The Open Meeting Law requires a public body to have periods devoted to comments by the general public, if any, and discussion of those comments at a meeting. Specifically, the public body must take public comments: (1) at the beginning of the meeting before any items on which action may be taken are heard and again before the adjournment of the meeting; or (2) after each agenda item on which action may be taken is discussed by the public body, but before the public body takes action on the item. Further, a public body may have additional public comment periods in addition to the minimum requirements and the public body must allow the general public to comment on any matter that is not specifically included on the agenda as an action item at some point before the adjournment of the meeting. (NRS 241.020) Section 1 of this bill reorganizes the existing requirements for public comment periods into a new section of the Open Meeting Law. Section 1 further provides that if the agenda for a meeting authorizes the continuation of the meeting of a public body to one or more other calendar days, public comment must be held: (1) at the beginning of each day that the meeting is held before any item on which action may be taken is heard by the public body and again before the meeting recesses for the day or adjourns; or (2) after each item on the agenda on which action may be taken is discussed by the public body but before the public body takes action on the item. The Open Meeting Law requires that written notice of all meetings of a public body be given at least 3 working days before the meeting. The notice must include an agenda consisting of, in relevant part, certain information related to periods devoted to public comment. (NRS 241.020) Section 2 of this bill requires that, if a meeting is being held using a remote technology system and does not have a physical location designated for the meeting where members of the general public are permitted to attend and participate, the agenda must also include clear and complete instructions for a member of the general public to be able to call in to the meeting to provide public comment, including, without limitation, a telephone number and any necessary identification number of the meeting or other access code. The Open Meeting Law provides that minimum public notice of a meeting of a public body includes posting a copy of the notice at the principal office of the public body. (NRS 241.020) Section 2 instead provides that a copy of the notice must be posted at the principal office of the public body, or, if the meeting has a physical location, at the building in which the meeting is to be held. The Open Meeting Law authorizes, under certain circumstances, a public body to conduct a meeting by means of a remote technology system. (NRS 241.023) Section 3 of this bill provides that notwithstanding such authority to conduct a meeting by means of a remote technology system, a public body may not hold certain meetings relating to contested cases and regulations by means of a remote technology system without a physical location designated for the meeting where members of the general public are permitted to attend and participate. Section 3 further requires clear and complete instructions for a member of the general public to be able to call in to the meeting to provide public comment, including, without limitation, a telephone number and any necessary identification number of the meeting or other access code, to be made verbally before the first period of the day devoted to public comment.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 241.020, 241.023
Reprint 1: 241.020, 241.023
As Enrolled: 241.020, 241.023
BDR: 241.020, 241.023