Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-301 et seq. § 20-336
Commission; hearings; hearing officer; appearance; discovery; discontinuance of proceedings; when.
Operative Text
(1) If an election is not made under section 20-335 with respect to a charge issued under section 20-333 , the commission shall provide an opportunity for a hearing on the record with respect to the charge. The commission shall delegate the conduct of a hearing under this section to a hearing officer. The hearing officer shall meet the qualifications of a judge of the district court prescribed in section 24-301 or any successor statute. The hearing officer shall be appointed by the commission pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the commission. The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing at a place in the vicinity of the place where the discriminatory housing practice is alleged to have occurred or to be about to occur. (2) At the hearing each party may appear in person, be represented by counsel, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and obtain the issuance of subpoenas under section 20-334 . Any aggrieved person may intervene as a party in the proceeding. The rules of evidence shall apply to the presentation of evidence in such hearing as they would in a civil action in district court. (3)(a) Discovery in administrative proceedings under this section shall be conducted as expeditiously and inexpensively as possible consistent with the need of all parties to obtain relevant evidence. (b) A hearing under this section shall be conducted as expeditiously and inexpensively as possible consistent with the needs and rights of the parties to obtain a fair hearing and a complete record. (4) Any resolution of a charge before issuance of a final order under section 20-337 shall require the consent of the aggrieved person on whose behalf the charge is issued. (5) A hearing officer may not continue administrative proceedings under this section regarding any alleged discriminatory housing practice after the filing of a civil action by the aggrieved party under state or federal law seeking relief with respect to that discriminatory housing practice.
Nebraska Revised Statute § 20-336 establishes the administrative hearing process that applies when a party does not elect a civil court proceeding after a fair-housing charge is issued. A qualified hearing officer, appointed by the commission, conducts the hearing near where the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred, following civil-court rules of evidence. Any aggrieved person may intervene, parties may present evidence and cross-examine witnesses, and the proceedings must be conducted as efficiently and affordably as possible. If the aggrieved party files a civil action in state or federal court, the administrative hearing must stop.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-336, a property owner or manager facing a fair-housing charge who does not opt for civil court can expect a formal administrative hearing before a commission-appointed hearing officer. Compliant operators generally cooperate with the discovery process, which is designed to be conducted as expeditiously and inexpensively as possible, and participate through counsel if they choose. Operators should be aware that any settlement reached before a final order under § 20-337 requires the consent of the aggrieved person on whose behalf the charge was filed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-336 gives aggrieved persons the right to intervene as a party in the administrative hearing, appear in person or through counsel, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and obtain subpoenas. Importantly, no resolution of the charge can be finalized without the aggrieved person's consent before a final order is issued. Tenants who believe they have experienced discriminatory housing practices may also consider filing a civil action in state or federal court, which would halt the administrative proceeding — tenant-rights organizations can help explain the implications of each available path.
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.
Effective Timeline
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