Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-301 et seq. § 20-332
Complaint; referral to local agency; procedure; certification of local agency.
Operative Text
(1) Whenever a complaint alleges a discriminatory housing practice (a) within the jurisdiction of a local agency in an incorporated city or a county and (b) as to which the agency has been certified by the commission under this section, the commission shall refer the complaint to that agency before taking any action with respect to the complaint. (2) After a referral is made, the commission shall take no further action with respect to such complaint without the consent of the agency unless: (a) The agency has failed to commence proceedings with respect to the complaint before the end of the thirtieth day after the date of such referral; (b) The agency, having so commenced proceedings, fails to carry forward the proceedings with reasonable promptness; or (c) The commission determines that the agency no longer qualifies for certification under this section with respect to the relevant jurisdiction. (3)(a) The commission may certify a local agency under this section only if the commission determines that the following are substantially equivalent to those created by and under the Nebraska Fair Housing Act: (i) The substantive rights protected by the agency in the jurisdiction with respect to which certification is to be made; (ii) The procedures followed by the agency; (iii) The remedies available to the agency; and (iv) The availability of judicial review of the agency's action. (b) Before making such certification, the commission shall take into account the current practices and past performance, if any, of the agency.
Nebraska Revised Statute § 20-332 establishes a referral and coordination system between the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission and certified local agencies when a fair housing discrimination complaint arises within a local agency's jurisdiction. When a qualifying local agency exists and has been certified as substantially equivalent to state standards, the commission must first send the complaint to that agency rather than acting on it directly. The commission may step back in and resume handling the complaint if the local agency fails to start proceedings within 30 days, stalls unreasonably, or loses its certification status.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-332, property owners and managers should be aware that a fair housing complaint filed against them may be handled by a certified local agency rather than the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission directly, depending on where the property is located. Compliant operators generally maintain records and respond to any agency inquiry promptly, since the local agency operates under standards that must be substantially equivalent to the Nebraska Fair Housing Act. Understanding which agency has jurisdiction over a given property can help operators know what procedural timelines and remedies may apply to a complaint.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-332 means that tenants who file a fair housing discrimination complaint may have their case initially handled by a certified local agency in their city or county rather than by the state commission. If that local agency does not begin proceedings within 30 days of receiving the referral, or fails to move the case forward with reasonable promptness, the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission can resume jurisdiction over the complaint. Tenants who believe their fair housing rights have been violated may wish to contact a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand which agency is handling their complaint and what remedies are available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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