Constitution of the State of Nebraska

CONSTITUTION

OF

THESTATE

OF

NEBRASKA

EditedandDistributed

by

Secretary

of

State's OfficeandClerk of the Legislature's OfficeLINCOLN, NEBRASKAJanuary

2007

CONSTITUTION OF NEBRASKACONTENTS

PagePreamble

.......................................................................................................

I

Article I

.

ill of Rights

...............................................................................

I

Article 11

-

Distribution of Powers

...............................................................

5

.....................................................................

rticle 111

-

Legislative Power6Article IV

-

Executive

................................................................................

18Article V

-

Judicial

....................................................................................

25Article VI

-

Suffrage

..................................................................................

35Article VII

-

Education

..............................................................................

36Article VIII

-

Revenue

..............................................................................

43

Article IX

-

Counties

.................................................................................

49

....................................................

rticle X

-

Public Service Corporations51Article XI

-

Municipal Corporations

.........................................................

52Article XI1

-

Miscellaneous Corporations

..............................................

54

........................

rticle XI11

-

State, County, and Municipal Indebtedness 58Article XIV

-

Militia

..................................................................................

60Article XV

-

Miscellaneous Provisions

...................................................

60

.......................................................................

rticle XVI

-

Amendments 65Article XVII

-

Schedule

.............................................................................

66

.................................................

ticle XVIII

-

Term Limits on Congress67

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKAAND SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTSPREAMBLE.

We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for ourfreedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights andframe of government, as the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

ARTICLE IBILL

OF

RIGHTSSec.

1.

Statement of rights.

All persons are by nature free andindependent, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights; among theseare life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the right to keep and bear armsfor security or defense of self, family, home, and others, and for lawfulcommon defense, hunting, recreational use, and all other lawful purposes,and such rights shall not be denied or infringed by the state or anysubdivision thereof.

To

secure these rights, and the protection of property,governments are instituted among people, deriving their just powers fromthe consent of the governed.

Source:

Neb. Const. art.

I,

sec. 1 (1875); Amended 1988, InitiativeMeasure No.

403.

Sec.

2.

Slavery prohibited.

There shall be neither slavery norinvoluntary servitude in this state, otherwise than for punishment of crime,whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

Source:

Neb. Const.

art.

I,

sec. 2. (1875).

Sec.

3.

Due process of law; equal protection.

No person shall bedeprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor bedenied equal protection of the laws.

Source:

Neb. Const. art

I,

sec.

3

(1875); Amended 1998, Laws 1997,

LR

20CA. sec. 1.

Sec.

4.

Religious freedom.

All persons have a natural and indefeasibleright to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their ownconsciences. No person shall be compelled to attend, erect or support anyplace of worship against his consent, and no preference shall

be

given bylaw to any religious society, nor shall any interference with the rights ofconscience be permitted. No religious test shall be required as aqualification for office, nor shall any person be incompetent to be a witnesson account of his religious beliefs; but nothing herein shall be construed todispense with oaths and affirmations. Religion, morality, and knowledge,however, being essential

to

good government, it shall be the duty of theLegislature to pass suitable laws to protect every religious denomination inthe peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship, and toencourage schools and the means of instruction.

Source:

Neb. Const. art.

I,

sec.

4

(1875).