The Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources (AENR) Bureau of the Nebraska Attorney General­­­­’s Office handles litigation and enforces State statutes and regulations for Nebraska state agencies and boards representing the interests of agriculture, the environment, and natural resources. The AENR Bureau also protects the State’s interests in the waters of interstate rivers with respect to interstate water allocations set by Compact or U.S. Supreme Court Decree. The AENR Bureau provides full legal support for its represented agencies, which includes representation in litigation, general legal counsel and advice, the review of contracts, approval of rules and regulations, the drafting of legal opinions, and enforcement of agency administrative orders.

The Criminal Bureau's responsibilities include investigative, prosecutorial, appellate, post-conviction litigation, crime victim advocacy, and other functions and services related to criminal law. These responsibilities are divided between sections contained within the Bureau.  The Bureau also provides significant expertise and training to law enforcement officers and county attorneys throughout Nebraska on a variety of matters, including constitutional law, criminal investigation best practices, trial procedure, victim-witness advocacy, Sex Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) services, and human trafficking.

The Civil Litigation Bureau defends all civil lawsuits filed against the State, its agencies, and state officials and employees. The types of lawsuits defended include torts, federal and state civil rights, employment litigation, inmate lawsuits, worker’s compensation, and challenges to the constitutionality of laws enacted by the Unicameral and to the Nebraska Constitution itself. The Civil Litigation Bureau’s duties also include advising the State Tort Claims Board on pending litigation, claims, settlements, and judgments. The Bureau defends hundreds of lawsuits filed per year against the State.  

The Consumer Protection Bureau enforces state and federal laws that safeguard against deceptive, fraudulent, and unfair business practices. The Bureau also has enforcement powers over antitrust and monopolistic activities and is responsible for oversight of charitable institutions and assets, including nonprofit corporations, charitable trusts, and endowment funds. Furthermore, the Bureau oversees and enforces compliance with the civil statutes, regulations, and settlement terms governing the use, manufacture, and sale of tobacco/nicotine products within the State.  

The Health Licensure Bureau enforces the Uniform Credentialing Act through administrative prosecution of licensed healthcare professionals. The Bureau reviews complaints against licensed health care professionals for violations of the Uniform Credentialing Act and advises the Department of Health and Human Services regarding investigations of alleged violations. The Bureau represents the Department of Health and Human Services in administrative actions involving the denial, refusal to renew, or refusal to reinstate individual licenses, certificates, or registrations, including any court appeals in such matters.

The Legal Services Bureau provides legal advice and representation to numerous state officials, agencies, departments, boards, and commissions, including state constitutional officers. The Bureau represents state agencies and officials in various court proceedings, including review of final decisions of administrative agencies. Additionally, the Bureau researches and drafts Attorney General Opinions and reviews rules and regulations for statutory authority and constitutionality in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The Bureau also enforces Nebraska Public Records Statutes and the Open Meetings Act.  

The Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Unit (MFPAU) is responsible for investigating and prosecuting Medicaid fraud and violations of state laws relating to the provision of Medicaid services. The MFPAU has state-wide criminal jurisdiction over Medicaid provider fraud investigations and prosecutions. Additionally, the MFPAU has the authority to file civil actions under the False Medicaid Claims Act. The MFPAU also reviews and can act on complaints of abuse and neglect of patients at health care facilities that receive Medicaid payments. This includes both physical abuse or neglect and financial exploitation of a patient.

The Office of the Solicitor General handles the State’s most significant federal and state appellate litigation. It regularly appears in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the Nebraska Supreme Court. The Office is also responsible for advising the Attorney General on legal and strategic issues. It assists the Attorney General in carrying out his statutory duty to provide opinions on questions of law. It also advises the Attorney General on the invitations he receives to participate in multi-state litigation and join amicus briefs.

The Transportation Bureau provides legal advice and legal services in its dual role as assistant attorneys general and as in-house counsel for the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT). The Transportation Bureau handles all NDOT’s legal work, specializing in the following areas: eminent domain, environmental law, property law, construction contract claims, defense of highway tort claims, contract drafting and interpretation, employment law, defense of workers’ compensation claims and miscellaneous litigation, transactional, and compliance assistance.  The Bureau is recently developing expertise in Nebraska Broadband issues and NDOT’s alternative project delivery methods, such as Design Build.