LINCOLN- A six-month battle between Nebraska's legislative and executive branches has gotten a reprieve, with watchdog access at least temporarily restored on Wednesday to the state inspectors general. Speaker John Arch and Executive Board Chair Ray Aguilar joined Gov. Pillen in a memorandum of understanding, which specified what information the executive branch would provide to the state ombudsman and inspectors general for corrections and child welfare.

"Over the years, this effort to provide greater and more effective oversight has now become an opportunity to step back and have a broader assessment of the oversight function of the Legislature and how to better coordinate that function," said Arch. The memorandum is set to expire at the end of the 2025 legislative session unless mutually extended.

Arch said that the varying parties in the oversight battle came up with three separate agreements. Firstly, a special committee to consider legislative oversight will be established. Second, certain statutes will be amended to address concerns from the Nebraska Attorney General. And finally, access to information will be reestablished between the executive branch and the office of the inspectors general.

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