Opinion ID: 1433828
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: 1980 Open Meeting Law Manual

Text: Every few years the Attorney General publishes a Nevada Open Meeting Law manual consisting of questions and answers regarding NRS chapter 241. In 1980, question 18 stated: May a public body convene a `meeting' through the use of a telephone conference call? The answer was given as follows: Nothing in the Open Meeting Law appears to prohibit the members of a public body from discussing public business via a telephone conference call in which a quorum of the members are simultaneously linked to one another telephonically. However, since this is a meeting, the ... public must have an opportunity to listen in on the discussions and votes taking place.... Although a telephone conference call may be a lawful method of conducting the public's business, it should never be used as a subterfuge to compliance with the Open Meeting Law and its stated intent that the actions of public bodies are to be taken openly and their deliberations conducted openly. Richard H. Bryan, Open Meeting Law Manual 15 (3d ed.1980). Question 19 asked, May a public body make a decision (vote) by a mail or telephone poll? The Attorney General gave the following answer: In view of the legislative declaration of intent found at NRS 241.010 to the effect that all actions of public bodies are to be taken openly, the making of a decision by a mail poll which is not subject to public attendance appears inconsistent with both the spirit and intent of the law. The same is true for a telephone poll, unless it is conducted as a telephone conference call in accordance with the requirements noted in Question and Answer No. 18, supra. Id.