Amendment would expand open meeting law’s reach

Wednesday, April 14, 1999 | 11:47 a.m.

Tom Skancke, representing the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, requested the amendment to SB312, introduced to guarantee that interested citizens don't have to pay for public agendas.

Greg Salter of the attorney general's office told the committee there have been complaints that public bodies plan to use a new section of the public records law to charge people for mailing out agendas.

"We'd just like to amend this statute to make it very clear by statute that they can't," said Salter.

Skancke said the Las Vegas authority officials think that the measure should be expanded to include boards and commissions that get public money through grants or otherwise use tax dollars.

The primary objections, both to the bill and the proposed amendment, were raised by Assemblyman David Humke, R-Reno, who questioned why public bodies should be required to mail agendas and other items out first class.

"Isn't there a cost to the postage?" he asked. "Does this constitute an unfunded mandate for public agencies?"

He was assured by Salter that most agencies already mail the agendas first class and that there would be no added costs of any significance.