for four years in the manner prescribed for the election of an original board under section 23-3534.
Source
Laws 1978, LB 560, § 8;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.127.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3578 - Hospital districts; merger; property, debts, liabilities; transferred; exception.

23-3578.
Hospital districts; merger; property, debts, liabilities; transferred; exception.
After the entry by the county board of its order for merger of the districts, all property, debts, and liabilities of the former hospital districts shall be transferred to the new district, except that all outstanding bonded indebtedness of the previously existing hospital districts shall be allocated to the real estate included within such prior existing districts as provided in the plan of merger.
Source
Laws 1978, LB 560, § 9;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.128.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3579 - Act, how cited.

23-3579.
Act, how cited.
Sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 shall be known and may be cited as the Hospital Authorities Act.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 1;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.74;
Laws 1993, LB 815, § 1.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3580 - Hospital Authorities Act; declaration of purpose.

23-3580.
Hospital Authorities Act; declaration of purpose.
It is declared that conditions resulting from the concentration of population of various counties, cities, and villages in this state require the construction, maintenance, and operation of adequate hospital facilities for the care of the public health and for the control and treatment of epidemics, for the care of the indigent and for the public welfare; that in various counties, cities, and villages of the state there is a lack of adequate hospital facilities available to the inhabitants thereof and that consequently many persons including persons of low income are forced to do without adequate medical and hospital care and accommodations; that these conditions cause an increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the state and impair economic values; that these conditions cannot be remedied by the ordinary operations of private enterprises; that the providing of adequate hospital and medical care are public uses; that it is in the public interest that adequate hospital and medical facilities and care be provided in order to care for and protect the health and public welfare; and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.
It is hereby further declared as a matter of legislative determination that high interest rates are contributing to rising costs of health care, that techniques of financing health care facilities have changed, that existing financing documents may impose unnecessary burdens, and that the giving of power to hospital authorities created pursuant to sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 to refinance existing indebtedness and to utilize improved financing techniques would serve the public interest by improving the quality of health care or minimizing the cost thereof.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 2;
Laws 1980, LB 801, § 1;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.75.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3581 - Hospital authority; public corporation; powers.

23-3581.
Hospital authority; public corporation; powers.
Whenever it shall be conducive to the public health and welfare, a hospital authority constituting a public corporation and body politic may be established in the manner and having the powers and duties provided in sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 3;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.76.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3582 - Hospital authority; formation; requirements.

23-3582.
Hospital authority; formation; requirements.
(1) Whenever the formation of a hospital authority is desired, a petition or petitions stating (a) the general location of the hospital to be maintained by such proposed authority, (b) the territory to be included within it, which territory shall be contiguous, (c) the approximate number of persons believed to reside within the boundaries of the proposed authority, and (d) the names of five or more, but not exceeding eleven, proposed trustees, who shall be electors residing within the boundaries of the proposed authority, to serve as a board of trustees until their successors are appointed and qualified, should the authority be formed, together with a prayer that the same be declared to be a hospital authority under the Hospital Authorities Act may be filed in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the proposed authority is situated.
(2)(a) Each hospital authority established in a county having a total population of four hundred thousand or more, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, shall encompass an area in which at least forty thousand persons reside, (b) each hospital authority established in a county having a total population of one hundred fifty thousand to four hundred thousand, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, shall encompass an area in which at least thirty thousand persons reside, (c) each hospital authority established in a county having a total population of twenty thousand to one hundred fifty thousand, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, shall encompass an area in which at least twenty thousand persons reside, and (d) no hospital authority shall be established in any county having a total population of less than twenty thousand, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, unless the hospital authority encompasses the entire county which it is to serve. Such petitions shall be signed by at least one hundred electors who appear to reside within the suggested boundaries of the proposed authority.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 4;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.77;
Laws 1993, LB 815, § 2;
Laws 2016, LB742, § 14.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3583 - Hospital authority; formation; petitions; notice; contents.

23-3583.
Hospital authority; formation; petitions; notice; contents.
Upon receipt of such petitions, the county clerk shall set the date for a hearing thereon, which shall not be less than twenty nor more than forty-five days from their date of filing, and cause notice thereof to be published on the same day in each of three successive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation throughout the area to be included in the proposed authority. Such notice shall contain a statement of the information contained in such petitions and of the date, time, and place at which such hearing shall be held before the board of county commissioners and that at such hearing proposals may be considered for the exclusion of land from or the inclusion of additional land in such proposed authority, and for designating as initial trustees persons other than those named in the petitions.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 5;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.78.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3584 - Hospital authority; objections; contents.

23-3584.
Hospital authority; objections; contents.
All electors residing within the boundaries of the proposed authority who have not signed the petitions and who may object to the organization of the authority or to any one or more of the proposed trustees shall, not less than five days prior to the date set for the hearing on the petitions, file with the county clerk any such objection in writing, stating (1) why such hospital authority should not be organized and declared a public corporation in this state, (2) why the territory comprising the authority should be enlarged, decreased or otherwise changed, and (3) their objections to any one or more of the proposed trustees.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 6;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.79.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3585 - Hospital authority; formation; submission to health planning agency prior to hearing; findings.

23-3585.
Hospital authority; formation; submission to health planning agency prior to hearing; findings.
Prior to the holding of a hearing on the petitions, the question of forming the proposed hospital authority shall be submitted to the appropriate local or area health planning agency for its consideration and review if there has been created, pursuant to state or federal law, such a local or area health planning agency having jurisdiction within the area in which the proposed hospital authority is to be established. Such local or area health planning agency shall within sixty days render its findings and recommendations, if any, and shall be deemed to have approved the formation of the proposed hospital authority if its findings and recommendations have not been rendered within such period of sixty days.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 7;
Laws 1986, LB 733, § 1;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.80.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3586 - Hospital authority; hearing; county board; findings; initial trustees; qualifications; terms.

23-3586.
Hospital authority; hearing; county board; findings; initial trustees; qualifications; terms.
Such petitions, written objections, findings, and recommendations filed as provided in sections 23-3584 and 23-3585, if any, shall be heard by the county board without any unnecessary delay. In making its determination with respect to whether or not a proposed authority should be declared a public corporation of this state, the county board shall ascertain, to its satisfaction, that all of the requirements set forth in the Hospital Authorities Act have been met or complied with. If the county board determines that the formation of such authority will be conducive to the public health, convenience, or welfare, it shall declare the authority a public corporation and body politic of this state and shall declare the trustees nominated, or in case of meritorious objection thereto, other suitable trustees who shall be electors residing within the county in which the authority is situated, to be the board of trustees of the authority to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. The board of trustees shall not consist of more than eleven members. In arriving at its determination as to who should be appointed to initial membership on the board of trustees of an authority, the county board shall give due consideration to each nominee's general reputation in the community, his or her education and experience in areas such as education, medicine, hospital administration, business management, finance, law, engineering, and other fields which might be of benefit to the authority, his or her background in public service activities, the amount of time and energy that he or she might be expected to be able to devote to the affairs of the authority, and such other factors as the county board may deem relevant. One or more of the trustees initially appointed shall be consumers of health care services as distinguished from providers of health care services. The county board in appointing the initial trustees shall classify such initial trustees so that approximately one-third of their number shall serve for two years, approximately one-third of their number shall serve for four years, and approximately one-third of their number shall serve for six years, their successors to be thereafter appointed for terms of six years each.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 11;
Laws 1986, LB 733, § 2;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.84;
Laws 1993, LB 815, § 3;
Laws 1996, LB 898, § 1.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3587 - Hospital authority; certificate; transmit to Secretary of State; county clerk.

23-3587.
Hospital authority; certificate; transmit to Secretary of State; county clerk.
Within twenty days after the authority has been declared a public corporation and body politic by the county board, the county clerk shall transmit to the Secretary of State a certified copy of the record relating thereto, and the same shall be filed in his office in the same manner as articles of incorporation are required to be filed under the general law concerning corporations. A copy of such record shall also be filed by the county clerk in his own office.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 12;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.85.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3588 - Hospital authority; corporate name.

23-3588.
Hospital authority; corporate name.
Such authority shall be a public body corporate and politic by the name of Hospital Authority No. ...... of .............. County, Nebraska.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 13;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.86.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3589 - Hospital authority; trustees; meetings; officers; expenses; seal; rules and regulations.

23-3589.
Hospital authority; trustees; meetings; officers; expenses; seal; rules and regulations.
Within thirty days after the county board shall have declared the authority a public corporation, the trustees so appointed by the county board shall meet and elect one of their number chairperson, one of their number vice-chairperson, and one of their number secretary of the authority. The trustees shall serve without compensation, except that each shall be allowed his or her actual and necessary traveling and incidental expenses incurred in the performance of his or her official duties with reimbursement for mileage to be made at the rate provided in section 81-1176. The board shall (1) adopt a seal, bearing the name of the authority, (2) keep a record of all of its proceedings which shall be open to inspection by all interested persons during regular business hours and under reasonable circumstances, and (3) establish the time and place of holding its regular meetings and the manner of calling special meetings and shall have the power from time to time to pass all necessary resolutions, orders, rules, and regulations for the necessary conduct of its business and to carry into effect the objects for which such authority was formed.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 14;
Laws 1981, LB 204, § 24;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.87;
Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 18.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3590 - Hospital authority; trustees; vacancy; how filled.

23-3590.
Hospital authority; trustees; vacancy; how filled.
Any vacancy upon the board of trustees, occurring other than by the expiration of a term, shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board of trustees. Any person appointed to fill such vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. There shall at all times be one or more members of the board of trustees who are consumers of health care services as distinguished from providers of health care services.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 15;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.88.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3591 - Hospital authority; trustees; election.

23-3591.
Hospital authority; trustees; election.
Candidates for other than initial appointment to the board of trustees of a hospital authority may be nominated by petitions signed by not less than twenty-five electors residing within the boundaries of the authority. Such petitions shall be filed with the board of trustees not less than forty-five days prior to the date upon which the term of office of any trustee is due to expire. Not less than thirty days prior to such date of expiration the board of trustees shall cause such petitions to be filed in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the authority is situated. Upon receipt of such petitions, the county clerk shall set the date for a hearing thereon, which shall be not less than ten nor more than forty-five days from their date of filing, and cause notice thereof to be published on the same day in each of two successive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation throughout the area included within the authority. Such notice shall contain the date, time and place at which such hearing shall be held before the county board; the names of each person nominated for appointment to a six-year term on the board of trustees of the authority; and that at the hearing before the county board objections will be heard to the appointment of any one or more of the persons nominated. Any member of the board of trustees may be nominated for reappointment.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 16;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.89.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3592 - Hospital authority; trustees; appointment; objections; file with county clerk.

23-3592.
Hospital authority; trustees; appointment; objections; file with county clerk.
All electors residing within the boundaries of the authority who have not signed the petitions nominating a candidate for appointment to the board of trustees may, not less than five days prior to the date set for hearing on the nominations, file with the county clerk any objections to the appointment of any such candidate stating their objections to any one or more of the candidates.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 17;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.90.
2023 Nebraska Revised Statutes › Chapter 23 - County Government and Officers › 23-3593 - Hospital authority; trustees; nominations; objections; hearing; findings; appointment.

23-3593.
Hospital authority; trustees; nominations; objections; hearing; findings; appointment.
The petitions for nomination of candidates for the office of trustee of an authority, and any written objections filed as provided in section 23-3592, if any, shall be heard by the county board without unnecessary delay. In arriving at its determination as to which of the candidates should be appointed to serve a six-year term on the board of trustees of the authority, the county board shall give due consideration to each nominee's general reputation in the community, his education and experience in areas such as education, medicine, hospital administration, business management, finance, law, engineering and other fields which might be of benefit to the authority, his background in public service activities, the amount of time and energy that he might be expected to be able to devote to the affairs of the authority and such other factors as the county board may deem relevant. At the conclusion of the hearing, the county board shall, within ten days, enter its order appointing such candidate or candidates as it shall have determined upon to serve a term of six years on the board of trustees of the authority, such term of office to continue until a successor has been appointed.
Source
Laws 1971, LB 54, § 18;
R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.91.