Today, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that government officials cannot subvert the state's public records law by conducting official business on private devices or through personal email accounts. 

The Nevada Policy Research Institute applauds the Court's decision — a decision that is essential to ensuring Nevadans receive the kind of transparent and open government promised to them under state law.

Nevada Policy Research Institute Transparency Director Robert Fellner issued the following statement:

Today's ruling by the state Supreme Court reaffirms Nevadans’ right to a government that is both transparent and accountable — a promise which has been enshrined in state law for over 100 years.

In finding that public officials cannot hide their activities by simply conducting government business on personal devices, the Court reinforces the mandate within Nevada's Public Records Law that it "be construed liberally to carry out [the] important purpose" of a transparent and open government.

The ruling — drawing on the plain language of the law and the intent behind it — established jurisprudence which will act as a bulwark against those who would seek to undermine Nevada's Public Records Law by choosing to conduct public business on private devices.

A fully transparent and accountable government has long been a top priority of NPRI, which sees them as essential to a vibrant and prosperous society. Today’s Court ruling helps to ensure those principles remain alive and well in Nevada.

For more information, please visit NPRI.ORG or contract NPRI transparency director Robert Fellner at 702.222.0642 or via email at RF@NPRI.ORG.