Legislative Briefly June 16

Sandoval signs bill strengthening open meeting law

Gov. Brian Sandoval Wednesday signed into law Assembly Bill 59 strengthening Nevada's open meeting law.

The legislation gives the attorney general the power to subpoena records when investigating alleged open meeting law violations and provides that meetings of a quasi-judicial public body are open to the public.

It also makes members of a public body who violate the law subject to a penalty of up to $50.

Legislation barring introduction of non-native species in Nevada waters signed

The legislation prohibiting the introduction of invasive aquatic species into waters of the state of Nevada was signed into law Wednesday.

Assembly Bill 167 requires vessels to be inspected for the presence of such plants and animals before they can be operated in Nevada and decontamination or quarantine of those vessels if an invasive species is found.

Supporters said the bill is needed to prevent the further spread of mussels that now clog exits from Lake Mead and other similar contamination.

Violation would be a misdemeanor for a first offense but a Category E felony for any subsequent offense.

Lake Tahoe already has a program of inspections to prevent contamination.