NRS703.196. Disclosure and confidentiality of records and other property of public utilities and certain entities.

      1.  Any books, accounts, records, minutes, papers and property of any public utility, alternative seller, provider of discretionary natural gas service or provider of new electric resources that are subject to examination pursuant to NRS 703.190 or 703.195 and are made available to the Commission, any officer or employee of the Commission, an affected governmental entity, any officer or employee of an affected governmental entity, the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney General or any other person under the condition that the disclosure of such information to the public be withheld or otherwise limited, must not be disclosed to the public unless the Commission first determines that the disclosure is justified.

      2.  The Commission shall take such actions as are necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information, including, without limitation:

      (a) Granting such protective orders as it deems necessary; and

      (b) Holding closed hearings to receive or examine such information.

      3.  If the Commission closes a hearing to receive or examine such information, it shall:

      (a) Restrict access to the records and transcripts of such hearings without the prior approval of the Commission or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction authorizing access to the records or transcripts; and

      (b) Prohibit any participant at such a hearing from disclosing such information without the prior authorization of the Commission.

      4.  A representative of the Regulatory Operations Staff of the Commission and the Bureau of Consumer Protection:

      (a) May attend any closed hearing held pursuant to this section; and

      (b) Have access to any records or other information determined to be confidential pursuant to this section.

      5.  The Commission shall consider in an open meeting whether the information reviewed or examined in a closed hearing may be disclosed without revealing the confidential subject matter of the information. To the extent the Commission determines the information may be disclosed, the information must become a part of the records available to the public. Information which the Commission determines may not be disclosed must be kept under seal.

      (Added to NRS by 1995, 385; A 1997, 1884; 2001, 3239; 2003, 3027)