Nebraska § 37-101 - Game and Parks Commission; members; qualifications; term; appointment; removal; limitation on reappointment.

§ 37-101. Game and Parks Commission; members; qualifications; term; appointment; removal; limitation on reappointment.

(1)(a) The Game and Parks Commission shall consist of nine members, one from each of the eight districts provided for by section 37-102 and one at-large member, and shall be appointed by the Governor with the consent of a majority of all members of the Legislature.

(b) Members of the commission shall be legal residents and citizens of Nebraska and shall be well informed and interested in matters under the jurisdiction of the commission.

(c) At least three members of the commission shall be actually engaged in agricultural pursuits.

(d) Not more than five of the members of the commission shall be affiliated with the same political party. The political party affiliation of each prospective member shall be determined as of the statewide general election prior to his or her appointment.

(e) Members of the commission representing districts provided for by section 37-102 shall be bona fide residents of the district from which they are appointed.

(f) When a member ceases to be a member of the political party determined under subdivision (d) of this subsection, ceases to be a bona fide resident of the district, or ceases to be actually engaged in agricultural pursuits if required to meet the qualifications for his or her appointment, the office shall be immediately vacated.

(2)(a) When the term of a member of the commission representing a district provided for by section 37-102 expires, a successor shall be appointed as provided in subsection (1) of this section from the same district as the member whose term has expired. Members shall be appointed for four-year terms. The terms of all members shall begin on January 15.

(b) Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his or her successor. In case of a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term of a member, the appointment shall be made only for the remainder of the term. An appointment made for the remainder of the term shall not be considered a full term.

(c) No person who has served three full terms shall be eligible for reappointment as a member of the commission.

(3) If the Legislature is not in session when members of the commission are appointed by the Governor, they shall take office and act as recess appointees until the Legislature next thereafter convenes.

(4) Members may be removed by the Governor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office, but only after delivering to the member a copy of the charges and affording an opportunity of being publicly heard in person or by counsel in his or her own defense, upon not less than ten days' notice. Such hearing shall be held before the Governor.

If such member is removed, the Governor shall file in the office of the Secretary of State a complete statement of all charges made against such member and his or her findings thereon, together with a complete record of the proceedings.

The commission is a department of state government, has an actual legal existence, and is a legal entity. Duerfeldt v. State, 184 Neb. 242, 166 N.W.2d 737 (1969).