53 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 1, § 002
The purpose of these regulations is to establish a framework for the conduct of negotiated rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act. The negotiated rulemaking process can be used by state agencies, whenever appropriate, to resolve controversial issues prior to the commencement of formal rulemaking. Negotiated rulemaking is not a substitute for the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, but may be used as a supplemental procedure to permit the direct participation of affected interests in the development of new rules or the amendment or repeal of existing rules. The negotiated rulemaking process also does not preclude other agency efforts or processes designed to reach consensus with affected or interested persons concerning the content of rules or regulations. A consensus agreement on a proposed rule reached by a negotiated rulemaking committee may be modified by the agency as a result of a subsequent formal rulemaking process.
53 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 1, § 002