Opinion ID: 1664522
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Nebraska Law Other Than Todd

Text: Neb. Const. art. V, § 22, provides: The state may sue and be sued, and the Legislature shall provide by law in what manner and in what courts suits shall be brought. In Gentry v. State, 174 Neb. 515, 517-18, 118 N.W.2d 643, 645 (1962), we stated: This provision permits the state to lay its sovereignty aside and consent to be sued on such terms and conditions as the Legislature may prescribe. This provision of the Constitution is not self-executing. Legislative action is necessary to make it available. It is this principle which was applied in Wiseman v. Keller, 218 Neb. 717, 358 N.W.2d 768 (1984). The Nebraska Legislature has enacted statutes which allow the state to be sued in its own courts. In addition to the State Tort Claims Act, Neb.Rev.Stat. §§ 81-8,-209 et seq. (Reissue 1981), and the Administrative Procedures Act, Neb.Rev.Stat. §§ 84-901 et seq. (Reissue 1981), the Legislature has authorized the bringing of suit against the state in its several district courts upon a variety of other claims. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 24-319 (Reissue 1979). Neb.Rev.Stat. § 24-324 (Reissue 1979) further provides in part: The state may be sued in the district court of the county wherein the Capital is situated in any matter founded upon or growing out of a contract, express or implied, originally authorized or subsequently ratified by the Legislature, or founded upon any law of the state. It also specifies certain pleading and service requirements. We have considered these statutes, or their forerunners, and have held that the procedures contained therein are jurisdictional and must be complied with in order to sue the state. Pickus v. State, 115 Neb. 869, 215 N.W. 129 (1927); McNeel v. State, 120 Neb. 674, 234 N.W. 786 (1931).