Nevada Laptop Use Policy

Laptops are issued to members of the legislature, and, as state property, each individual is responsible for the contents, use, and safeguarding of that property. Use of laptop computers must comply with applicable provisions of state law concerning the use of state property:

Subsection 8, NRS 281.481 states, "A member of the legislature shall not:

a. Use governmental time, property, equipment or other facility for a non-governmental purpose or for the private benefit of himself or any other person. This paragraph does not prohibit:

(1) A limited use of state property and resources for personal purposes if:

(I) The use does not interfere with the performance of his or her public duties;

(II) The cost or value related to the use is nominal; and

(III) The use does not create the appearance of impropriety;

(2) The use of mailing lists, computer data or other information lawfully obtained from a governmental agency which is available to members of the general public for non-governmental purposes; or

(3) The use of telephones or other means of communication if there is not a special charge for that use." If you have any question with regard to the propriety of a particular use, please consult with the Legal Division.

The primary function of the laptops is to conduct legislative business. Members may add or delete laptop software or hardware so long as the changes do not interfere with this objective. All added software must be appropriately licensed. The member must abide by the license terms and conditions.

Information Systems will not troubleshoot software and/or hardware problems caused by the addition or removal of hardware or software components. Members are responsible for maintaining the operating capability of the laptops.

Information Systems, when issuing the laptops, will ensure all LCB-supplied software is loaded and functioning properly. All laptops will be fully-functional when issued. Information Systems will not add software to laptops that is not supplied by the LCB.

Information Systems will provide diagnostic and repair services for laptops if the user feels the problem is related to LCB-issued hardware or software. However, if it is determined the malfunction has been caused by added hardware and/or software, the member will be charged a fee of $50 per hour for diagnosis and repair. Information Systems, if requested, will reset the laptop to its original operating condition, again at a cost of $50 per hour. This may require removing software and/or hardware. Information Systems will not assume the task of ensuring added components operate with the original configuration. Of course, members may elect to have this service provided by other repair shops at their expense.

The LCB will not upgrade the processor, memory, or storage capacity of the laptops to enable additional hardware or software beyond that supplied by the LCB.

In addition, the following admonitions regarding the use of laptop computers apply:

Members and staff should be aware that documents created on LCB computers, correspondence sent and received via E-mail, and records of sites visited on the Internet may become public in unintended ways. Even if such information is not discloseable under statutes relating to public disclosure, several things could occur resulting in a loss of such privacy or confidentiality as otherwise existed.

Electronic mail, though in most cases secure between sender and receiver, can be mistakenly addressed or forwarded to others for whom it was not intended. Even though you may have deleted an E-mail message on your screen, there is no guarantee that it has been removed from the system. The same applies for documents created using word processing and other applications available for LCB use.

Internet sites visited by PCs that are part of the legislative network can be tracked. Moreover, with appropriate software, "owners" of sites you visit on the Internet may be able to learn your identity.

Any time a user posts comments on Internet news servers he or she leaves an Internet address behind. Anyone using an Internet search site has the ability to search for the address (e.g., "lcb.state.nv.us"), determine who from that site has left postings, and read, print, copy, or distribute their contents. Postings of a

non-legislative nature, in addition to being in violation of LCB rules, may also prove personally and professionally embarrassing.

Finally, it is within visited could be retrieved and disclosed under the right set of circumstances the realm of possibility that information regarding documents created on an LCB PC, E-mails, and Internet sites.

Lorne Malkiewich Member Signature

Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau

Print Member Name

Laptop Serial Number

LCB Inventory Number

Received 10/02