Fair board’s group chat conflicts with KOMA

The Kansas State Fair Board has been using a group chat for the past two years to communicate with its members during the fair.

While the conversations were “inconsequential,” State Fair general manager Robin Jennison said, he acknowledged its use is likely a violation of the Kansas Open Meeting Act.

Max Kautsch, an attorney who advises for the Kansas Press Association, said use of such an app or group chat is clearly a violation of the law.

“It’s a classic example of why the Open Meeting law exists and is interpreted the way it is: to prevent a body from doing the business of the body behind the public’s back, which is what is happening here,” Kautsch said.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)