Opinion ID: 1276768
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: injunction and declaratory relief

Text: The appellees argue that equitable claims for injunction and declaratory relief are not subject to 11th Amendment immunity. Therefore, they argue that their equitable claims are still actionable. We determine, however, that the equitable claims are moot. A case becomes moot when the issues initially presented in the litigation cease to exist, when the litigants lack a legally cognizable interest in the outcome of litigation, or when the litigants seek to determine a question which does not rest upon existing facts or rights, in which the issues presented are no longer alive. Johnston v. Nebraska Dept. of Corr. Servs., 270 Neb. 987, 709 N.W.2d 321 (2006). Here, the State has repealed the statute charging the fee. See, 2001 Neb. Laws, L.B. 31 (codified at Neb.Rev.Stat. §§ 18-1739 to 18-1741 (Cum.Supp.2004 & Supp. 2005)). Therefore, there is no current statute to enjoin. The appellees argue that the fee was removed because of the lawsuit and could be reinstated if the State were found to have immunity. But the remote possibility of reenacting legislation is insufficient.