The bill by Assemblywoman Vivian Freeman, D-Reno, would stop such actions. Government bodies could not meet privately in small groups if their motive is to circumvent the open meeting law. After the meeting, committee Chairman Doug Bache, D-Las Vegas, said the bill must be amended before his committee acts. Ninety-nine percent of the people have common sense, but a few will use the law to harass officials. Virtually every witness denounced the fine plan, asserting that no one would serve on boards.
Members generally receive little or no pay.
But as written, the bill could block council members from simply acquiring facts from staff members or citizens, he said. After listening to the witnesses, Assemblyman Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas, said he was puzzled why politicians need to meet privately with staff members before their public meetings. Briefings also could be public, he said. Mortenson said that too many times he has been to meetings where boards give a quick approval or rejection to complicated matters without discussion.