AGO 98001.

• Court: Nebraska

Nebraska Attorney General Opinions 1998. AGO 98001. DATE: January 5, 1998SUBJECT: Whether or not Commission for the Hearing Impaired members are authorized by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-4731 to conduct fundraising activities.REQUESTED BY: Tanya D. Wendell, Executive Director Commission for the Hearing ImpairedWRITTEN BY: Don Stenberg, Attorney General Melanie J. Whittamore-Mantzios, Assistant Attorney General You have requested an opinion from our office as to whether members of the Commission for the Hearing Impaired (hereinafter referred to as "Commission") would be authorized to conduct fundraising activities pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-4731 (1996). Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-4731 provides as follows: "[t]he Governor may accept gifts, grants, and donations of money, personal property, and real property for use in expanding and improving services to hearing-impaired persons of this state." It is our position that § 71-4731 does not permit members of the Commission to conduct fundraising activities. The only thing authorized by § 71-4731 is the acceptance of donations by the Governor for the purpose of improving and expanding the services for the hearing impaired persons of Nebraska. Administrative bodies only have that authority specifically conferred upon them by statute or by construction necessary to achieve the purpose of the relevant act. Southeast Rural Vol. Fire Dept. v. Nebraska Dept. of Revenue, 251 Neb. 852, 560 NW.2d 436 (1997) and Grand Island Latin Club v. Nebraska Liquor Cont...