NCompass Live - June 22, 2022 http://nlc.nebraska.gov/ncompasslive/ Public library boards for communities of all sizes in the Nebraska have to follow our state's Open Meetings Act when holding their meetings. In this session, we'll point out some of the major points of this state law for library boards, some changes that become active this July, and some of the consequences of not following Open Meeting law. Note: This week's topic is very Nebraska specific. If you are attending from another state some of the things we discuss may not be applicable for your library boards. Presenter: Scott Childers, Executive Director, Southeast Library System, Lincoln, NE.

1. 84-1407. Act, howcited.
Sections84-1407 to 84-1414 shall be knownandmay be citedas the OpenMeetingsAct.
Source:Laws2004, LB 821, § 34.
84-1408. Declarationof intent;meetingsopentopublic.
It isherebydeclaredtobe the policyof thisstate that the formationof publicpolicyispublicbusiness
and maynot be conductedinsecret.
Everymeetingof a publicbodyshall be opentothe publicinorderthat citizensmayexercisetheir
democraticprivilege of attendingandspeakingatmeetingsof publicbodies,exceptasotherwise
providedbythe Constitutionof Nebraska,federal statutes,andthe OpenMeetingsAct.
Source:Laws1975, LB 325, § 1; Laws 1996, LB 900, § 1071; Laws 2004, LB 821, § 35.
Annotations
Nebraska'spublicmeetingslawsdo notapplytoschool board deliberationspertainingsolelyto
disputedadjudicativefacts.McQuinnv.DouglasCty.Sch. Dist.No.66, 259 Neb.720, 612 N.W.2d198
(2000).
The primarypurpose of the publicmeetingslaw istoensure thatpublicpolicyis formulatedatopen
meetings.Marksv.Judicial NominatingComm.,236Neb.429, 461 N.W.2d551 (1990).
The publicmeetingslawisbroadlyinterpretedandliberallyconstruedtoobtainthe objectiveof
opennessinfavorof the public,andprovisionspermittingclosedsessionsmustbe narrowlyandstrictly
construed.Greinv.Board of Educationof Fremont,216 Neb.158, 343 N.W.2d718 (1984).
Althoughacommittee wasa subcommittee of anatural resourcesdistrictboard,itwasnot subjectto
the OpenMeetingsActbecause there wasneveraquorumof boardmembersinattendance andthe
committee didnotholdhearings,make policy,ortake formal actiononbehalf of the board.Koch v.
LowerLoup NRD,27 Neb.App.301, 931 N.W.2d160 (2019).
A countyboard of equalizationisapublicbodywhose meetingsshallbe opentothe public.Wolf v.
Grubbs,17 Neb.App.292, 759 N.W.2d499 (2009).
84-1409. Terms,defined.
For purposesof the OpenMeetingsAct,unlessthe contextotherwise requires:

2. (1)(a) Publicbodymeans(i) governingbodiesof all political subdivisionsof the State of Nebraska,(ii)
governingbodiesof all agencies,createdbythe Constitutionof Nebraska,statute,orotherwise
pursuantto law,of the executive departmentof the State of Nebraska,(iii) all independentboards,
commissions,bureaus,committees,councils,subunits,oranyotherbodiescreatedbythe Constitution
of Nebraska,statute,orotherwisepursuanttolaw,(iv) all studyoradvisorycommitteesof the executive
departmentof the State of Nebraskawhetherhavingcontinuingexistenceorappointedasspecial
committeeswithlimitedexistence,(v) advisorycommitteesof the bodiesreferredtoinsubdivisions(i),
(ii),and(iii) of thissubdivision,and(vi) instrumentalities exercisingessentiallypublicfunctions;and
(b) Publicbodydoesnotinclude (i) subcommitteesof suchbodiesunlessaquorumof the publicbody
attendsa subcommittee meetingorunlesssuchsubcommitteesare holdinghearings,makingpolicy,or
takingformal actionon behalf of theirparentbody,exceptthatall meetingsof anysubcommittee
establishedundersection81-15,175 are subjecttothe OpenMeetingsAct,and(ii) entitiesconducting
judicial proceedingsunlessacourtor otherjudicial bodyisexercisingrulemakingauthority,deliberating,
or decidinguponthe issuance of administrative orders;
(2) Meetingmeansall regular,special,orcalledmeetings,formalorinformal,of anypublicbodyforthe
purposesof briefing,discussionof publicbusiness,formationof tentative policy,orthe takingof any
actionof the publicbody;and
(3) Virtual conferencingmeansconductingorparticipatinginameetingelectronicallyortelephonically
withinteractionamongthe participantssubjecttosubsection (2) of section84-1412.
Source:Laws 1975, LB 325, § 2; Laws 1983, LB 43, § 1; Laws 1989, LB 429, § 42; Laws 1989, LB 311, § 14;
Laws 1992, LB 1019, § 124; Laws 1993, LB 635, § 1; Laws 1996, LB 1044, § 978; Laws 1997, LB 798, § 37;
Laws 2004, LB 821, § 36; Laws 2007, LB296, § 810; Laws 2011, LB366, § 2; Laws 2021, LB83, § 11.
Annotations
A townshipisa political subdivision,andassuch,a townshipboardissubjecttothe provisionsof the
publicmeetingslaws.Steenblockv.ElkhornTownshipBd.,245 Neb.722, 515 N.W.2d128 (1994).
A countyagricultural societyisapublicbodyto whichthe provisionsof the Nebraskapublicmeetings
laware applicable.Nixonv.MadisonCo.Ag.Soc'y,217 Neb.37, 348 N.W.2d119 (1984).
Failure bya publicgoverningbody,asdefinedundersection 84-1409, R.R.S.1943, to take and recorda
roll call vote on an action,as requiredbysection84-1413(2), R.S.Supp.,1980,grants anycitizenthe right
to sue for the purpose of havingthe actiondeclaredvoid.Inthiscase such failure couldnotbe later
correctedby a nunc protunc order because there wasnoshowingthata roll call vote on the disputed
actionwas actuallytaken,andevenif itwasthe recordshoweditwasnot recordeduntil overayear

3. later.Sections23-1301, R.R.S.1943, and 23-1302, R.R.S.1943, make itthe dutyof the countyclerkto
record proceedingsof the boardof countycommissioners.State ex rel.Schulerv.Dunbar,208 Neb.69,
302 N.W.2d674 (1981).
Althoughacommittee wasa subcommittee of anatural resourcesdistrictboard,itwasnot subjectto
the OpenMeetingsActbecause there wasneveraquorumof boardmembersinattendance andthe
committee didnotholdhearings,make policy,ortake formal actiononbehalf of the board.Koch v.
LowerLoup NRD,27 Neb.App.301, 931 N.W.2d160 (2019).
Althoughthe OpenMeetingsActdoesnotdefine "subcommittee,"asubcommittee isgenerally
definedasagroup withinacommittee towhichthe committee mayreferbusiness.Kochv.LowerLoup
NRD,27 Neb.App.301, 931 N.W.2d160 (2019).
The OpenMeetingsActdoesnotrequire policymakerstoremainignorantof the issuestheymust
decide until the momentthe publicisinvitedtocommentona proposedpolicy.Byexcluding
nonquorumsubgroupsfromthe definitionof apublicbody,the Legislature hasbalancedthe public's
needtobe heardon mattersof publicpolicywithapractical accommodationfora publicbody'sneed
for informationtoconductbusiness.Kochv.LowerLoupNRD, 27 Neb.App.301, 931 N.W.2d 160
(2019).
As an administrative agencyof the county,acountyboard of equalizationisapublicbody.Wolf v.
Grubbs,17 Neb.App.292, 759 N.W.2d499 (2009).
The electorsof a townshipattheirannual meetingare a publicbodyunderthe OpenMeetingsAct.
State ex rel. Newmanv.ColumbusTownshipBd.,15 Neb.App.656, 735 N.W.2d 399 (2007).
The meetingatissue inthiscase wasa "meeting"withinthe parametersof subsection(2) of this
sectionbecause itinvolvedthe discussionof publicbusiness,the formationof tentative policy,orthe
takingof any actionof the publicpowerdistrict.Hansmeyerv.NebraskaPub.PowerDist.,6Neb.App.
889, 578 N.W.2d476 (1998).
Informational sessionsinwhichthe governmental bodyhearsreportsare briefings.Johnsonv.
NebraskaEnvironmental Control Council,2Neb.App.263, 509 N.W.2d21 (1993).
84-1410. Closedsession;when;purpose;reasonslisted;procedure;righttochallenge;prohibitedacts;
chance meetings,conventions,orworkshops.
(1) Anypublicbodymayhold a closedsessionbythe affirmative vote of amajorityof itsvotingmembers
if a closedsessionisclearlynecessaryforthe protectionof the publicinterestorforthe preventionof
needlessinjurytothe reputationof anindividual andif suchindividual hasnotrequestedapublic
meeting.The subjectmatterandthe reasonnecessitatingthe closedsessionshall be identifiedinthe
motiontoclose.Closedsessionsmaybe heldfor,butshall notbe limitedto,suchreasonsas:

4. (a) Strategysessionswith respecttocollective bargaining,real estate purchases,pendinglitigation,or
litigationwhichisimminentasevidencedbycommunicationof aclaimor threatof litigationtoorby the
publicbody;
(b) Discussionregardingdeploymentof securitypersonnelordevices;
(c) Investigativeproceedingsregardingallegationsof criminalmisconduct;
(d) Evaluationof the jobperformance of a personwhennecessarytopreventneedlessinjurytothe
reputationof a personandif such personhasnot requestedapublicmeeting;
(e) Forthe CommunityTrustcreatedundersection81-1801.02, discussionregardingthe amountstobe
paidto individualswhohave sufferedfromatragedyof violence ornatural disaster;or
(f) For publichospitals,governingboardpeerreview activities,professional review activities,reviewand
discussionof medical staff investigationsordisciplinaryactions,andanystrategysessionconcerning
transactional negotiationswithanyreferral source thatisrequiredbyfederal law tobe conductedat
arms length.
Nothinginthissectionshall permitaclosedmeetingfordiscussionof the appointmentorelectionof a
newmembertoany publicbody.
(2) The vote to holda closedsessionshall be takeninopensession.The entire motion,the vote of each
memberonthe questionof holdingaclosedsession,andthe time whenthe closedsessioncommenced
and concludedshall be recordedinthe minutes.If the motiontoclose passes,thenthe presidingofficer
immediatelypriortothe closedsessionshall restate onthe recordthe limitationof the subjectmatterof
the closedsession.The publicbodyholdingsuchaclosedsessionshallrestrictitsconsiderationof
mattersduringthe closedportionstoonlythose purposessetforthinthe motiontoclose as the reason
for the closedsession.The meetingshall be reconvenedinopensessionbeforeanyformal actionmay
be taken.For purposesof thissection,formal actionshall meanacollectivedecisionoracollective
commitmentorpromise tomake a decisiononanyquestion,motion,proposal,resolution,order,or
ordinance orformationof a positionorpolicybutshall notinclude negotiatingguidancegiven by
membersof the publicbodytolegal counsel orothernegotiatorsinclosedsessionsauthorizedunder
subdivision(1)(a) of thissection.

5. (3) Anymemberof anypublicbodyshall have the rightto challenge the continuationof aclosedsession
if the memberdeterminesthatthe sessionhasexceededthe reasonstatedinthe original motionto
holda closedsessionorif the membercontendsthatthe closedsessionisneitherclearlynecessaryfor
(a) the protectionof the publicinterestor(b) the preventionof needlessinjurytothe reputationof an
individual.Suchchallenge shallbe overruledonlybyamajorityvote of the membersof the publicbody.
Such challenge anditsdispositionshall be recordedinthe minutes.
(4) Nothinginthissectionshall be construedtorequire thatanymeetingbe closedtothe public.No
personor publicbodyshall fail toinvite aportionof itsmemberstoa meeting,andnopublicbodyshall
designate itself asubcommittee of the wholebodyforthe purpose of circumventing the OpenMeetings
Act. Noclosedsession,informal meeting,chance meeting,socialgathering,email,fax,orother
electroniccommunicationshall be usedforthe purpose of circumventingthe requirementsof the act.
(5) The act doesnotapplyto chance meetingsorto attendance ator travel to conventionsorworkshops
of membersof apublicbodyat whichthere isno meetingof the bodythenintentionallyconvened,if
there isno vote or otheractiontakenregardinganymatter overwhichthe publicbodyhassupervision,
control,jurisdiction,oradvisorypower.
Source:Laws1975, LB 325, § 3; Laws 1983, LB 43, § 2; Laws 1985, LB 117, § 1; Laws 1992, LB 1019, § 125;
Laws 1994, LB 621, § 1; Laws1996, LB 900, § 1072; Laws 2004, LB 821, § 37; Laws 2004, LB 1179, § 1;
Laws 2006, LB 898, § 1; Laws2011, LB390, § 29; Laws 2012, LB995, § 17.
Annotations
There is noabsolute discoveryprivilegeforcommunicationsthatoccurduringa closedsession.State
ex rel.UpperRepublicanNRDv.DistrictJudges,273 Neb. 148, 728 N.W.2d 275 (2007).
If a personpresentata meetingobservesapublicmeetingslaw violationinthe formof an improper
closedsessionandfailstoobject,thatpersonwaiveshisorherrightto objectat a laterdate.
Wasikowski v.NebraskaQualityJobsBd.,264 Neb.403, 648 N.W.2d756 (2002).
The publicinterestmentionedinthissectionisthatsharedbycitizensingeneral andbythe
communityatlarge concerningpecuniaryorlegal rightsandliabilities.Greinv.Boardof Education,216
Neb.158, 343 N.W.2d 718 (1984).
Hearingin closedexecutivesessionwascontrarytothissectionsince there wasnoshowingof
necessityorreasonundersubdivision(1)(a),(b),or(c),butdidnot resultinreversal of boarddecision.
Simondsv.Board of Examiners,213 Neb.259, 329 N.W.2d92 (1983).
Negotiationsforthe purchase of landneednotbe conductedatan openmeetingbutthe
deliberationsof acitycouncil as to whetheranoffertopurchase real estate shouldbe made shouldtake
place inan openmeeting.Pokornyv.Cityof Schuyler,202 Neb.334, 275 N.W.2d281 (1979).

6. Publicmeetinglawwasnotviolatedwhere the Boardof Regentsof the Universityof Nebraskavoted
to holda closedsessiontoconsiderthe universitypresident'sresignation,andalsodiscussedthe
appointmentof aninterimpresidentduringsuchsession.Meyerv.Boardof Regents,1Neb.App.893,
510 N.W.2d450 (1993).
84-1411. Meetingsof publicbody;notice;method;contents;whenavailable;righttomodify;duties
concerningnotice;virtual conferencingauthorized;requirements;emergencymeetingwithoutnotice;
appearance before publicbody.
(1)(a) Each publicbodyshall give reasonable advance publicizednotice of the time andplace of each
meetingasprovidedinthissubsection.Suchnotice shall be transmittedtoall membersof the public
bodyand to the public.
(b)(i) Exceptasprovidedinsubdivision(1)(b)(ii) of thissection,inthe case of a publicbodydescribedin
subdivision(1)(a)(i) of section84-1409 or such body'sadvisorycommittee,suchnotice shallbe
publishedinanewspaperof general circulationwithinthe publicbody'sjurisdictionand,if available,on
such newspaper'swebsite.
(ii) Inthe case of the governingbodyof a cityof the secondclassor village orsuch body'sadvisory
committee,suchnotice shall be publishedby:
(A) Publicationinanewspaperof general circulationwithinthe publicbody'sjurisdictionand,if
available,onsuchnewspaper'swebsite;or
(B) Postingwritten notice inthree conspicuouspublicplacesinsuchcityor village.Suchnotice shall be
postedinthe same three placesforeach meeting.
(iii) Inthe case of a publicbodynotdescribedinsubdivision(1)(b)(i)or(ii) of thissection,suchnotice
shall be givenbya methoddesignatedbythe publicbody.
(c) In additiontoa methodof notice requiredbysubdivision(1)(b)(i) or(ii) of thissection,suchnotice
may alsobe providedbyanyotherappropriate methoddesignatedbysuchpublicbodyorsuchadvisory
committee.

7. (d) Each publicbodyshall recordthe methodsanddatesof suchnotice inits minutes.
(e) Suchnotice shall containanagendaof subjectsknownatthe time of the publicizednotice ora
statementthatthe agenda,whichshall be keptcontinuallycurrent,shall be readilyavailableforpublic
inspectionatthe principal officeof the publicbodyduringnormal businesshours.Agendaitemsshallbe
sufficientlydescriptivetogive the publicreasonable notice of the matterstobe considered atthe
meeting.Exceptforitemsof anemergencynature,the agendashall notbe alteredlaterthan(i) twenty-
fourhours before the scheduledcommencementof the meetingor(ii) forty-eighthoursbeforethe
scheduledcommencementof ameetingof acity council orvillage boardscheduledoutsidethe
corporate limitsof the municipality.The publicbodyshall have the righttomodifythe agendatoinclude
itemsof an emergencynature onlyatsuchpublicmeeting.
(2)(a) The followingentitiesmayholdameetingbymeansof virtual conferencingif the requirementsof
subdivision(2)(b)of thissectionare met:
(i) A state agency,state board,state commission,state council,orstate committee,oranadvisory
committee of anysuchstate entity;
(ii) Anorganization,includingthe governingbody,createdunderthe Interlocal CooperationAct,the
JointPublicAgencyAct,orthe Municipal Cooperative FinancingAct;
(iii) The governingbodyof apublicpowerdistricthavingacharteredterritoryof more than one county
inthisstate;
(iv) The governingbodyof apublicpowerandirrigationdistricthavingacharteredterritoryof more
than one countyinthisstate;
(v) Aneducational service unit;
(vi) The Educational Service UnitCoordinatingCouncil;
(vii) Anorganization,includingthe governingbody,of ariskmanagementpool oritsadvisory
committeesorganizedinaccordance withthe Intergovernmental RiskManagementAct;

8. (viii) A communitycollegeboardof governors;
(ix) The NebraskaBrandCommittee;
(x) A local publichealthdepartment;
(xi) A metropolitanutilitiesdistrict;
(xii) A regional metropolitantransitauthority;
(xiii) A natural resourcesdistrict;and
(xiv) The Judicial ResourcesCommission.
(b) The requirementsforholdingameetingbymeansof virtual conferencingare asfollows:
(i) Reasonable advance publicizednotice isgivenasprovidedinsubsection(1) of thissection,including
providingaccesstoa dial-innumberorlinktothe virtual conference;
(ii) Inadditiontothe public'srighttoparticipate byvirtual conferencing,reasonable arrangementsare
made to accommodate the public'srightto attendat a physical site andparticipate asprovidedin
section84-1412, includingreasonable seating,inatleastone designated site inabuildingopentothe
publicandidentifiedinthe notice,with:Atleastone memberof the entityholdingsuchmeeting,orhis
or her designee,presentateachsite;a recordingof the hearingbyaudioor visual recordingdevices;
and a reasonable opportunityforinput,suchaspubliccommentorquestions,isprovidedtoatleastthe
same extentaswouldbe providedif virtual conferencingwasnotused;
(iii) Atleastone copyof all documentsbeingconsideredatthe meetingisavailableatany physical site
opento the publicwhere individualsmayattendthe virtual conference.The publicbodyshall also
provide linkstoanelectroniccopyof the agenda,all documentsbeingconsideredatthe meeting,and
the current versionof the OpenMeetings Act;and

9. (iv) Exceptasotherwise providedinthissubdivisionorsubsection(4) of section79-2204, nomore than
one-half of the meetingsof the state entities,advisorycommittees,boards,councils,organizations,or
governingbodiesare heldbyvirtual conferencinginacalendaryear.Inthe case of an organization
createdunderthe Interlocal CooperationActthatsellselectricityornatural gasat wholesale ona
multistate basisoranorganizationcreatedunderthe Municipal CooperativeFinancingAct, the
organizationmayholdmore thanone-half of itsmeetingsbyvirtual conferencingif suchorganization
holdsat leastone meetingeachcalendaryearthatisnot by virtual conferencing.The governingbodyof
a risk managementpool thatmeetsatleastquarterlyandthe advisorycommitteesof the governing
bodymay eachholdmore than one-half of itsmeetingsbyvirtual conferencingif the governingbody's
quarterlymeetingsare notheldbyvirtual conferencing.
(3) Virtual conferencing,emails,faxes,orotherelectroniccommunicationshall notbe usedto
circumventanyof the publicgovernmentpurposesestablishedinthe OpenMeetingsAct.
(4) The secretaryor otherdesignee of eachpublicbodyshall maintainalistof the newsmedia
requestingnotificationof meetingsandshall make reasonableeffortstoprovide advance notificationto
themof the time andplace of eachmeetingandthe subjectstobe discussedatthat meeting.
(5) Whenitis necessarytoholdan emergencymeetingwithoutreasonableadvance publicnotice,the
nature of the emergencyshall be statedinthe minutesandanyformal actiontakeninsuchmeeting
shall pertainonlytothe emergency.Suchemergencymeetingsmaybe heldbyvirtual conferencing.The
provisionsof subsection(4) of thissectionshall be compliedwithinconductingemergencymeetings.
Complete minutesof suchemergencymeetingsspecifyingthe nature of the emergencyandanyformal
actiontakenat the meetingshall be made availabletothe publicbynolaterthan the endof the next
regularbusinessday.
(6) A publicbodymay allowamemberof the publicor any otherwitnesstoappearbefore the public
bodyby meansof virtual conferencing.
(7)(a) Notwithstandingsubsections(2) and(5) of thissection,if an emergencyisdeclaredbythe
Governorpursuantto the EmergencyManagementActas definedinsection81-829.39, a publicbody
the territorial jurisdictionof whichisincludedinthe emergencydeclaration,inwhole orinpart,may
holda meetingbyvirtual conferencingduringsuchemergencyif the publicbodygivesreasonable
advance publicizednotice asdescribedinsubsection(1) of thissection.The notice shall include
informationregardingaccessforthe publicandnewsmedia.Inadditiontoanyformal actiontaken
pertainingtothe emergency,the publicbodymayholdsuchmeetingforthe purpose of briefing,
discussionof publicbusiness,formationof tentativepolicy,orthe takingof any actionby the public
body.

10. (b) The publicbodyshall provide accessbyprovidingadial-innumberora linktothe virtual conference.
The publicbodyshall alsoprovide linkstoanelectroniccopyof the agenda,all documentsbeing
consideredatthe meeting,andthe currentversionof the OpenMeetingsAct.Reasonable arrangements
shall be made to accommodate the public'srighttohear and speakat the meetingandrecordthe
meeting.Subsection(4) of thissectionshall be compliedwithinconductingsuchmeetings.
(c) The nature of the emergencyshall be statedin the minutes.Completeminutesof suchmeeting
specifyingthe nature of the emergencyandanyformal actiontakenat the meetingshall be made
available forinspectionasprovidedinsubsections(5) and(6) of section84-1413.
Source:Laws1975, LB 325, § 4; Laws 1983, LB 43, § 3; Laws 1987, LB 663, § 25; Laws 1993, LB 635, § 2;
Laws 1996, LB 469, § 6; Laws1996, LB 1161, § 1; Laws1999, LB 47, § 2; Laws1999, LB 87, § 100; Laws
1999, LB 461, § 1; Laws 2000, LB 968, § 85; Laws 2004, LB 821, § 38; Laws2004, LB 1179, § 2; Laws2006,
LB 898, § 2; Laws 2007, LB199, § 9; Laws 2009, LB361, § 2; Laws2012, LB735, § 1; Laws2013, LB510, § 1;
Laws 2017, LB318, § 1; Laws 2019, LB212, § 5; Laws 2020, LB148, § 3; Laws2021, LB83, § 12.
CrossReferences
EmergencyManagementAct,see section81-829.36.
Intergovernmental RiskManagementAct,see section44-4301.
Interlocal CooperationAct,see section13-801.
JointPublicAgencyAct,see section13-2501.
Municipal Cooperative FinancingAct,see section18-2401.
Annotations
Under subsection(1) of thissection,the Legislature hasimposedonlytwoconditionsonthe public
body'snotificationmethodof apublicmeeting:(1) Itmustgive reasonable advance publicizednotice of
the time and place of each meetingand(2) itmust be recordedinthe publicbody'sminutes.Cityof
Elkhornv.City of Omaha,272 Neb.867, 725 N.W.2d 792 (2007).
An emergencyis"(a)nyeventoroccasional combinationof circumstanceswhichcallsforimmediate
actionor remedy;pressingnecessity;exigency;asuddenorunexpectedhappening;anunforeseen
occurrence or condition."Steenblockv.ElkhornTownshipBd.,245 Neb.722, 515 N.W.2d 128 (1994).
An agendawhichgivesreasonablenotice of the matterstobe considered ata meetingof acity
council complieswiththe requirementsof thissection.Pokornyv.Cityof Schuyler,202 Neb.334, 275
N.W.2d281 (1979).

11. Whennotice isrequired,anotice of a special meetingof acitycouncil postedinthree publicplacesat
10:00 p.m.on the day precedingthe meetingisnotreasonable advance publicizednotice of ameeting
as is requiredbythissection.Pokornyv.Cityof Schuyler,202 Neb.334, 275 N.W.2d 281 (1979).
Teacherwaivedrightto objecttolack of publicnotice inboardof educationemploymenthearingby
voluntaryparticipationinthe hearingwithoutobjection.Alexanderv.School Dist.No.17, 197 Neb.251,
248 N.W.2d335 (1976).
A countyboard of commissionersandacountyboard of equalizationare notrequiredtogive separate
noticeswhenthe notice statesonlythe time andplace thatthe boardsmeetand directsa citizento
where the agendasforeachboard can be found.Wolf v.Grubbs,17 Neb.App.292, 759 N.W.2d 499
(2009).
A countyboard of equalizationisapublicbodywhichisrequiredtogive advancedpublicizednotice of
itsmeetings.Wolf v.Grubbs,17 Neb.App.292, 759 N.W.2d499 (2009).
Notice of recessedandreconvenedmeetingsmustbe giveninthe same fashionasthe original
meeting.Wolf v.Grubbs,17 Neb.App.292, 759 N.W.2d499 (2009).
True notice of a meetingisnotgivenbyburyingsuchinthe minutesof aprior boardproceeding.Wolf
v. Grubbs,17 Neb.App.292, 759 N.W.2d 499 (2009).
An agendanotice whichmerelystated"workorderreports"wasaninadequate noticeunderthis
sectionbecause itdidnotgive interestedpersonsknowledge thatplansfora 345 kv transmissionline
throughthe districtwas goingto be discussedandvoteduponatthe meeting.Inadequate agenda
notice underthissectionmeantthere wasasubstantial violationof the publicmeetinglaws;however,
lateractionsby the board of directorscuredthe defectsinnotice,andsuchactionswere insubstantial
compliance withthe statute.Hansmeyerv.NebraskaPub.PowerDist.,6Neb.App.889, 578 N.W.2d476
(1998).
84-1412. Meetingsof publicbody;rightsof public;publicbody;powersandduties.
(1) Subjecttothe OpenMeetingsAct,the publichasthe right to attendandthe rightto speakat
meetingsof publicbodies,andall oranypart of a meetingof a publicbody,exceptforclosedsessions
calledpursuanttosection84-1410, maybe videotaped,televised,photographed,broadcast,or
recordedbyany personinattendance bymeansof a tape recorder,a camera,videoequipment,orany
othermeansof pictorial or sonicreproductionorinwriting.
(2) It shall notbe a violationof subsection(1) of thissectionforanypublicbodytomake and enforce
reasonable rulesandregulationsregardingthe conductof personsattending,speakingat,videotaping,
televising,photographing,broadcasting,orrecordingitsmeetings,includingmeetingsheldbyvirtual
conferencing.A bodymaynotbe requiredtoallow citizenstospeakateach meeting,butitmaynot
forbidpublicparticipationatall meetings.

12. (3) Nopublicbodyshall require membersof the publictoidentifythemselvesasaconditionfor
admissiontothe meetingnorshall suchbodyrequire thatthe name of any memberof the publicbe
placedon the agendapriorto such meetinginordertospeakaboutitemsonthe agenda.The bodyshall
require anymemberof the publicdesiringtoaddressthe bodytoidentifyhimself orherself,including
an addressandthe name of any organizationrepresentedby suchpersonunlessthe address
requirementiswaivedtoprotectthe securityof the individual.
(4) Nopublicbodyshall,forthe purpose of circumventingthe OpenMeetingsAct,holdameetingina
place knownbythe body to be too small toaccommodate the anticipatedaudience.
(5) Nopublicbodyshall be deemedinviolationof thissectionif itholdsitsmeetinginitstraditional
meetingplace whichislocatedinthisstate.
(6) Nopublicbodyshall be deemedinviolationof thissectionif itholds ameetingoutsideof thisstate
if,butonlyif:
(a) A memberentityof the publicbodyislocatedoutsideof thisstate andthe meetingisinthat
member'sjurisdiction;
(b) All out-of-statelocationsidentifiedinthe notice are locatedwithinpublicbuildingsusedbymembers
of the entityorat a place whichwill accommodate the anticipatedaudience;
(c) Reasonable arrangementsare made toaccommodate the public'srightto attend,hear,andspeakat
the meeting,includingmakingvirtual conferencingavailableatan instate locationtomembers,the
public,orthe press,if requestedtwenty-fourhoursinadvance;
(d) Nomore thantwenty-five percentof the publicbody'smeetingsinacalendaryearare heldout-of-
state;
(e) Out-of-statemeetingsare notusedto circumventanyof the publicgovernmentpurposesestablished
inthe OpenMeetingsAct;and

13. (f) The publicbodypublishesnotice of the out-of-statemeetingatleasttwenty-onedaysbefore the date
of the meetinginalegal newspaperof statewide circulation.
(7) Each publicbodyshall,uponrequest,make areasonableefforttoaccommodate the public'srightto
hearthe discussionandtestimonypresentedata meeting.
(8) Publicbodiesshallmake available atthe meetingorthe instate location forvirtual conferencingas
requiredbysubdivision(6)(c) of thissection,forexaminationandcopyingbymembersof the public,at
leastone copyof all reproducible writtenmaterial tobe discussedatanopenmeeting,eitherinpaper
or electronicform. Publicbodiesshallmake available atleastone currentcopyof the OpenMeetings
Act postedinthe meetingroomata locationaccessibletomembersof the public.Atthe beginningof
the meeting,the publicshall be informedaboutthe locationof the postedinformation.
Source:Laws1975, LB 325, § 5; Laws 1983, LB 43, § 4; Laws 1985, LB 117, § 2; Laws 1987, LB 324, § 5;
Laws 1996, LB 900, § 1073; Laws 2001, LB 250, § 2; Laws 2004, LB 821, § 39; Laws 2006, LB 898, § 3;
Laws 2008, LB962, § 1; Laws 2021, LB83, § 13.
Annotations
To preserve anobjectionthata publicbodyfailedtomake documentsavailable ata publicmeetingas
requiredbysubsection(8) of thissection,apersonwhoattendsapublicmeetingmustnotonlyobjectto
the violation,but mustmake thatobjectiontothe publicbodyorto a memberof the publicbody.
Stoetzel &Sonsv. Cityof Hastings,265 Neb.637, 658 N.W.2d636 (2003).
84-1413. Meetings;minutes;roll call vote;secretballot;when;agendaandminutes;requiredon
website;when.
(1) Each publicbodyshall keepminutesof all meetingsshowingthe time,place,memberspresentand
absent,andthe substance of all mattersdiscussed.
(2) Anyactiontakenon anyquestionormotiondulymovedandsecondedshall be byroll call vote of the
publicbodyinopensession,andthe recordshall state how eachmembervotedorif the memberwas
absentor not voting.The requirementsof aroll call or vivavoce vote shall be satisfiedbyapublicbody
whichutilizesanelectronicvotingdevice whichallowsthe yeasandnaysof eachmemberof such public
bodyto be readilyseenbythe public.

14. (3) The vote to electleadershipwithinapublicbodymaybe takenbysecretballot,butthe total number
of votesforeachcandidate shall be recordedinthe minutes.
(4) The minutesof all meetingsandevidenceanddocumentationreceivedordisclosedinopensession
shall be publicrecordsandopento publicinspectionduringnormal businesshours.
(5) Minutesshall be written,exceptasprovidedinsubsection(6) of thissection,andavailable for
inspectionwithintenworkingdaysorpriorto the nextconvenedmeeting,whicheveroccursearlier,
exceptthatcitiesof the secondclassand villagesmayhave anadditional tenworkingdaysif the
employeeresponsible forwritingthe minutesisabsentdue toa seriousillnessoremergency.
(6) Minutesof the meetingsof the boardof a school districtoreducational service unitmaybe keptas
an electronicrecord.
(7) BeginningJuly31,2022, the governingbodyof a natural resourcesdistrict,the citycouncil of a city of
the metropolitanclass,the citycouncil of acity of the primaryclass,the citycouncil of a cityof the first
class,the county boardof a countywitha populationgreaterthan twenty-five thousandinhabitants,
and the school boardof a school districtshall make available onsuchentity'spublicwebsite the agenda
and minutesof anymeetingof the governingbody.The agendashall be placedonthe website atleast
twenty-fourhoursbefore the meetingof the governingbody.Minutesshallbe placedonthe websiteat
such time asthe minutesare availableforinspectionasprovidedinsubsection(5) of thissection.This
informationshall be availableonthe publicwebsite foratleastsix months.
Source:Laws1975, LB 325, § 6; Laws 1978, LB 609, § 3; Laws 1979, LB 86, § 9; Laws 1987, LB 663, § 26;
Laws 2005, LB 501, § 1; Laws2009, LB361, § 3; Laws2015, LB365, § 2; Laws 2016, LB876, § 1; Laws 2021,
LB83, § 14.
Annotations
Under priorlaw,if a personpresentata meetingobservesandfailstoobjecttoan allegedpublic
meetingslawsviolationinthe formof a failure toconductrollcall votesbefore takingactionson
questionsormotionspending,thatpersonwaiveshisorherright toobjectat a laterdate.Hauserv.
NebraskaPolice Stds.Adv.Council,264 Neb.944, 653 N.W.2d 240 (2002).
Subsection(2) of thissectiondoesnotrequire the recordtostate thatthe vote wasby roll call,but
requiresonlythatthe recordshowif and how each membervoted.Neitherdoesthe statute setatime
limitforrecordingthe resultsof a vote,afterwhichnocorrectionsof the record can be made.If no
interveningrightsof thirdpersonshave arisen,aboardof countycommissionershas powertocorrect
the record of the proceedingshadata previousmeetingsoasto make themspeakthe truth,
particularlywhere the correctionsuppliessome omittedfactoractionand isdone not to contradictor

15. change the original recordbutto have the recordshow that a certainaction wastakenor thingdone,
whichthe original recordfailstoshow.State ex rel.Schulerv.Dunbar,214 Neb.85, 333 N.W.2d 652
(1983).
Failure bya publicgoverningbody,asdefinedundersection84-1409, R.R.S.1943, to take and recorda
roll call vote on an action,as requiredbysection84-1413(2), R.S.Supp.,1980,grants anycitizenthe right
to sue for the purpose of havingthe actiondeclaredvoid.Inthiscase such failure couldnotbe later
correctedby a nunc pro tunc order because there wasnoshowingthata roll call vote on the disputed
actionwas actuallytaken,andevenif itwasthe recordshoweditwasnot recordeduntil overayear
later.Sections23-1301, R.R.S.1943, and 23-1302, R.R.S.1943, make itthe dutyof the countyclerkto
record proceedingsof the boardof countycommissioners.State ex rel.Schulerv.Dunbar,208 Neb.69,
302 N.W.2d674 (1981).
There is norequirementthatapublicbodymake a record of where notice waspublishedorposted.
Wolf v. Grubbs,17 Neb.App.292, 759 N.W.2d 499 (2009).
84-1414. Unlawful actionbypublicbody;declaredvoidorvoidable bydistrictcourt;when;dutyto
enforce openmeetinglaws;citizen'ssuit;procedure;violations;penalties.
(1) Anymotion, resolution,rule,regulation,ordinance,orformal actionof a publicbodymade or taken
inviolationof the OpenMeetingsActshall be declaredvoidbythe districtcourtif the suitis
commencedwithinone hundredtwentydaysof the meetingof the public bodyatwhichthe alleged
violationoccurred.Anymotion,resolution,rule,regulation,ordinance,orformal actionof a publicbody
made or takenin substantial violationof the OpenMeetingsActshall be voidable bythe districtcourtif
the suitis commencedmore thanone hundredtwentydaysafterbutwithinone yearof the meetingof
the publicbodyinwhichthe allegedviolationoccurred.A suittovoidanyfinal actionshall be
commencedwithinone yearof the action.
(2) The AttorneyGeneral andthe countyattorneyof the county inwhichthe publicbodyordinarily
meetsshall enforce the OpenMeetingsAct.
(3) Anycitizenof thisstate maycommence a suitinthe districtcourtof the countyin whichthe public
bodyordinarilymeetsorinwhichthe plaintiff residesforthe purpose of requiringcompliance withor
preventingviolationsof the OpenMeetingsAct,forthe purpose of declaringanactionof a publicbody
void,or forthe purpose of determiningthe applicabilityof the actto discussionsor decisionsof the
publicbody.Itshall notbe a defense thatthe citizenattendedthe meetingandfailedtoobjectatsuch
time.The court may orderpaymentof reasonable attorney'sfeesandcourtcoststo a successful plaintiff
ina suitbroughtunderthissection.

16. (4) Anymemberof a publicbodywhoknowinglyviolatesorconspirestoviolate orwhoattendsor
remainsat a meetingknowingthatthe publicbodyisinviolationof anyprovisionof the OpenMeetings
Act shall be guiltyof a ClassIV misdemeanorforafirstoffense andaClassIII misdemeanorforasecond
or subsequentoffense.
Source:Laws1975, LB 325, § 9; Laws 1977, LB 39, § 318; Laws 1983, LB 43, § 5; Laws 1992, LB 1019, §
126; Laws1994, LB 621, § 2; Laws 1996, LB 900, § 1074; Laws 2004, LB 821, § 40; Laws 2006, LB 898, § 4.
Annotations
The Legislature hasgrantedstandingtoa broadscope of itscitizensforthe verylimitedpurpose of
challengingmeetingsallegedlyinviolationof the OpenMeetingsAct,sothattheymay helppolice the
publicpolicyembodiedbythe act.Schauerv.Grooms, 280 Neb.426, 786 N.W.2d909 (2010).
Anycitizenof the state may commence anaction to declare apublicbody'sactionvoid.Cityof
Elkhornv.City of Omaha,272 Neb.867, 725 N.W.2d 792 (2007).
The readingof ordinancesconstitutesaformal actionundersubsection(1) of thissection.Cityof
Elkhornv.City of Omaha,272 Neb.867, 725 N.W.2d 792 (2007).
If a personpresentata meetingobservesapublicmeetingslaw violationinthe formof an improper
closedsessionandfailstoobject,thatpersonwaiveshisorherrightto objectat a laterdate.
Wasikowski v.NebraskaQualityJobsBd.,264 Neb.403, 648 N.W.2d756 (2002).
Under the PublicMeetingsAct,acounty lackscapacityto maintainan actionto declare itsofficial
conduct "void"fornoncompliance withthe act.Countyof York v. Johnson,230 Neb.403, 432 N.W.2d
215 (1988).
Whena petitionerunderthissectionissuccessful inthe districtcourt,thatcourt may allow attorney
fees.TracyCorp. IIv. NebraskaPub.Serv.Comm.,218 Neb.900, 360 N.W.2d485 (1984).
Informal discussionsbetweenthe Tax Commissionerandthe State Boardof Equalizationinwhich
instructionswere clarified,withsuchclarificationleadingtothe amendmentof hearingnotices,didnot
constitute apublicmeetingsubjecttothe provisionsof thissection.Box Butte Countyv.State Board of
EqualizationandAssessment,206 Neb.696, 295 N.W.2d 670 (1980).
The rightto collaterallyattackan ordermade in contraventionof the PublicMeetingActmustoccur
withinaperiodof one yearas isspecificallyprovidedbythissection.Wittv.School DistrictNo.70, 202
Neb.63, 273 N.W.2d669 (1979).
Statutorychange,requiring"publicizednotice"forboardof educationemploymenthearings,
occurringbetweendatesmeetingscheduledandconducted,heldnottovoidproceedings.Alexanderv.
School Dist.No.17, 197 Neb.251, 248 N.W.2d335 (1976).
Voidinganentire meetingisaproperremedyfor violationsof the OpenMeetingsAct.Once a meeting
has beendeclaredvoidpursuanttoNebraska'spublicmeetingslaw,boardmembersare prohibitedfrom
consideringanyinformationobtainedatthe illegalmeeting.Wolf v.Grubbs,17 Neb.App.292, 759
N.W.2d499 (2009).

17. Actionsbythe boardof directorswere merelyvoidable underthissection,andnotvoid.Pursuantto
subsection(3) of thissection,the plaintiffswere awardedpartialattorneyfeesbecause theywere
successful inhavingthe courtdeclare thatthe board of directorswas insubstantial violationof the
statute,eventhoughthe plaintiffsdidnotgetthe relief requestedof havingthe board'sactionsdeclared
void.Hansmeyerv.NebraskaPub.PowerDist.,6Neb.App.889, 578 N.W.2d476 (1998).