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NDoA Breaks the law again, Attorney General's Office steps in.

We were going to run photos of the range today but the NDoA just keeps giving us new material to report. And poor Kathy Graves. For those who missed it she's the retired nurse who pressed NDoA spokesperson Ed Foster over his 2, 3, 4 thousand horses statement and was eventually informed that Foster considered her a threat to the department. It seems like she may be more of a threat than they realize.

There is an Meeting of the Agricultural Board scheduled for next week in Sparks. A lot of people are curious as to what the Board plans to discuss. If the agenda includes anything related to wild horses, a bunch of them may show up to see what is going on and express their concerns during the appropriate public comment periods.

Nevada law regarding meetings of public boards is very specific. Agencies and Boards must post a notice that includes certain information about the meeting along with the meeting's official agenda. They also have to provide these documents free of charge to whomever requests it, and must put those documents in the mail no later than 9:00 AM three business days before the meeting, not counting the day of the meeting. So as not to get caught unawares, word quickly spread that those interested should request a copy of the agenda so they could study it and decide whether to take a day off to go to the Board meeting.

NRS 241.020

    5. Upon any request, a public body shall provide, at no charge, at least one copy of:

            (a) An agenda for a public meeting;

            (b) A proposed ordinance or regulation which will be discussed at the public meeting; and

            (c) Subject to the provisions of subsection 6, any other supporting material provided to the members of the public body for an item on the agenda ...

Mrs. Graves was informed that the Department didn't take phone requests for notices and agendas and that she would have to write a letter or send an email. Mrs. Graves (who knew better) tried to explain that what the Department was telling her wasn't right, to which Mrs. Graves was informed that she was the one who was incorrect.

A couple of phone calls to the Attorney General's office seemed to clear up the situation. George Taylor from the Attorney General's Open Meeting Law Enforcement Unit explained to me that he had been informed of the situation, that he had just advised the Department of Agriculture as to the particulars of the law, and Taylor further suggested that anyone who was refused a notice and agenda over the phone place another call to the Department of Agriculture. All requests would now be honored.

If anyone still needs an agenda the phone number is 775-688-1180. It might not hurt to also ask for any proposed ordinances or regulations, and for supporting documents identified under the law. If you get any static from the Department of Agriculture Mr. Taylor can be reached at 775-684-1100.