Opinion ID: 2226536
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Whether Ombudsman Is Officer of Legislative Branch of State Government

Text: The NEOC asserts that § 81-2707(1) calls for an officer of the Legislature to encroach upon the executive branch's duty and prerogative to remove executive employees. The crux of the NEOC's separation of powers argument is premised on the claim that the Ombudsman is an officer of the legislative branch of state government. This claim is not disputed by the appellees and is supported by state statutory law. The Ombudsman is nominated and appointed, his or her salary is set, and he or she may be removed, by the Legislature. See Neb.Rev.Stat. §§ 81-8,241 and 81-8,243 (Reissue 1994). Furthermore, the Ombudsman reports to the Legislature and exercises the authority and performs the duties provided by the Legislature. See § 81-8,241; Neb.Rev.Stat. § 81-8,251 (Reissue 1994). As such, we conclude that the Ombudsman is an officer of the legislative branch of state government.