HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 9.12(c)--Report re_ impacts of SB 707 regarding updates to Ralph M. Brown Act effective July 1, 2026 GI �" Y C� F
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REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: June 2,2026 FROM: Sharlene Tipton, City Clerk
ITEM NO. 9.12(c)
***APPROVED BY***
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stipton@cityofredding.org wtarbox@cityofredding.gov
SUBJECT: 9.12(c)--Consider report regarding impacts of Senate Bill (SB) 707 regarding
u dates to the Ralph M. Brown Act effective Jul 1, 2026.
Recommendation
Authorize and approve the following:
(1) Accept an informational report regarding the impacts of Senate Bill 707 (Open Meetings:
meeting and teleconferencing requirements) relating to the Ra1ph M. Brown Act,
Government Code section 54952.2, et. seq.; and
(2) Adopt Resolution creating City Council Policy No. 223 - Technology Dis�uption Policy,
pursuant to requirements of SB 707, Government Code § 54953.4.(b)(1)(A)(i)(I)(ia).
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact with this report.
AZteNnative Action
The City Council could choose to not accept this report, and therefare would not be in
compliance with Government Code § 54953.4.(b)(1)(A)(i)(1)(ia).
Background/Analysis
Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) was signed into law on October 3, 2025, and introduces important
updates to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act). SB '70'7 is intended to moderniz� public
meeting requirements and improve public engagement and accessibility for communities;
however, the bill presents local agencies with important considerations regarding implementation
logistics and resource planning as it places new restrictions, expectations and duties upon
"eligible legislative bodies" which is defined as any of the following: (1) a City Council of a city
with a population of 30,000 or more; (2) a Board of Supervisors of a county, or a eity and
county, with a population of 30,000 or more; (3) a City Council of a city located in a county with
a population of 600,000 or more; and (4) a Board o�Directors of large special districts meeting
certain thresholds based on boundary areas, population, number of employees and/or revenues.
Report to Redding City Council May 28,2026
Re: 9.12(c)--Report re: impacts of SB 707 regarding updates to Ralph M. Brown Act effective
July 2,2026 Page 2
Redding City Council qualifies as an "eligible legislative body" as the City Council is the
governing body of a City with a population of 30,000 or more.
Remote Public Access and Participation Requirements
The new law requires eligible legislative bodies to offer participation and attendance through a
two-way phone or video platform and requires the adoption of disruption procedures. On or
before July 1, 2026, an eligible legislative body must adopt a policy governing disruption of
telephonic and internet service for remote participants. Such a policy must be adopted by a
separate majority vote, not on the Consent Calendar, of the eligible legislative body in an open
session. The policy must contain procedures for recessing and reconvening a meeting in the
event of disruption and specify the efforts that the eligible legislative body will make to attempt
to restore the service for persons participating remotely. These requirements include recessing
the open session and making a good-faith attempt to restore the service disruption of telephonic
or internet services that prevents the public from attending or observing the meeting. The policy
must also prohibit the legislative body from reconvening the open session of the meeting until at
least one hour following the disruption, or until telephonic or internet service is restored,
whichever is earlier. Council Policy No. 223 (Technology Disruption Policy) is attached for the
Council's review as Exhibit A. SB 707 authorizes removal of virtual attendees causing disruption
under the Brown Act. The City must sti11 provide warning before removal, unless behavior
constitutes use of force or true threat of force.
The City has contracted with CityzenSolutions, Inc., dba PublicInput, Inc. to provide two-way
telephonic public comment services, with the go-live date anticipated to be J�uly 21, 2026.
PublicInput software allows for receiving and managing requests to speak and public
participation through one platform allowing for reduced staff workload. Additionally, the
software provides the ability to easily gather metrics on participation. This solution also would
not require the need for an additional staff inember during meetings.
At this time, Publiclnput software has been purchased due to SB 707. It has only been secured
for City Council meetings due to financial constraints. It is not a mandate of SB 707 to expand to
other Boards/Committees, but can be, should the Council choose to do so. These requirements do
not apply to certain specified types of ineetings, including meetings held offsite or for inspection
purposes, or in emergency situations. The attached policy incorporates a11 the required provisions
noted here.
Language Translation,Interpretation, and Public Participation
SB 707 requires translation of agendas and public meetings information webpage into
"applicable languages" based on the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) data of
the population served. "Applicable languages" are defined as any language spoken jointly by 20
percent or more of an applicable population that speaks English less than "very well" according
to ACS data. Staff has reviewed and, based on the criteria, the City of Redding does not meet the
20 percent threshold required for translation.
SB 707 also requires public agencies to reasonably assist any member of the public who wishes
to translate a meeting or wishes to receive interpretation provided by another member of the
public, so long as the interpretation does not disrupt the meeting. Reasonable assistance may
include arranging space for interpreters at the meeting location, allowing extra time during the
Report to Redding City Council May 28,2026
Re: 9.12(c)--Report re: impacts of SB 707 regarding updates to Ralph M. Brown Act effective
July 2,2026 Page 3
meeting for interpretation or ensuring that participants may use personal equipment or
reasonably access commercially available interpretation services. The City of Redding is not
required to provide interpretation of ineetings but may elect to do so at its discretion.
The City of Redding is also required to provide a physical location �or members of the public to
post their own additional translations of the agenda in reasonable proximity to the physical
location in which Council meeting agendas are posted. Council meeting agendas are posted on
locked boards outside of the Council Chambers. Staff have already purchased and installed a
two-door enclosed bulletin board with magnets on the outside wall of the Chambers that is freely
accessible for the public to provide alternative translations for Council meetings. The City
Council is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any translation provided.
In addition to the above, SB 707 requires the City to encourage residents, including those in
underrepresented communities and non-English-speaking communities, to participate in public
meetings. This includes maintaining a system for electronically accepting and fulfilling requests
for meeting agendas and documents through email or through an integrated agenda management
platform and maintaining an accessible internet webpage dedicated to public meetings that
provides information about public meetings and the steps to participate. Staff currently manage
requests for this through the City Council and City Clerk email addresses
(council@cityofredding.gov and cityclerk2@cityofredding.gov) and the City Council phone
number at (530) 225-4447. Staff are working with the City's Communications team to update
the website to comply with SB 707 requirements.
This report is an informational report and is not all inclusive of all of the changes to the Brown
Act. Government Code Sections 54952.2 et. Seq. is attached to this staff report for reference.
Envir�onmental Review
This is not a project defined under the California Environmental Quality Act, and no further
action is required.
Council Priority/City ManageN Goals
� Communication and Transparency— "Improve the quality of communication with the
public and City employees to enhance knowledge and increase transparency to improve
public trust."
� Government of the 21er Century— `Be relevant and proactive to the opportunities and
challenges of today's residents and workforce. Anticipate the future to make better
decisions today."
Attachments
Resolution - SB 707 Technology Disruption Policy
Exhibit A - Council Policy No. 223 - Technology Disruption Policy(SB 707)
Bill Text- SB-707 Open meetings_meeting and teleconference requirements_
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDDING
ADOPTING CITY COUNCIL POLICY NO. 223, TECHNOLOGY
DISRUPTION POLICY FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
WHEREAS,on October 3, 2025, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 707 ("SB 707"), the B�own
Act Modernization Act, which requires eligible legislative bodies provide members of the public an
opportunity to attend open and public meetings through a two-way telephonic service or a iwo-way
audiovisual platform, subject to the exceptions stated in that section; and
WHEREAS,pursuant to Government Code § 54953.4(b)(1)(A)(i)(1)(ia), the City Council must, on or prior
to July 1, 2026, adopt a publicly approved policy to address disruption of telephonic or internet service
occurring during meetings where remote access is required; and
WHEREAS, Government Code section 54953.4, subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i)(I)(ib)—(Ic), establishes
requirements for recessing and reconvening a meeting and for making good faith efforts to restore service
if a disruption prevents members of the public from attending or observing the meeting remotely; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is the City's only "eligible legislative body" for purposes of Government
Code section 54953.4; and
WHEREAS, the attached Technology Disruption Policy ensures coinpliance with SB 707, if a disruption
prevents public members from attending or observing via two-way telephonic service or two-way
audiovisual platform, the City Council must recess open session for at least one hour, or until service is
restored, whichever is earlier; and
WHEREAS, if after an hour service is not restored, the City Council shall reconvene and either:
1. Adj ourn the meeting; or
2. Adopt a finding, by roll call vote, that good faith efforts were made in aecordance with the
Policy and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest
in remote public access; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt a policy that implements, and does not expand upon, the
requirements of Government Code section 54953.4;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT TS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Redding that City
Council Policy No. 223, Technology Disruption, as attached hereto as Exhibit A, is adopted.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was introdueed and adopted at a regular meeting of the
City Couneil of the City of Redding on the 2nd day of June, 2026,by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEIVIBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
MIKE LITTAU,Mayor
ATTEST: FORM APPROVED:
SHARLENE TIPTON, City Clerk BENJA�IVIIN L STOCK,Interim City Attorney
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• ' ' • • Effective Date: 07.012026
TechnotogY ��srupt�an Pol�cy Type: �,ty�oun�,�
1. Background
Senate Bill 707(2025) ("SB 707")amended the Brown Act to require all "eligible legislative bodies"
to offer remote public access for City Council meetings through either (1) two-way telephonic
service or (2) two-way audiovisual platforms. The City of Redding (the "City") is an "eligible
legislative body" and is required to adopt, on or before July 1, 2026, a policy on how to address
telephonic or internet service connection disruption that prevent members of the public from
remotely attending or observing a public open meeting of the City Council .
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is for the City to establish procedures for responding to a disruption
in the telephonic or internet services that provide two-way remote access for the public to
attend and participate in public open meetings of City Council, as required by the Brown Act(Gov.
Code § 54953.4). This policy is adopted to ensure statutory compliance, transparency, public
participation and access, and continuity of government operation during technology disruptions
that occur in public open meetings of the City Council.
3. Definitions
For purposes of this policy:
• "Disruption" means any failure, outage, or other interruption in the City's telephonic or
internet service that prevents members of the public from attending or observing public open
meeting of the City Council.
• "Remote Access Services" means the two-way telephonic service and/or two-way audiovisual
platform used to provide real-time remote public attendance and observation of public open
meetings of the City Council.
4. Applicability
This policy applies to all open and public meetings of City Council at which remote public
participation is required per Government Code § 54953.4(b)(1)(A)(i)(I)(ia) but does not apply in
those circumstances where the Brown Act provides that remote public access is not required.
Poticy History:Adopted 06.02.26. Effective 07.01.26. 1 of 3
Lead Department:Office of the City Clerk
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• ' ' • • Effective Date: 07.012026
TechnotogY ��srupt�an Pol�cy Type: �,ty�oun�,�
5. Procedures in the Event of a Service Disruption
5.1 Response to Service Disruption
If the Presiding OfFicer or City Clerk becomes aware of a disruption to the City's Remote
Access Services that prevents members of the public from attending or observing the
meeting remotely:
1. The Presiding OfFicer or City Clerk shall immediately announce the disruption to the
public;
2. The Presiding OfFicer must either adjourn the open session or recess from open
session for at least one (1) hour to make a good faith effort to restore the Remote
Access Services;
3. If recessed from open session, then City Council may meet in closed session as
permitted by Government Code section 54953.4;
4. If recessed from open session, staff shall begin efforts to diagnose and restore the
Remote Access Services.
5. If following recess of the open session, Remote Access Services have not been
restored within (1) hour, then City Council may reconvene the meeting if it adopts,
by roll call vote, a finding required by Section 6.2. The recess period may be
extended if restoration efforts are ongoing.
5.2 Efforts to Restore Remote Access Services
The City shall make good faith efforts to restore Remote Access Services, which may
include:
• Troubleshooting platform or teleconferencing software;
• Resetting or replacing audiovisual equipment;
• Attempting alternative connection methods;
• Contacting necessary support staff or service providers; or
• Switching to back-up equipment or platforms, if available
Pursuant to Section 7 of this policy, the City Clerk, or designee, shall make a record and
enter into the meeting minutes the disruption and the restoration efforts undertaken by
the City.
Poticy History:Adopted 06.02.26. Effective 07.01.26. 2 of 3
Lead Department:Office of the City Clerk
4930-1930-1296 v1
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TechnotogY ��srupt�an Pol�cy Type: �,ty�oun�,�
6. Reconvening the Open Session
6.1. Timing
The open session may reconvene either upon restoration of Remote Access Services or
after one (1) hour has elapsed from the time of disruption, and the finding required by
Section 6.2 of this policy has been adopted by City Council.
6.2 If Remote Access Services Are Not Restored
If Remote Access Services have not been restored after one (1) hour,the City Council may
either adjourn open session or reconvene open session only after the following, or a
substantially similar finding can be made and is adopted by a roll call vote of the City
Council:
"The City Councit of the City of Redding has made good faith efforts to restore telephonic
or internet service in accordance with its adopted policy and the public interest in
continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote pub/ic access."
Upon adoption of the finding,the City Council may continue the open session despite the
fact that Remote Access Services have not been restored.
7. Recordkeeping
If Remote Access Services were disrupted,then the City Clerk shall make a record and enter into
the meeting minutes the following:
• The nature and time of the disruption;
• How the City Council complied with the procedures pursuant to Section 5.1;
• The restoration efforts undertaken;
• The time the meeting was reconvened (if applicable); and
• The finding adopted pursuant to Section 6.2 (if applicable}.
8. Review and Updates
This policy, like other City Council policies, may be reviewed and amended from time-to-time by
the City Council. As expressly required by the Brown Act, amendments to this policy must be
approved at a properly noticed public meeting in open session and may not be approved on the
consent calendar.
Poticy History:Adopted 06.02.26. Effective 07.01.26. 3 of 3
Lead Department:Office of the City Clerk
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5/27/26,4:45 PM Bili Text-SB-707 Open meetings:meeting and teleconference requirements.
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Senate Bill No.707
�HAPTER 327
An act to amend Sections 54952,7, 54953, 54953.5, 54953.7, 54954.2, 54954.3, 54956, 54956.5,
54957.6, 54957.9, and 54957.95 of, to amend and repeal Section 54952.2 of, to add Sections 54953.8,
54953.8.1, 54953.8.2, and 54957.96 to, and to add and repeal Sections 54953.4, 54953.8.3,
54953.8.4, 54953.8.5, 54953.8.6, and 54953.8.7 of, the Government Code, relating to local
government.
[ Approved by Govern�r Octaber Q3, 2025. Filed with Secretary �f State
October 03, 2025. ]
LEGISLATIVE �UUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 707, Durazo. (3pen rneetings: meeting and telecanference requirements.
(1) Existing law, the Ralph M. Brown Act, requires, with specified exceptions, that all meetings of a legislative
body, as defined, of a lacal agency be open and public and that all persons be permitted to attend and
participate.
This bill would, beginning July 1, 2026, and until January 1, 2030, require an eligible legislafiive bady, as defined,
to comply with additional meeting requirements, including that, except as specified, all open and public meetings
include an apportunity for members of the pubiic to attend via a 2-way telephonic service or a 2-way audiovisual
platfarm, as defined, and that the eligible legislative body take specified actions to encaurage residents to
participate in public meetings, as specified. The bill would require an eligible legislative bady, on or before July l,
2026, to apprave at a noticed public meeting in apen session a policy regarding disruption of telephonic ar
internet services occurring during meetings subject to these provisians, as specified, and would require the
eligible legislative body ta camply with certain requirements relating to disruption, including far certain
disruptions, recessing th� open sessian for at least one hour and making a good faith attempt to restore the
service, as specified.
(2) Existing law prohibits a majority of the members af a legislative body, outside a meeting authorized by the
act, from using a series of communications of any kind to discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item of
business that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. Existing law defines "meetings" for
these purposes to mean any cangregation of a majority of the members af a Eegislative body at the same time
and location, as specified, ta hear, discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item that is within the subject
matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. Until ]anuary l, 20�6, existing law excepts from the prohibition a
member engaging in separate conversations ar cammunications autside of a meeting with any other person
using an internet-based social media platform for specified purposes, provided, among other things, that a
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majority af the members da not use the int�rnet-based social media platform to diseuss amang thems�lves
business af a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative bady.
This bill wauld make the above-described exception related ta communications an an internet-based social media
platform applicable indefinitely.
(3) Existing law requires a legislative bady, prior ta taking final actian, to arally report a summary of a
recommendatian for a final action on specified forms of campensatian for a local agency executive, as defined,
during the open meeting in which the final action is to be taken.
This bill would also require the legislative body to make that oral report, as provided above, prior ta taking final
aetion on thase specified forms af compensation far a department head or other similar administrative officer of
the local agency.
(4) Existing law requires a legislative body of a local agency or its designee, at least 72 hours before a regular
meeting, to pos� an agenda that meets specified requirements, including that the agenda cantain a briefi general
descriptian of each item af business ta be transacted ar discussed at the meeting, as specified.
This bill would, beginning �uly l, 2026, and until auly 1, 2030, require the agenda for each meeting af an eligible
legislative body, as defined, to be translated into all applicable languages. The bill would define "applicable
languages" ta mean languages, according to data from the most recent American Community Survey, spoken
jaintly by 20°!0 or mare �f�he applicable population, as specified, pravided that 20°!0 or mare of the papulatian
that speaks that language that in that city ar county speaks English less than "very well," as specified, and
except as provided.
Existing law requires every agenda for regular meetings to provide an opportunity for members of the public to
directly address the legislakive body on any item of interesti of the public, as speciffed. Existing law specifies that
the agenda is not required to provide an oppartunity for members of the public to address the legislative body on
any item that has already been considered by a committee, as specified, except if the item has been
substantially changed since the committee heard the item, as determined by the Eegislative body.
This bill would add certain exc�ptians to the provision related ta an item that has aEready been considered by a
committee, including excepting committees whose primary subject matter jurisdiction focuses on elections,
budgets, police oversight, privacy, remaving from, or restricting access to, materials available in public libraries,
or taxes or related spending prapasals, except as specified.
(5) Existing law authorizes a legislative body of a lacal ager�cy to require a copy af the act to be given to each
member af the legislative body and specified persons elected to serve as a member of the legislative body, and
authorizes an elected legislative body member to require a copy to be given to each member af each legislative
body all or a majority of whose members are appointed by ar under the authority af the elected I�gislative body.
This bill would instead require a local agency to provide a copy of the act to any person elected or appointed to
serve as a member of a legislative body of the local agency.
Existing law authorizes legislative bodies of local agencies to impose requirements upon themselves which allow
greater access to their meetings than prescribed by the minimal standards set forth in the act, and authorizes an
elected legislative bady of a local agency ta also impose those requirements on those appointed legislative
badies of the loeal agency of which all or a majority of the members are appointed by or under the authority of
the elected legislative body.
This bill would remove the above-described requirement that members af an appainted legislative body of a local
agency must be appointed by or under the authority of the elected legislative body of a lacal agency in order for
the elected legislative body to impose the abave-described requir�ments on khe appointed legislative body.
(6) Existing law provides any person attending an open and public meeting of a legislative bady of a local agency
with the right to record the proceedings with an audio or visual recorder or a still or mation picture camera, as
specified.
This bill would remove the reference to an audio or visuaE recorder or a still or motian picture camera for
purposes of recording the proceedings, as described above.
(7) Existing law authorizes a legislative body of a local agency to use teleconferencing, as specified, and requires
a legislative body of a local agency that elects to use teleconfereneing to comply with specified general
requirements, including that the local agency post agendas at all teleconference locations, identify each
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telecanference location in the natice and agenda of the meeting ar proceeding, and have each teleconf�rence
location be accessible to the public. Existing law also requires that, during the teleconference, at least a quorum
of the members of the legislative bady participate from locations within the boundaries of the territory over
which the local agency exercises jurisdiction, except as specified.
Existing law authorizes members who are outside the jurisdictian of a health authority, as defined, that conducts
a teleconferencing meeting to, notwithstanding the above-described general teleconference provisions, count
tawards the establishment of a quorum when participating in the teleconference if, amang other things, at least
5Q% of the number of inembers that would establish a quorum are present within the boundaries of the territory
over which the autharity exercises jurisdiction.
Existing law authorizes, in certain circumstances, the legislative body of a local agency to use specified
alternative teleconferencing which include provisions related to, among others, notice of the means by which
members of the public may access the meeting and offer public comment and identifying and including an
appartunity far all persons to attend via a call-in option or an internet-based service option. Those circumstances
in which the legislative body of a local agency is authorized to use the aEternative telecan�erencing provisians
include specified circumstances relating to a state af emergency, as defined, and, until January 1, 2026, subject
to specified limitations, a member's need to partieipate remotely due to just cause, defined to include, amang
other things, a need related to a physical or mental disability, or emergency circumstances, as defined, if certain
quorum ae�d disclosure requirements are met.
Exisking law aEso authorizes certain eligibie legislative bodies, including neighborhaod cauncils and student bady
assaciations and student-run community callege arganizations to, untiE )anuary 1, 2026, use alternate
telecanferencing if, among ather requirements, the city council or board of trustees, as applicable, has adopted
an authorizing resolution and Z/� of the neighborhoad city couneil or specified student organization, as
applicable, votes to use alternate teleconference pravisions, as specified.
This bill would reuise and recast the above-specified teleconferencing and alternative teleconferencing provisions
to uniformly apply certain noticing, disclosure, accessibility, and public commenting provisions. The bill would
require a legislative body of a lacal agency khat elects to use telecanferencing pursuant to these alternative
teleconferencin� provisions to comply with, in additian to any ather applicable requir�ments under the act,
specified requirements, including that the legislative body provides at least either 2-way audiovisual platform or
2-way telephonic service and a live webcasting of the meeting as a rrreans by which the public may, among other
things, remotely hear and visually observe the meeting, and that a member of the legislative body who
participates in a teleconference meeting fram a remote location pursuant to these alternative teleconfierencing
provisions and the specific provision of law that the member relied upan ta permit their participation by
telecanferencing are listed in the minutes of the meeting. The bill would require a locel agency to idenkify and
make avaiEable to legislative bodies a list of ane or more meeting lacatians that may be available for use by the
legislative bodies ta conduct their meetings.
The bill wauld specify that nothing in khe bill's provisions is to be construed to prohibit a member of a legislative
body with a disability, as defined, from participating in any meeting of the legislatiue body by remote
participation as a reasonable accommodation pursuant to any applicable law. The bill would apply certain
provisions relative to, amang other things, quorum establishment to that circumstance.
The bill would instead authorize a health authority, as defined, to conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant ko
the abave-described alternative teleeonferencing provisions.
The bill would reuise and recast the alternative telecor�ferencing provisions applicable in a state of emergency, as
defined. The bill would also include a local emergency, as defined, as a circumstance in whieh a legislative body
af a locai agency is authorized ta use the alternative teleconferencing provisions.
The bill would revise and recast the alternative teleconferencing prouisions applicable in cases of a member's
need ta participate remotely due to just cause ar emergency circumstances, as defined, to remove the provision
applicable ta emergency circumstances, to revise related definitions, including broadening the definitian of just
cause to include, among other things, a physical or family medical emergency that prevents a member from
attending in person, and to require the minutes for a meeting to identify the specific provision of law that each
member relied upon to participa�e remakely, as specified. The bill wauld extend the autharizatian to use the
alternative teleconferencing provision until January 1, 2030.
The bill would revise and recast the alternative teleconferencing provisions applicable to neighborhood councils
and student body associations and student-run community eallege organizatians. In regards to the alternative
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telecanferencing provisions applicable to student body associations and student-run community college
prganizations, the bill would exempt the California C3nline Community College fram specified requirements for an
in-persan quorum, a physical lacation for public participation, and certain accommodations under the
autharization, and remove the ability for a person with a disability that requires certain accammodations to count
towards the in-person quorum requirement. The bil! wauld specify that the student bady associatians and
student-run cammunity college arganizations described abave are those in any community college recognized
within the California Community Colleges system, and would extend the authorization ta the Student Senate far
California Community Colleges. The bill would extend the autharization ko use the alternative teleconferencing
pravisions applicable to neighborhood councils and student body associations and student-run community college
organizations until )anuary 1, 2030.
The bill would, until January 1, 2430, also authorize a specified subsidiary body of local agencies to canduct a
teEeconference meeting pursuant to the above-described alternative telecanferencing provisions, provided that it
complies with the requirements for alternative teleconferencing described above and additional requirements,
including that the subsidiary body designates one physical meeting locatian within the boundaries af the
legislative body that created the subsidiary bady where members af the subsidiary bady who are not
participating remately shall be present and members of the public may physically attend, observe, hear, and
participate in the meeting, as specified.
The bill would, until January l, z030, also autharize speeified multijurisdictic�nal bodies af local agencies ko
canduct a teleconference meeting pursuank to the above-described alternative telecanferencing pravisions,
provided that it complies with the requirements for alternative teleconferencing described above and additional
requirements, including that the eligible multijurisdictional body has adapted a resolution that authorizes the
multijurisdictional body to use telecanferencing at a regular meeting in apen session.
The bill wou(d specify that these te[econferencing pravisions are cumulative, and wou(d authorize a legislative
bady to elect to use any teleconferencing provisions that are applicable to a meeting, regardless of whether any
other teleconferencing pravisions would also be applicable to that meeting.
Existing (aw defines "teleconferenee" for purposes of the autharization for a legislative body of a local agency to
use teleconferencing to mean a meeting af a legislative body, the members of wl�ich are in different locations,
connected by electranic means, through either audio or video, or bath.
This bill wauld speeify that °`teleconference" does not include the attendance of one or more members of a
legislative bady in a meeting of the body solely by watching or listening via webcasting or any other similar
electronic medium that daes not permit members to interactively speak, discuss, ar deliberate an matters.
(8} Existing law authorizes a special meeting ta be called any time by, among other persons, the presiding officer
of the legislative body of a local agency, by delivering specified written notices and posting a notice on the local
agency's internet website, if the local agency has one. Existing Eawr requires specified legislative bodies to camply
with the internet website posting requirem�nt.
The bill wauld remove the requirement that anly specified legislative bodies comply with the internet website
posting requirement, thereby imposing that requirement on all legislative bodies.
(9) Existing law authorizes a legislative body of a local agency to hold an emergency meeting without complying
with specified natice and posting requirements in the case of emergency circumstances, as specified, and
impases variaus requirements under these provisions applicable to either legislative bodies generally or
legislative bodies which are a schaol board.
This bill would remove khe schoal baard distinction fram the above-described provisions, thereby imposing the
same requirements to hold an emergency meeting on all legislative bodies of local agencies.
�y imposing additional duties on legislative badies of IocaE agencies, the bill would impase a state-mandated
local program.
(10) Existing law authorizes, in additian to other related specified authorizations, the presiding member of the
legislative body conducting a meeting ar their designee to remove, or cause the removal of, an individual for
disrupting the meeting. Existing law defines "disrupting"far these purposes to mean engaging in behavior during
a meeting af a I�gislative bady that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders i�rfeasible the orderly conduck
of the meeting, as specified.
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This biEl �,rould specify that a meeting far purposes of that provision includes any teleconferenced meeting. The
bill would speeify that th� existing authority of a legisiative bady ar its presiding afficer to remave or limit
participatian by persons vuho engage in behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, ar renders infeasible
the orderly conduct of the meeting, as specified, applies ta members of the public participating in a meeting via
a 2-way telephonic service ar a 2-way audiovisual platform, as those terms are defined.
(11) The bill wauld make other updates to references in the act.
(12) Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of
public badies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest
protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
(13} The Californea Constitution requires lacal agencies, for the purpose of ensuring public access to the
meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies, to comply with a statutory enactment
that amends ar enacts laws relating to public recards or open meetings and contains findings demanstrating that
the enactment furthers the constitutional requirements relating to this purpose.
This bill would rr�ake legislative findings to that effect.
(14) The bill would include findings that changes prapased by this bill address a matter of statewide cancern
rather than a municipaE affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including eharter cities.
(15) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and schaol distriets for certain
cosks mandated by the stake. Statutory pravisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Vote: majority Appropriation: no Fiscal Committee: yes Local Program: yes
THE PEC?PLE OF T�IE �TATE (�P CALIFQRNIA D(�ENACT AS FOLLC�WSQ
CTI 1. Section 54952.2 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 89 of the Statutes
af 202Q, is amended ta read:
54952.2. (a) As used in this chapter, "meeting" means any congregation of a majority of the members of a
legislative bady at the same time and locatian, including teleconference lacatian as permitted by Section 54953,
ta hear, discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item that is within the subject matter jurisdiction af the
legislative bady.
(b) (1) A majority of the members of a legislative body shall not, autside a meeting authorized by this chapter,
use a series of communications of any kind, directly or through intermediaries, to discuss, deliberate, or take
action on any item of business that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body.
(2) Paragraph (1} shall nat be canstrued as preventing an employee ar official of a local agency, from engaging
in separate conversatians or communications autside of a meeting authorized by this chapter with members af
a legisla�ive body in order to answer questions or provide information regarding a matter that is within the
subject matter jurisdiction of the local agency, if that person daes not comrr�unieate ta members of the
legislative body the comments or position af any other member or members of the legislative bady.
(3) (A) Paragraph (1) shall not be eonstrued as preventing a member of the legislative body from engaging in
separate canversations or communications on an internet-based social media platform to answer questions,
provide information to the public, or ta solicit information from the public regarding a matter kMat is within the
subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body provided that a majority af the members of the legislative
body do not use the internet-based social media platform to discuss among themselves business of a specific
nature that is within the subject matter jurisdictian of the legislative body. A member af the legislative body
shall not respond directly to any communication on an internet-based social media platform regarding a matter
that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body that is made, posted, or shared by any
other meenber of the legislative body.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, all of the following definitions shall apply:
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(i) "Discuss amang themselves°' means communications made, posted, or shared on an internet-based
social media platform between members of a legislative body, including comments or use af digital icons
fihat express reactions to communications made by other members of the legislative body.
(ii) "Internet-based social media platform" means an anline service that is open and accessible to the
public.
(iii} `°Open and accessible to the public°' means that members af the general public have the abiliky to
access and participate, free of charge, in the social media platform without the approval by the social
media platfarm ar a person or entity ather than the social media platform, including any forum and
chatraam, and cannot be block�d from doing sa, except when the internet-based social media platform
determines that an individual violated its protocols or rules.
(c} Nothing in this section shall impase the requirements of this chapter upon any of the follawing:
(1) Individual contacts or conversations between a member of a legislative body and any other person that do
not violate subdivision (b).
(2) The attendance of a majority af the members of a legislative body at a canference or similar gathering
open to the public that involves a discussian af issues of general infierest to the public or to public agencies of
the type represented by the legislakive bady, provided that a majority af the members do not discuss among
themselves, other than as part of the scheduled program, business of a specified nature that is within the
subjeet matter jurisdiction of the local agency. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to allow members of the
public free admission to a canference or similar gathering at which the arganizers have required other
participants or registranks to pay fees or charges as a condition of attendance.
(3) The attendance of a majority of khe members of a legislative body at an open and publicized meeting
organized to address a topic of local community concern by a person or organizatian other than the local
agency, provided that a majarity of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the
scheduled program, business of a specific nature that is within the subjeet matter jurisdiction of the legislative
body of the local agency.
(4) The attendance �f a majarity of the members of a legislative body at an open and noticed meeting of
another body of the local agency, or at an open and noticed meeting af a legislative body of another local
agency, pravided that a majarity of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the
scheduled meeting, business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdictian af the legislative
bady of the local agency.
(5) The attendance of a majarity of the members of a legislative body at a purely social or ceremonial
accasion, provided that a majority af the members da not discuss among themselves business of a specific
nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative bady of the local agency.
(6) The attendance of a majority of the members af a legislative body at an open and noticed meeting of a
standing cammittee of that body, provided that the rnembera of the legislative body who are not members of
the standing committee attend only as observers.
�EC. 2. Sectian 54952.2 of the Government Cade, as added by Section 2 af Chapter 89 af the Statutes af 2020,
is repealed.
SE�. 3. Section 54952.7 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54952.7. A lacal agency shali provide a copy af this chapter to any persan elected or appointed to serve as a
member of a legislative body of the locai agency.
�EC. 4, Section 54953 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 534 af the Statutes of
2023, is amended to read:
54953. (a) All meetings af the legislative body of a lacal agency shall be open and public, and alE persons shall be
permitted ta attend any meeting of the legislative bady of a local agency, except as atherwise provided in this
chapter.
(b) (1} Natwithstanding any other provision of law, the IegisEative body af a local agency may use
teEeconferencing for the benefit of khe public and the legislative bady of a local agency in cannection with any
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meeting or proceeding authorized by law. The teleconferenced meeting or proceeding shall cQmply with all
atherwise applicable requirements af this chapter and all otherwise applicable provisions of law relating to a
specific type of ineeting ar proceeding.
(2) Teleconferencing, as authorized by this section, may be used far all purposes in connection with any
meeting within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body, If khe legislative body af a local agency
elects to use teleconferencing, the legislative body of a local agency shall comply with all af the follawing:
(A) All votes taken during a teleconferenced meeting shall be by rolicall.
(B} The teleconferenced meetings shall be conducted in a manner that protects the statutory and
canstitutional rights of the parties or the publie appearing before the legislative body of a lacal agency.
(C} The legislative body shall give notice of the meeting and post agendas as otherwise required by this
chapter.
(D) The legislative body shall allow members of the public to aceess the meeting and the agenda shall
pravide an opportunity for members of the public ta address tMe legislative body directly pursuant to
Section 5495�.3,
(3) If the legislative body of a local agency elects to use teleconferencing, it shall post agendas at all
teleconference lacations. Each teleconference locatian shall be identified in the notice and agenda of the
meeting or proceeding, and each teleconference lacation shalE be accessible to the public. During the
teleconference, at least a quorum of fhe members of the legislative body shal( participate from locations within
the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction, except as expressly pravided
in this chapter.
(4) The teleconferencing requirements of this subdivision shall nat apply to remote participation described in
subdivisian (c}.
(c} (1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a member af a legislative body with a disability from
participating in any meeting of the legislativ� body by remate participation as a reasonable accommadation
pursuant to any applicabie law.
(2} A member of a legisla�ive body participating in a meeting by remote partieipation pursuant to this
subdivision shall da both of the fallawing:
(A) The member shall participate thraugh both audio and visual technoEogy, except that any member with a
disabiliky, as defined in Seckian 12102 af Title 42 of the United States Cade, may participate only through
audio technology if a physical condition related to their disability results in a need to participate off camera.
(B) The member shall disclase at the meeting before any actian is taken, whether any other individuals 18
years of age or older are present in the raom at the remote location with the member, and the general
nature of the member`s relationship with any of those individuals.
(3) Remote participation under this subdivision shall be treated as in-person attendance at the physical
meeting locatian for all purposes, including any requirement that a quorum of the legislative body participate
from any particular lacation. The pravisions of subdivision (b) and Sectians 54953.8 to 54953.8.7, inclusive,
shall nat apply to remote participa�ion under this subdivision.
(d) (1) No legislative body shall take action by secret ballot, whether preliminary ar final.
(2) The legislative body of a local agency shall publicly report any action taken and the vote or abstention an
that action af each mem�er present for the action.
(3) (A) Prior ta taking final action, the legislative body shall orally report a summary of a recommendation Por
a final action on the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of either of
the follawing during the open meeting in which the final action is ta be takene
(i) A local ageney executive, as defined in subdivision (d} of Sectian 3511.1.
(ii) �, department head or ather similar administrative officer of the local agency.
(B} This paragraph shall not affect the pubEic°s right under the Califarnia Public Records Act (Division 10
(cammencing with Section 7920.Q00} af Title 1} ta inspect ar capy records created or received in the
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process of developing the recommendation.
(e} For purposes of this sectian, both af the following definitions apply:
(1) "Disability" means a physical disability or a menta! disability as those terms are defined in 5ection 12926
and used in Section 12926.1, or a disability as defined in Section 12102 af Title 42 of the United States Code.
(2) (A} "Teleeonference" means a m�eting of a legislative body, the members of which are in different
locations, cannected by electronic means, thraugh either audio or video, or both.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A}, °`teleconference"does not include one or more members watehing ar
listening to a meeting via webcasting or any ather similar electronic medium that does not permit members
to interactively speak, discuss, or deliberate on matters.
(3) "Remote participation" means participation in a meeting by teleconference at a location other than any
physical meeting location desigr�ated in the notice of the meeting.
. 5. Section 54953.4 is added ta the Government Code, to read:
54953.4. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that public access, including through translation of agendas as
required by this section, is necessary for an informed papulace. The Legislature encourages Eacal agencies ko
adopt public access requirements that exceed the requirements of this chapter by translating additional
languages, employing human translators, and conducting additional outreach.
(b} {1) In addition to any other applicable requirements of this chapter, a meeting held by a eligible legislative
body pursuant ta this chapter shall camply +rvith both af the following requirements:
(A) (i) (I} (ia) ,All open and public meetings shall include an oppartunity for members of the public to attend
via a two-way kelephonic service ar a two-way audiovisual platform, except if adequate telephonic or
internet service is not operational at the meeting location. If adequate telephonic or internet service is
operational at the meeting locatian during only a partion of the meeting, the legislative bady shall include
an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a two-way telephanic service or a two-way
audiovisual platform during that portion of the meeting.
(ib) (Ta} Qn or before 7uly l, 2Q26, an eligible legislative body shall approve at a noticed public
meeting in open session, not an the cansent calendar, a policy regarding disruption of kelephonic or
internet service occurring during meetings subject to this sub-subclause. The palicy shall address
the procedures for recessing and reconvening a meeting in the event af disruption and the efforts
that the eligible legislative body shall make to atkempt to restore the service.
(Ib} If a disruptian of telephonic or internet service that prevents members af tMe public from
attending or observing the meeting via the two-way telephonic service ar two-way audiovisual
platform occurs during the meeting, the eligible legislative body shall recess the open session of
the meeting for at least one hour and make a good faith attempt to restore the service. TMe
eligible legislative body may meet in closed session during this period. The eligible legislative
body shall not recanvene the apen session of the meeting until at least one hour following the
disruption, or until telephonic ar internet service is restored, whichever is earlier.
(Ic) Upon recanvening the open session, if telephonic or internet service has nat been restared,
the eligible legislative body shall adopt a finding by rollcaEl vote that gaod faith efforts to restore
the telephonic or internet service have been made in accardance with the policy adopted
pursuant to sub-sub-subclause (Ia} and that the public interest in continuing the meeting
outweighs the public interest in remote public access.
(TI} Subclause (T) daes not apply to a meeting that is held to do any of the follawing:
(ia) Attend a judiciai or administrative proceeding to which the local agency is a party.
(ib) Inspect real or personal property provided that th� topic of the meeting is limited to items
directly relaked to the real or personal property.
(ic) Meet with elected ar appointed afficials of the United States or the State af California, salely to
discuss a legislative or regulatory issue affecting the local agency and over which the federal or
state offieials have jurisdictian.
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(id) Meet in or nearby a facility owned by the agency, provided that the topic of the meeting is
limited to items directly related �o the facility.
(ie} Meet in an emergency situatian pursuant to Section 54956.5.
(ii) If an eligible legislative body elects to provide a two-way audiavisual platform, the eligible legislative
body shall publicly post and pravide a call-in option, and activate any autamatic captioning function
during the meeting if an automatic captianing function is included with the two-way audiovisual platfarm.
if an eligible legislative body daes not elect to provide a two-way audiovisual platform, the eligible
legislative body shall provide a two-way telephonic service for the public ta participate in the meeting,
pursuant to subclause (I).
(B} (i} All open and public meetings far which attendance via a twa-�vay telephonic service or a two-way
audiovisual platform is provided in accordance with paragraph (1) shall provide the public with an
opportunity to pravide public comment in accordance with Section 54954.3 via the two-way telephonic or
twa-way audiovisual platform, and ensure the opportunity far the members of the public participating via a
twa-way telephonic or two-way audiavisual platform ta provide public comment with the same time
allatment as a persan attending a meeting in person.
(2) (A} An eligible legislative body shall reasanably assist members of the public who wish to translate a public
meeting into any language or wish to receive interpretation provided by another member of the public, so lang
as the interpretation is not disrupting to the meeting, as defined in Section 54957.95. The eligible legislative
body shaEl publicize instructions on how to request assistance under this subdivision. Assistance may include
any of the following, as determined by the eligible legislative body:
(i) Arranging space for ane ar more interpreters at the meeting location.
(ii) �,Ilowing extra time during the meeting for interpretatian ta occur.
(iii) Ensuring participants may utilize their persanal equipment or reasanably access facilities for
participants to access commercially available interpretatian services.
(B) This section does not require an eligible legislative body ko provide inkerpretation of any public meeking,
however, an eligible legislative bady may elect to provide interpretation of any public meeting.
(C) The eligible legislative bady is not responsible for the cantent or accuracy of any interpretation
facilitated, assisted with, or provided under this subdivisian. An action shall nat be commenced or
maintained against the eligible legislative body arising fram the content ar aceuracy af any interpretation
facilitated, assisted with, or provided under this subdivision.
(3) An eligible legislative body shall take the following actions to encourage residents, including those in
underrepresented communities and non-English-speaking communities, to parkicipate in public meekings:
(A) Have in place a system for electronically accepting and fulfilling requ2sts for meeting agendas and
documents pursuant to Section 54954.1 through email ar thraugh an integrated agenda management
platform. Informatian about how to make a request using tMis system shall be accessible through a
prominent direct link posted on the primary internet websike home page of the eligible legislative body.
(B} (i) Create and maintain an accessible internet webpage dedicated ta publie meetings that includes, ar
provides a link to, all of the following information:
(I) A general explanation of the public meeting pracess for the eligible legislative bady.
(II) An explanation of the prpcedures for a member of th� public to prpvide in-person or remote oral
public comment during a pubiic meeting or to submit written public comment.
(TII) A calendar of aEl public meeting dates with calendar listings that inelude the date, time, and
lacation af each public meeting.
(IV) The agenda pasted online pursuant ta paragraph (2) af subdivision (a) of Section 54954.2.
(ii) The eligible legislative body shall inciude a link ta the webpage raquired by subparagraph (P,) on tMe
home page of the eligible legislative bady`s internet website.
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(C) (i) Make reasonable efforts, as determined by the I�gislative body, ta invite groups that do not
traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings, which may inelude, but are not limited
ta, all the fallowing:
(T) Media organizations that provide news caverage in the jurisdiction af the eligible legislative body,
including media organizations that serve non-EngEish-speaking cammunities.
(II} Gaod gavernment, civil rights, civic engagement, neighborhood, and community group
arganizations, ar similar organizations that are active in the jurisdiction of the eligible legislative body,
including organizations active in non-English-speaking communities.
(ii} Legislative badies shall have braad discretion in the choice of reasonable efforts they make under this
subparagraph. No action shall be cammenced ar maintained against an eligible legislative bady arising
from failing to pravide public meeting information ta any specific group pursuant ta this subparagraph.
(c) (1) (A) The agenda fiar each meeting of an eligible IegisEative bady shall be translated into all applicable
languages, and each translatian shall be posted in accordance with Section 54954.2. Each translation shall
incEude instructions in the applicable language describing how to join the meeting by the telephonic or �nternet-
based service option, including any requirements for registration for public comment.
(B) The accessible internet webpage pravided under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3} of subdivisian (b}
shall be translated into all applicable languages, and each translation shall be accessible through a
prominent direct link posted on the primary internet uvebsite home page of the eligible legislative bady.
(2) A translation made using a digital translatian service shall satisfy the requirements of paragraph (1).
(3) The eligible legislative bady shall make available a physicaE location that is fireely accessible to the public in
reasonable praximity ta the physical location in which the agenda and translations are pasted as described in
paragraph (1}, and shall allow members of the public to posk additianal translations of the agenda in that
location.
(4) The eligible legislative bady is not respansible for the cantent or accuracy of any translatian provided
pursuant ko this subdivision. No action shall be commenced or maintained against an eligibl� legislative body
arising fram the content, accuracy, postfng, or removal of any translation provided by the eligible legislative
body or posted by any person pursuant to this subdivision.
(5) Far the purposes of this sectian, the agenda does not include the entire agenda packet.
(d) This section shall not be canstrued to affect or supersede any other applicable civil rights, nondiscriminatian,
or public access laws.
(e) Far purposes of this section, all af the following definitions apply:
(1) (A) '°Applicable languages" means languages, according ta data from the most recent American Cammunity
Survey, spaken jointly by 20 percent or more of the applicable population, provided that 2Q percent or more of
the papulation that speaks that language in that city or county speaks English less than "very well."
(B) For the purposes of subparagraph (A}, the applicable popula�ion shall be determined as follaws:
(i) For an eligible legislative body that is a city council ar county board of supervisars, the applicable
population shall be the papulation of the city or caunty.
(ii) For an eligible legislative bady of a special district, the applicable papulation shall be either of the
fallawing, at the discretian of the board of directars of the special district:
(T) The population of the county with the greatest population within the boundaries of the special
district.
(II) The population of the service area of the special district, if the special district has the data to
determEne what languages spoken by the papulation within its service area meet the requirements of
paragraph (A}.
(C) If more than three languages meet the criteria set fortt� in subparagraph (A), "applicable languages'°
shall mean the three languages described in subparagraph (A) that are spoken by the largest percentage of
the populatian.
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(D) An eligible legislative body may elect to determine the applicable languages based upon a source other
than the mast recent American Community Survey if ik makes a finding, based upon substantial evidence,
that the other saurce provides equally or more reliable data for the territory over which the eligib(e
legislative body exercises jurisdiction.
(2) "Eligible legislative body`° means any of the following:
(A) A city council af a city with a population of 30,OOQ ar more.
(B) A county board af supervisors af a caunty, or city and county, with a population of 30,000 or more.
(C) A city council of a city located in a county with a population of 600,000 ar more,
(D) The board of directors of a special district that has an internet website and meets any of the follawing
conditions:
(i} The baundaries af the special district include the entirety af a county with a population of 600,000 or
mare, and the special district has over 200 full-time equivalent employees.
(ii)The special district has over 1,000 full-time equivalent employees.
(iii) The special district has annual revenues, based on th� most recent Financial Transaction Report data
published by khe California State Controller, that exceed faur hundred million dallars ($440,OQ0,000),
adjusted annually for inflation commencing January 1, 2027, as measured by the percentage change in
the California Cansumer Price Index from �anuary 1 of the prior year to January 1 of the current year,
and the special distriet employs over 200 full-time equivalent employees.
(3) "Twa-way audiovisual platform" means an online platform that provides partieipants with the abi(ity to
participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a two-way telephonic service.
{4) "Two-way telephonic service" means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows
participants to dial a telephane number to listen and verbally participate.
(f) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026.
(g) This section shall remain in effect only until )anuary 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 6. Section S49S3.5 of the Government Code is amended ta read:
54953.5. (a) Any person attending an open and public meeting of a legislative body of a local agency shall have
the right to recard the proceedings in the absence of a reasonable finding by the legislative body of the local
agency that the recarding cannot continue without noise, illuminatian, or abstruction af view that constitutes, or
would constitute, a persistent disruption of the proceedings.
(b) Any recording of an open and public rneeting made for whatever purpose by or at the direction of the lacal
agency shall be subject ta inspection pursuant ta the Califarnia Public Recards Act (Division 10 (commencing
with Section 7920.000) af Title 1}, but, notwithstanding Section 34090, may be erased or destroyed 30 days
after the recording. Any inspection af an audio or video recording shall be provided without charge an equipment
made available by the local agency.
G. 7. Section 54953.7 of the Governrrrent Code is amended to read:
54953.7. IVotwithstanding any other provision af lav+r, legislative badies of local agencies may impose requirements
upon themselves which ailow greater access to their meetings than prescribed by the minimal standards set
forth in this chapter. In additian thereta, an elected legislative bady of a local agency may impase those
requirements on appointed legislative bodies of the local agency.
�EG. 8. Section 54953.8 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8. (a) The legislative body of a local agency may use teleconferencing as authorized by subdivision (b) of
Section 54953 without complying with the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 54953 in
any of the circumstances described in Sections 54953.8.1 ta 54953.8.?, inclusive.
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(b) A legislative body that hc�lds a teleconference meeting pursuant to this section shall, in addition to any other
applicable requirements af this chapter, camply with all af the folEowing:
(1} The legislative body shall provide at least one of the following as a means by which the pub(ic may
remotely hear and visually abserve the meeting, and remotely address the legislative badyo
(A) A twa-way audiavisual platform.
(B) A two-way telephanic service and a live webcasting af the meeting.
(2} In each instance in which notiee of the t€me of the teleconference meeting held pursuant to this section is
otherwise given ar the agenda for the meeting is otherwise posted, the legislative body shali also give natice of
the means by which members of the public may access the meeting and offer public camment. The agenda
shall identify and include an opportunity for all persons to attend via a call-in option ar an internet-based
service option.
(3) In the event of a disruption that prevents the legislative body firom broadcasting the meeting to members
of the public using the call-in option ar internet-based service option, or in the event af a disruption within the
lacal agency`s cantrol that prevents members of the public from offering public comments using the call-in
optian or internet-based service option, the legislative bady shall take na further actian on items appearing on
the meeting agenda until public access to the meeting via the call-in option or internet-based service option is
restared. Ackions kaken an agenda items during a disruptian that prevents the legislative body from
broadcasting the meeting may be challenged pursuant to Sectfon 54960.1.
(4) The legislative body shall not require public eomments to be submitted in advance af the meeting and must
provide an opportunity far the public to address the legislative body and offer comment in real time.
(5) Natwithstanding Section 54953.3, an individual desiring to provide public camment through the use of an
inkernet website, or other online platform, not under the control of the local legislative body, that requires
registration to log in to a teleconference may be required ta register as required by the third-party internet
website ar online platform to participake.
(6) (A) A legisiative body tha� provides a timed public comment period far each agenda item shall nat close the
public comment period for the agenda item, ar the opportunity to register, pursuant to paragraph (5), to
provide public comment until that timed public camment period has elapsed.
(B) A legislative body that does not provide a timed public comment period, but takes public comment
separately on each agenda item, shall allow a reasonable amount af time per ag�nda item to allow public
members the opportunity to provide public comment, including tim� for members of the public to register
pursuant to paragraph (5), or otherwise be recognized for the purpose of providing public comment.
(C) �, legislative body that provides a timed general public comment period that does not correspond to a
specific agenda item shall not close the public camment period ar the oppartunity to register, pursuant to
paragraph (5}, until the timed generaE public comment period has elapsed.
(7) Any member af the legislative body who participates in a teleconference meeting from a remote location
pursuant to this section and the specific provision af law that the member relied upon to permit their
participation by teleconfereneing shall be listed in the minutes of the meeting.
(8) The legislative body shall have and implement a procedure for receiving and swiftly resalving requests for
reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, consistent with the federal Americans with
Disabilities Act af 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and resolving any daubt in favor of accessibility. In each
instance in which notice of the tim� of the meeting is otherwise given or the ag�nda for the meeting is
otherwise posted, the legislative body shall also give notice of the pracedure far receiving and resolving
requests for accommodation.
(9) The I�gislative body shal( conduct meetings subjec� ta this chapter consistent with applicable civil rights
and nondiscrimination laws.
(c) A IocaE agency shall identify and make available ta IegisEative bodies a list af one or mare meeting locations
that may be available for use by the legislative bodies to conduck their meetings.
(d) (1) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a legislative body from providing the public with additianal
teEecanference locations.
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(2} Nothing in this section shall prohibit a legislative bady from providing the public with additional physical
locations in which the public may observe and address the legislative body by electronic means.
(e) A member of a legislative bady who participates in a teleconference meeting from a remote location pursuant
ta this section shall publicly disclase at the meeting before any action is taken whether any other individuals 18
years af age or alder are present in the raom at the remate location with the member, and the general nature of
the member's relationship with those individuals.
(f) The teleconferencing provisions described in Section 54953 and Sections 54953.8.1 to 54953.8.7, inclusive,
are cumulative. A legislative body may elect to use any telecanfereneing provisions that are applicable to a
meeting, regardless of whether any other teleconferencing provisions wauld also be applicable ta that meeting.
(g) For purposes of this section, the following definikions apply:
(1) "Remote location" means a loeation from which a member of a legislative body participates in a meeting
pursuant to paragraph (7) af subdivision (b), other fihan any physical meeting locatian designated in the notice
af the meeting. Remote locations need not be accessible to the publie.
(2} "Teleconference" means a meeting of a legislative body, the members of which are in different locations,
connected by electronic means, through either audio or video, or bath.
(3) "Two-way audiavisual platform" means an online platfarm that provides participants with the ability to
participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a two-way telephonic service. A two-way
audiavisual platform may be structured to disable the use of video for the public participants.
(4) ��Two-way telephonic servic�" means a telephane service that does not require intemet access and allows
participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate.
(S) "Webcasting" means a streaming video broadcast anline ar on television, using streaming media
technalogy to distribute a single conkent source ta many simultaneous listeners and viewers.
C. . Sectian 54953.8.1 is aclded to the Government Code, ta read:
54953.8.1. (a} A h�;alth authority may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.�, provided
that it complies with the requirements of that section.
(b) Nothing in this sectian or Section 54953.8 shall be canstrued as discouraging health authority members fram
regularly meeting at a comman physical site within the jurisdiekian af the authority or from using teleconference
locatians within or near the jurisdictian of the authority.
(c) For purpases of this section, a health authority means any entity created pursuant to Sectians 14018J,
14087.31, 14087.35, 14087.36, 14087.38, and 14087.96Q5 af the Welfare and Institutions Code, any joint
powers authority created pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Sectian 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 for the
purpase of contracting pursuant to Section 14087.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and any advisory
committee to a county-sponsored health plan licensed pursuant to Chapter 2,2 (commencing with Section 1340)
of Divisian 2 of'the Health and Safety Code if the advisory committee has 12 or more members.
EC. 1 . �ectian 54953.8.2 is added ta the Government �ade, to read:
54953.8.2. (a) A legislative body of a Eacal agency may canduct a teleconference meeting pursuant ta Section
54953.8 during a proclaimed state of emergency or local emergency, provided that it complies with the
requirements of that section and khe teleconferencing is used in either of the fallowing circumstances:
(1) For the purpose of determining, by majority vote, whether as a result of the emergency, meeting in persan
would present imminent risks ta the health or safety of attendees.
(2) After a determination described in paragraph (1} is made that, as a result of the emergency, meeting in
person wauld present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees.
(b) If the state af emergency or local emergency remains active, in order ta continue to teleconfererrce pursuant
to this section, the legislative body shall, no later than 45 days after teleconferencing for the first time pursuant
to this section, and every 45 days thereafter, make the fallowing findings by majority vote:
(1) The legislative body has reconsidered the circumstances of the state af emergency or local emergency.
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(2} The state of emergency ar local emergency continues ta directly impact the ability of the members to meet
safely in person.
(c) This section shail not be construed to require the legislative body to provide a physical location from which
the pubEic may attend or camment.
(d) Natwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 54953.8, a legislative body canducting a
teleconference meeting pursuant ta this section may elect ta use a two-way tel�phonic service without a live
webcasting of the meeting.
(e) Far purposes of this section, the following defin€tians apply:
(1) "�ocal emergency" means a condition of extreme peril ta persons ar property prodaimed by the governing
body of the local agency affected, in accordance with Section 8630 of the California Emergency Services Act
(Chapter 7 (eommencing with Section 8550) of Divisian 1 of Titl� 2}, as defined in Section 8680.9, or a local
heaEth emergency declared pursuant ta Section 101080 of the Health and Safety Code. Local emergency, as
used in this section, refers only ta local emergencies in the boundaries of the territory aver which the lacal
agency exercises jurisdictian.
(2) "State of emergency" means state of emergency proclaimed pursuant to Section 8625 of the Califarnia
Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 855Q) of Division 1 of Title �).
SE�. 11. Section 54953.8.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.3. (a) A legislative body of a local agency may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Sectian
54953.8 if, during the teleconference meeting, at least a quorum of the members af the legislative body
participates in person from a singular physical location clearly identified on the agenda, which location shall be
apen ta the public and situated within the boundaries of the territory over which the lacal agency exercises
jurisdiction, provided that the legislative body complies with the requirements af Section 54953.8 and all of the
following additional requirements:
(1) A member af the legislative body notifies the legislative body at the earliest opportunity possible, including
at the start of a regular meeting, of their need ta participate remately for just cause, including a general
description of the circumstances relating to their need to appear remotely at the given meeting.
(2)The member shall participate through bath audia and visual technology.
(3} (A) The provisions of this subdivision shall not serve as a means for any member of a legislative body to
participate in meetings of the legislative bady solely by teleconference from a remote locatian for just cause for
more than the following number of ineetings, as applicabl�:
(i) Two meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets ance per month or less.
(ii) Five meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets twice per month.
(iii) Seven meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets three ar more times per month.
(B) Far the purpase af counting meetings attended by teleconference under this paragraph, a "meeting"
shall be defined as any number of ineetings of the legislative body af a local agency that begin on the same
calendar day.
(b) The minukes for the meeting shall identify the specific provision in subdivision (c) that each member relied
upan to participate remotely. This subdivision shall not be construed to require the member to disclase any
medicaE diagnosis or disability, or any personal medical infarmation that is otherwise exempt under existing law,
induding, but not limited ta, the Confidentiality af Medical Information Act (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section
56) af Part 2.6 of Division 1 af the Civil Code).
(e} For purposes of khis section, "just cause" means any of the following:
(1) Childcare or caregiving need of a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic
partner that requires them ta participate rerr2ately. "Child,"`�parent,""grandparent,"`�grandchild," and "sibling"
have the same meaning as those terms do in Sectian 12945.2.
(2} A contagious illness that prevents a member from attending in person.
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(3) R need related to a physical or mental candition that is not subject to subdivision (c) of Section 54953.
(4} Travel while an official business of the legislative bady or another state or local agency.
(S) An immunocampromised child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, ar domestic partner of the
member that requires the member to participate remotely.
(6) A physical or family medical emergency that prevents a member from attending in person.
(7) Military service obligations that result in a member being unable to attend in person because they are
serving under afficial written orders for active duty, drill, annual training, or any other duty required as a
member of the Califarnia National Guard or a United States MiEitary Reserve organization that requires the
member to be at least 50 miles outside the boundaries of the local agency.
(d} This section shall remain in effect only until aanuary 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SE�. 12. Section 54953.8.4 is added to the Gavernment Cade, to read:
54953.8.4. (a) An eligible neighbarhaod council may conduct a telecon�erence meeting pursuant to Section
54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that sectian and all of the following have occurred:
(1} (A} The city council for a city described in paragraph (2} of subdivision (b) considers whether to adopt a
resalutian to authorize eligible neighborhood councils to use teleconferencing as described in this section at an
apen and regular meeting.
(B} If the city council adopts a resolution described in subparagraph (A}, an eligib(e neighbarhaod council
may elect to use teleeonferencing pursuant to this section if a majority of the eligible neighborhood council
vates ta do sa. The eligible neighborhoad cauncil shall notify the city council if it elects to use
teleconferencing pursuant to this section and its justification for daing so.
(C) Upan receiving notification fram an eligible neighbarhood council described in subparagraph (B}, the eity
cauncil may adopt a resolutian to prohibit the eligible neighborhood council fram using teleconferencing
pursuant to this seckion.
(2} After completing the requirements of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), an e(igible neighborhood council
that holds a meeting pursuant to this subdivision shall do all of the following:
(R) At least a quorum af the members of the eligible neighbarhood council shall participate from lacations
uvithin the baundaries of the city in which the eligible neighborhaod council is established.
(B} P;t least once per year, at least a quorum of the members of the eligible neighborhood council shall
participate in person from a singular physical location that is open to the public and within the baundaries of
the eligible neighborhood council.
(3) If the meeting is during regular business hours of the offiees of the city cauncil member that represents the
area that ineludes the eligible neighborhoad cauncil, the eligible neighborhaod council shall provide a publicly
aceessible physical location from which the public may attend or comment, which shall be the offices of the city
council member wha represents the area where the eligible neighborhoad couneil is located, unless the eligible
neighborhood council identifies an al�ernative location.
(4) If the meeting is outside regular business hours, the eligible neighborhood council shall make reasonabEe
efforts ko accommodate any member of the public that requests an accommodation to participate in the
meeting.
(b} For purposes of this section, the Pollowing definitions apply:
(1) "Accommodation" means providing a publicly accessible physical lacation far the member of the public to
participate from, providing access to technolagy necessary to participate in the meeting, e�r identifying
locations or resources availa6le that could provide the member af the public with an opportunity to participate
in tF�e meeting.
(2) "Eligible neighborhood council" means a neighborhood council that is an advisory bady with the purpose to
pramote more citizen participation in government and make government mare responsive to local needs that is
established pursuant to the charter of a city with a population of mare than 3,OOQ,000 peaple that is subject to
this chapter.
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(c)This section shall remain in effect anly until January 1, 203d, and as of that date €s repealed.
SE�. 13. Section 54953.8.5 is added ta the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.5. (a} An eligible community callege student arganization may canduct a teleconference meeting
pursuant to Seetion 54953.8, provided that it camplies with the requirements ofi' that sectlon and all of the
�ollowring additional requirements:
(1) An eligible community college student organization may only use teleconferencing as described in Section
54953.8 after all the following have accurred:
(A) The board af trustees far a community college district cansiders whether to adop� a resalution to
authorize eligible cammunity college student organizatians to use teleconferencing as described in this
section at an open and regular meeting.
(B) If the board of trustees for a community college district adopts a resolution described in subparagraph
(A}, an eligible community college student organizatian may elect to use teleconferencing pursuant ta this
section if a majority af the eligible community college student arganization votes to do so. The eligible
eommunity college student organization shall notify the board of trustees if it elects to use teleconferencing
pursuant to this sectian and its justification far doing so.
(C) Upan receiving notification fram an eligible community college student organization as described in
subparagraph (�}, the board of trustees may adopt a resalution to prohibit the eligible community college
student organization fram using teleconferencing pursuant to this section.
(�) (i) Except as specified in clause (ii), at least a quorum af the members of the eligible community college
student organization shall participate from a singular physical locatian that is accessible to the public and is
within the cammunity college district in which the eligible cammunity coliege student arganization is
established.
(ii) The requirements described in clause (i) shall not apply to the California Online Cammunity College.
(iii} Notwithstanding the requirements af clause (i), a person may count toward the establishment of a
quorum pursuant to clause (i} regardless of whether the person is participating at the in-person location
of the meeting ar remotely if the person meets any of the following criteria:
(I) The person is under 18 years of age,
(TI} The person is incarcerated.
(III) The person is unable ta disclose the location that they are participating from because of either of
the following circumstances:
(ia) The person has been issued a pratective court order, including, but not limited to, a domestic
vialenee restraining order.
(ib) The person is participating in a pragram that has to remain confidential, including, but not
limited ta, an independent living program.
(IV} The person provides childcare ar caregiving to a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling,
spouse, or domestic partner that requires them to participate remately. Far purposes of this
subdause, "child," "parent," "grandparent," `�grandchild; and "sibling" have the same meaning as
thase terms are defined in Sectian 12945.2.
(2} �4n eligible community college student organization that holds a meeting by telecor�ference as described in
Section 54953.8 shall do the following, as applicable:
(A) (i) Except as specified in subparagraph (B), if the meeting is during regular business hours af the offices
of the board of trustees of the cammunity college district, the eligible community coilege student
organizatian shall provide a publicly accessible physical location from which the public may attend or
comment, which shall be the offices of the board af trustees of the community caElege district, unless the
eligible community college student organization identifies an alternative lacation.
(ii) Except as specified in subparagraph (B), if the meeting is autside regular business hours, the eligibEe
cammunity college student organization shall make reasonable efforts ta accommodate any member of
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the public that requests an accommadation to participate in the meeting. For the purposes of this
subparagraph, "accammodation" means providing a publicly accessible physicaE location for the member
of the public ta participate from, providing access ta technology necessary to participate in the meeting,
ar identifying locations or resources available that could provide the member of the public with an
apportunity to participate in the meeting.
(B) The requirements described in subparagraph (A} shall not apply ta the California Online Community
College.
(b) For purposes of this section, °`eligible community callege student arganizatican" means a student body
associatian organized pursuant ta Section 76060 of the Education Code, or any other student-run communify
college organization that is required to comply with the meeting r�quirements of this chapter, that is in any
community college recognized within the California Community Colleges system and indudes the Student Senate
far California Community Colleges.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2Q3Q, and as of that date is repealed.
C. 14. Section 54953.8.6 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.6. (a) An eligible subsidiary body may conduct a t�leconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8,
provided that it camplies with the requirements of that section and all of the following additianal requirements:
(1) The eligible subsidiary body shall designate one physical meeting Eocation within the boundaries of the
legislative body that created the eligible subsidiary body where members of the subsidiary body who are not
participating remotely shall be present and members af the public may physically attend, abserve, hear, and
participate in the meeting. At least one staff inember of the eligible subsidiary body ar the legislative body that
created the eligible subsidiary body shall be present at the physical meeting lacatian during the meeting. The
eligible subsidiary body shall post the agenda at the physical meeting location, but need nat past the agenda
at a remote locatian.
(2) (A) A m�mb�r of the eligible subsidiary body shall visibly appear on camera during the open portian af a
meeking that is publicly accessible via the internet or ather online platform, except if the member has a
physical or mental condition not subject to subdivision (c) of Sectian 54953 that results in a need to participate
off camera.
(B} The visual appearance of a member of the eligible subsidiary body on camera may cease only when the
appearance would be technalagieally infeasible, including, but not limited to, when the member experiences
a lack of reliable broadband or intern�t connectivity that would be remedied by joining without video.
(C) Tf a member of the eligible subsidiary body does not appear an camera due to challenges with internet
connectivity, the member shall annaunce the reason for their nanappearance prior to turning off their
camera.
(3} An elected official serving as a member of an eligible subsidiary body in their official capacity shall not
participate in a meeting af the eligible subsidiary body by teleconferencing pursuant ta this section unless the
use af teleconferencing camplies with the requirements of paragraph (3) af subdivisian (b} af Section 54953.
(4) (A) In order to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section, the legislative body that established the
eligible subsidiary body by charter, ardinance, resolution, or other formal action shall make the follawing
findings by majority vate before the eligible subsidiary bady uses teleconferencing pursuant to this section for
the first time, and every six months thereafter:
(i) The legisiative body has considered the circumstances ofi the eligible subsidiary body,
(ii) Teleconference meetings of the eligible subsidiary body would enhance public access ta meetings of
the eligible subsidiary body, and the public has been made aware af the type af remcate participation,
including audio-visual or telsphanic, that will be made available at a regularly scheduled meeting and I�as
been provided tne opportunity ta camment at an in-person meeting of the legislative bady autharizing
the subsidiary body to meet entirely remotely.
(iii} Teleconference meetings of the eligible subsidiary body wauld promate the attractian, retention, and
diversity of eligible subsidiary body members.
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(�) (i) An eligible subsidiary body authorized ta use teleconferencing pursuant to this section may request
to present any recommendations it develops to the legislative bady that created it,
(ii) Upon receiving a request described in clause (i), the legislative bady that created the subsidiary bady
shall hald a discussion at a regular meeting held within 60 days after the legislative body receives the
request, ar if the legislative body daes not have another regular meeting scheduled within 60 days after
the legislative body receives the request, at the next regular meeting after the request is received.
(iii} The discussion required by clause (ii) shall not be placed on a consent calendar, but may be
combined with the legislative body's subsequent consideration of the findings described in subparagraph
(A) for the following 12 months.
(iv) The legislative body shall not take any action on any recommendations included in the report of a
subsidiary bady until the next regular meeting af the legislative body following the discussion described
in clause (ii).
(C) After the legislative body makes the findings described in subparagraph (A), the eligible subsidiary body
shall approue the use af telecanferencing by majority vate befare using teleconference pursuant ta this
section.
(D} The legislative body khat created the eligible subsidiary body may elect to prohibit the eligible subsidiary
body from using teleconfereneing pursuant ta this section at any time.
(b) (1) For purpases of this section, °'eligibEe subsidiary bady" means a legislative bady that meets all of the
following:
(A) Ts described in subdivisian (b) af Section 54952.
(B) Serves exclusively in an advisory capacity.
(C} Is not authorized to take final action on legislation, regulations, contraets, licenses, permits, or any
other entitlements, grants, ar allocations of funds.
(D) Daes nat have primary subject matter jurisdiction, as defined by the charter, an ordinance, a resoEutian,
or any formal action of the legislative body that created the subsidiary body, that focuses on elections,
budgets, police oversight, privacy, remaving from, or restricting access ta, materials available in public
libraries, or taxes or related spending proposals.
(2) An eligible subsidiary body may include members who are elected officials, members who are nat elected
afficials, or any combination thereof.
(c) This section shal( remain in effect anly unti(January l, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
�EG. 15. Section 54953.8.7 is added ta the Gavernment Code, to read:
54953.8.7. (a} An eligible muEtijurisdictional bady may canduct a teleconferenee meeting pursuant to Seetian
54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and all of the follawing additional
requirements:
(1} The eligible muEtijurisdictional body has adopted a resolution that aukharizes the eligible multijurisdickianal
body ta use teleconferencing pursuant to this section at a regular meeting in open session.
(2) At least a quarum of the members of the eligible multijurisdictianal body shall participate from one or more
physical locations that are open to the public and within the baundaries of the territory over which the local
agency exercises jurisdiction.
(3) A member of the eligible multijurisdictional body wha receives compensation for their service on the
eligible multijurisdictional body shall participate from a physical lacation that is open to the public. For
purposes of this paragraph, "eampensation" does not include reimbursement for actual and necessary
expenses.
(4} A member of the eligible multijurisdictianal body may participate from a remote location provided that:
(A) The eligible multijurisdictianal body identifies each member af the eligible multijurisdictional body who
pians to participake remotely in the agenda.
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(B) The m�mber shall participate through both audia and visual technolagy.
(S} A member of the eligible multijurisdictional body shall not participate in a meeting remotely pursuant to
this section, unless the locatian frorn whech the member participates is more than 20 miles each way from any
physical location of the meeting described in paragraph (2}.
(6} The provisions of this sectian shall not serve as a means far any member of a legislative body to participate
in meetings of the legislative body solely by telecanference from a remote location for mare than the following
number of ineetings, as applicable:
(A} Two meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly m2ets once per month or less.
(B) F€ve meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets twice per month.
(C} Seven meetings per year, if the legislative bady regularly meets three or more times per monkh.
(D) For the purpose of counting meetings attended by telecanference under this paragraph, a `�meeting"
sh�ll be defined as any number of ineetings of the legislative body af a local agency that begin on the same
calendar day.
(b) For the purposes of this seckion, bokh of the following definitions apply:
(1) "Eligible multijurisdictional body" means a multijurisdictional board, commission, or advispry body of a
multijurisdlctianal, cross-county agency, the membership ofi which board, commission, or advisary body is
appainted, and the board, commission, or advisory body is otherwise subject to this chapter.
(2) `°Multijurisdictional°' means either of the fallowing:
(A) A legislative body that includes representatives from more than one county, city, city and county, or
special district.
(B) A legislative body of a joint powers entity formed pursuant to an agreement entered into in aecordance
with Rrticle 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 af Division 7 of Title 1.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until ]anuary 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
�. 16. Section 54954.2 of the Gavernment Code, as amended by Section 92 of Chapter 131 af the Statutes of
2Q23, is amended to read:
54954.2. (a) (1) At least 72 hours befare a regular meeting, the legislative body of the local agency, or its
designee, shall post an agenda that meets all of the followie�g requirements:
(A) The agenda shall contain a brief general descripkian of each ikem of business to be transaeted or
discussed at the meeting, including items to be discussed in closed session. A brief general description of an
item generally need not exceed 20 words.
(B} The agenda shall specify the time and location of the regular meeting and shall be pasted in a locatian
that is freely accessible to members of the public and on the local agency's internet website, if the local
agency has one.
(C) (i} If requested, the agenda shall be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a
disability, as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132),
and khe federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof.
(ii} The agenda shall include information regarding how, to whom, and when a request for disability-
related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids ar services, may be made by a person
with a disability who requires a modific�tion or accammodatian in order ta participate in the public
meeting.
(2) For a meeting accurring an and after January l, 2019, of a legislative body of a city, county, city and
county, special district, schoal district, or palitical subdivisian established by the state that has an internet
website, the follawing provisions shall apply:
(R) An online posting of an agenda shall be posted on the primary internet website home page of a city,
county, city and eounty, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state that
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is accessible through a prominent, direct link to the current agenda. The direet link to the agenda shall not
be in a contextuai menu; hawever, a link in addition ta the direct link to the agenda may b� aecessible
thraugh a contextual menu.
(B) An online posting of an agenda, including, but not limited to, an agenda posted in an integrated agenda
management platform, shall be posted in an open format that meets all of the foliowing requirements:
(i} Retrievable, downloadable, indexable, and eleetranically searchable by commonly used internet search
applications.
(ii} Platform independent and machine readable.
(iii} Available to the public free of charge and without any restrictian that would impede the reuse or
redistribution af the agenda.
(C) A legislative body of a city, county, city and eounty, special district, school distriet, or political
subdivision established by the state that has an infiernet website and an integrated agenda management
platform shall not be required to camply with subparagraph (A} if all of the fallowing are met:
(i} A direct link to the integrated agenda management platform shall be posted on the primary internet
website home page of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political
subdivision established by the state. The direct link to the integrated agenda management platform shaEl
not be in a cantextual menu. When a person clicks on the direet link to the integrated agenda
management platform, the direct link shall take the person directly to an internet website with the
agendas of the legislative body of a eity, caunty, city and county, special district, school district, or
palitical subdivisdan establish�d by the state.
(ii) The integrated agenda management platform may eontain the prior agendas af a legislative body af a
city, county, city and county, special district, school district, ar palitical subdivisian established by the
state for all meetings occurring on or after January 1, 2019.
(iii) The current agenda of the legislative body af a city, caunty, city and caunty, special district, school
district, or political subdivision estabiished by khe state shall be the first agenda available at the top of
the integrated agenda management platform.
(iv} All agendas posted in the integrated agenda management platforrn shall comply with the
requirements in clauses (i), (ii}, and (iii} af subparagraph (B}.
(D} The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply ta a political subdivision of a local agency that was
established by the legislative body af the city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or
political subdivision established by the state.
(E) For purpases of this paragraph, both of the following definitions apply:
(i) "Integrated agenda management platform" means an internet website of a city, eounty, city and county,
special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state dedicated to providing the
entirety of the agenda information for the legislative body of the city, county, city and eounty, special district,
school district, or political subdivisian established by the state to the public.
(2) "Legislative body°' means a Eegislative body that me�ks the definition of subdivision (a) of Section 54952.
(3) No action or discussion shall be undertaken on any item not appearing on the posted agenda, except that
members of a IegisEative body ar its staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by
persons exercising their public testimpny rights under Section 54954.3. In addition, on their own initiative or in
response to questions posed by the public, a member af a legislative body or its staff may ask a questian Por
clarification, make a brief announeement, or make a brief report on their awn activities. Furthermore, a
member of a legislative body, ar the body itself, subject to rules ar pracedures of the legislative body, may
provide a rePerence to staff or other resources for faetual inPormation, request staff to report back to the bady
at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter, or take action to direct staft to place a matter of business on
a future agenda.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the legislative bady may take action on items of business not appearing on
the pasted agenda under any of the canditions stated below. Prior ta discussing any item pursuant to this
subdivisiono the legislative bady shall publicly identify the item.
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(1) Upan a determination by a majarity vote of the legislative body that an emergency situation exists, as
defined in Section 54956.5.
(2) Upan a determination by a two-thirds vote of the members af the legislative body present at the meeting,
ar, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those members present, that there
is a need to take immediate actian and that the need far action came ta the attention of the lacal agency
subsequent ta the agenda being posted as specified in subdivision (a).
(3) The item was posted pursuant ta subdivision (a) for a prior meeting of the legislative body occurring not
more than five calendar days prior to the date actian is takee� on the item, and at the prior meeting the item
was continued to the meeting at which action is being kaken.
(c) This section is necessary to implement and reasonably within the scope of paragraph (1) of subdivisian (b) of
Section 3 of Article I af the California Constitution.
(d) Far purposes of subdivision (a), the requirement that the agenda be posted on the lacal agency's internet
website, if the local agency has one, shall anly apply ta a legislative bady that meets either of the following
standards:
(1) A legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (a) of Section 54952.
(2) A legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (b} of Sectian 54952, if the members of the
legislative body are compensated far their appearance, and if one or more of the members of the legislative
body are also members af a legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (a) of Section 54952.
SE�. 17. Sectian 54954.3 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54954.3. (a) (1) Every agenda for regular meetings shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to
directly address the legislative bady on any item of interest to the public, before or during the legislative body's
consideration of the item, that is within the subject matter jurisdictian af the legislative body, pravided that no
actian shall be taken on any item nat appearing on the agenda unEess the action is otherwise authorized by
subdivisian (b) of Section 54954.2.
(2) (A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the agenda need not provide an opportunity for members of the pubiic
to address the legislative body an any item that has already been considered by a committee, composed
exclusively af inembers of the legislative body, at a public meeting wherein all interested members of the
public were affarded the oppartunity to address the committee an the item, befare ar during the committee's
consideratian of the item.
(B} Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if any of the following conditions are met:
(i) The item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the item, as determined by the
legislative body.
(ii) When considering the item, a quarum of the committ2e members did not participate fram a singular
physical loeation, that was clearly identiPied on the agenda, open to the public, and situated within the
baundaries af the territory ouer which the local agency exercises jurisdictian.
(iii) The cammittee has primary subject matter jurisdictian, as defined by the charter, an ordinance, a
resolution, or any formal action of the legislative body that created the subsidiary body, that focuses on
elections, budgets, poiice oversight, privacy, removing from, ar restricting access to, materials available
in public libraries, or taxes ar related spending proposals. This clause shall not apply to an item if the
local agency has adapted a law applicable to the meeting of the committee at which the item that was
considered prohibits the cammittee from placing a limit on the total amount of time far public comment
on the item.
(3) Every notice for a special meeting shall provide an opportunity for members af the public to directly
address the legislative body concerning any item that has been described in the notice for the meeting before
or during consideration of that item.
(b) (1) The Eegislative body of a lacal agency may adopt reasonable regulations to ensure that the intent of
subdivisian (a) is carried out, including, but not limited to, regulations limiting the total amount of time allocated
far public teskimany on particular issues and far each individual speaker.
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(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1}, when the legislative body of a local agency limits time for public comment,
the legislative body of a lacal agency shall provide at least twice the allatted time to a member of the pubiie
who utilizes a translator ta ensure that nan-English speakers receive the same opportunity to directly address
the legislative body of a local agency.
(3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply if the legislative body af a lacal agency utilizes simultaneous translatian
equipment in a manner that allows the legislative body of a loeal agency to hear the translated public
testimony simultaneously.
(c) The legislative body of a local agency shall nok prohibit public criticism af the policies, pracedures, programs,
or services of the agency, ar af the acts or omissions of the legislative bady. Nothing in this subdivision shall
confer any privilege or protection for expression beyond that otherwise provided by law.
�EC. 1�. Sectian 54956 of the Government Code is amended ta read:
54956. (a) (1) A special meeting may be called at any teme by the presiding officer of the legislative body of a
local agency, or by a majarity of the members of the legislative body, by delivering written notic� to each
member of the legislative body and to each loca( newspaper of general circulatian and radio or television station
requesting notice in writing and posting a notice on the local agency's internet website, if the lacal agency has
ane. The natice shall be delivered personally or by any other means and shall be received at least 24 hours
before th� time af the meeting as specified in the notice. The cal! and notice shall specify the time and place of
the special meeting and the business to be transacted ar discussed. No other business shall be considered at
these meetings by the legislative body. The written natice may be dispensed with as to any member who at or
prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the clerk or secretary of the legislative bady a written waiver of
notice. The waiver may be given by telephone ar electronie mail. The writter� notice may also be dispensed writh
as to any member who is actually present at fihe meeting at the time it convenes.
(2) The call and notice shall be posted at least 24 hours priar to the special meeting in a location that is freely
accessible ta members of the public.
(b} Notwithstanding any ather law, a legislative body shall not call a special meeting regarding the salaries,
salary schedules, or campensation paid in the form af fringe benefits, of the legislative body or of a lacal agency
executive, as defined in subdivision (d) of Sectian 3511.1. However, this subdivision does not apply to a local
agency calEing a special meeting to discuss the local agency°s budget.
G. 1 . Sectian 54956.5 of the Government Code is amended ta read:
54956.5. (a} For purposes of this section, "emergency situation"means both of the follawing:
(1) An emergency, which shall be defined as a work stoppage, crippling activity, or other activity that severely
impairs public health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the members af the legislative body.
(Z) A dire emergency, which shall be defined as a crippling disaster, mass destructionP terrorist act, or
threatened terrorist activity that poses peril so immediate and significant that requiring a legislative body to
pravide one-hour natice be�are holding an emergency meeting under this section may endanger the public
health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority af the members of the legislative bady.
(b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2}, in the case of an emergency situation invalving matters upon which prompt
act€on is necessary due to the disruption or threatened disruption of public facilities, a legislative body may hold
an emergency meeting without complying with either the 24-hour notice requirement or the �4-hour pasting
requirement af Section 54956 or bath of the natice and posting requirements.
(2) Each local newspaper of general cireulation and radio or television station that has requesCed notice of
special meetings pursuant to Sectian 54956 shall be notified by the presiding officer af the legislative body, or
designee thereaf, ane hour prior ta the ernergency meeting, or, in the case of a dire emergency, at or near the
time that the presiding afficer or designee notifies the members af the legislative body aP the errtergency
meeting.
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the natice required by this paragraph shall be given by
telephone and all telephone numbers provided in the mast recent request of a newspaper ar station for
natification of special meetings shall be exhausted. In the event that telephone seruices are not Punctioning,
th� notice requirements of this paragraph shall be deemed waived, and the legislative bady, or designee of
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the legislative body, shall notify those newspapers, radia statians, or televisian stations of the fact of the
holding of the emergency meeting, the purpase of the meeting, and any action taken at the meeting as
soon after the meeting as possible.
(B) For an emergency meeting held pursuant ta this section, the presiding afficer of the legislative body, or
designee thereaf, may send the notifications required by this paragraph by email instead af by telephone, as
pravided in subparagraph (A), ta a(I local newspapers of generaE circulation, and radio or television stations,
that have requested those notiPications by email, and all email addresses provided by representatives of
thase newspapers or stations shall be exhausted. In the event that internet services and telephone services
are nat functioning, the natice requirements of this paragraph shall be deemed waiered, and the legislative
body, or designee of the legislative body, shall notify those newspapers, radio stations, ar television stations
of the fact af the holding af the emergency meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and any action taken at
the meeting as soon after the meeting as passible.
(c) During a meeting held pursuant ta this section, the legislative bady may meet in closed sessian pursuant to
Section 54957 if agreed to by a twa-thirds vote af the members of the legislative body present, or, if less than
two-thirds of the members are present, by a unanimous vate of the members present.
(d) All special meeting requirements, as prescribed in Section 54956 shall be applicable to a meeting called
pursuant to this section, with the exception of the 24-hour notice requirement.
(e) The minutes of a meeting called pursuant to this section, a list of persons who the presiding afPicer of the
legislative body, ar designee of the legislative body, notified or attempted to notify, a copy of the rallcall vate,
and any aetions takee� at the meeting shall be posted for a minimum af 10 days in a public place as saan after
the meeting as possible.
C. 2 . Sectian 54957.6 of the Government Cade is amended to read:
54957.6. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisian of Eaw, a legislative bady of a local agency may hold closed
sessions with the lacal agency's designated representatives regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or
compensation paid in the form of fringe b�nefits af its represented and unrepresented employees, and, for
represented employees, any other matter within the statutorily pravided scope of representation, subject to all of
the follawing conditions:
(1) Prior to the closed session, the legislative body af the local agency shall hold an open and public sessian in
which it identiPies its designated representatives.
(2) The closed session shall be for th� purpose of reviewing its position and instructing the local agency's
designated representatives.
(3) The closed session may take pEace prior to and during consultakions and discussions with representatives of
employee organizations and unrepresented employees.
(4) Any dosed session with the lacal agency's designated representative regarding the salaries, salary
schedules, or campensation paid in khe farm of fringe benefits may include discussion of an agency`s available
funds and funding priorities, but only insafar as these discussions relate to praviding instructions to the local
agency's designated representative,
(5) The closed session shall not include final action on the proposed compensation of one ar more
unrepresented employees.
(6} For the purpases enumerated in this section, a legislative body of a lacal agency may also meet with a
state conciliator who has intervened in the proceedings.
(b} For the purposes of this sectian, the term `�employee" shall include an officer or an independent contractor
who functions as an officer or an employ2e, but shall not include any elected official, member of a legislative
body, or other independent contractars.
5��. 21. Sectian 54957.9 of the Government Cade is amended to read:
54957.9. In the event that any meeting is willfully interrupted by a group or groups of persons so as to render the
orderly conduct of th� meeting unfeasible and arder cannot be restored by the removal of individuals who are
willfully interrupting the meeking, the members of the legislative body conducting the meeting may order the
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meeting room cleared and cc�ntinue in session. Only matters appearing an the agenda may be cansidered in such
a session. Representatives of the press or other news media, except those participating in the disturbance, shaEl
be allowed to attend any session he(d pursuant to this section. Nothing in this sectian shall prohibit the
legislative bady from establishing a procedure for readmitting an individual or individuals not responsible for
willfully disturbing the orderly canduct of the meeting.
. 22. Section 54957.95 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54957.95. (a) (1} In addition ta authority exercised pursuant ta Sections 54954.3 and 54957.9, the presiding
member of the legislative body conducting a meeting ar their designee may remove, or cause the removal of, an
individual for disrupting the meeting, including any teleconferenced meeting.
(2} Prior to remaving an individual, the presiding member ar their designee sh�El warn the individual that their
behavior is disrupting the rr�eeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal.
The presiding member or their designee may then remove the individual ifi they do not promptly cease their
disruptive behaviar. This paragraph daes not appEy to any behavior described in subparagraph (�) of paragraph
(1) of subdivision (b}.
(b} Rs used in this section;
(1) "Disrupting" means engaging in behavior during a meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts,
disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, bu� is not limited to,
ane af the follawing:
(A} A failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by a legislative body pursuan� to
Section 54954.3 ar any other law.
(B) Engaging in behaviar that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force.
(2) "True threat of foree" means a threat that has sufficient indicia of intent and seriousness, khat a reasonable
abserver would perceive it to be an actuai threat to use force by the person making the threat.
SE�. 23. Section 54957.96 is added to the Government Cade, to read:
54957.96. (a) The existing authority of a legislative body ar its presiding officer to remove or limit participation by
persons wha engage in behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, ar renders infeasible the orderly
conduct of the meeting, including existing limitakians upon that authority, shall apply to members of the public
participating in a meeting via a twa-way telephonic service or a twa-way audiovisual platform.
(b} For purposes of khis section, the following definitions apply:
(1} "Two-way audiovisual platform" means an onEine platform that provides participants with the ability to
participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a twa-way telephonic service. A �wo-way
audiavisual platfarm may be structured to disable the use of video for the public participants.
(2) "Two-way telephonic service" means a telephon� service that does not require internet access and allows
participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate.
SEC. 24. The I�egislature �inds and declares that Section 4 of this act, which amends Section 54953 of, Section 5
af this act, which adds Sectian 54953.4 to, Sections & to 15, inelusive, af this act, which add Sections 54953.8 to
54953.8.7, respectively, to, Section 19 of this act, whieh amends Section 549S6.S af, Section 22 of this act,
which amends Section 54957.95 of, and Section Z3 af this act, which adds Section 54957.96 to, the C�overnment
Code, impose a limitation on the public°s right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public
officials and agencies within the meaning oP Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that
constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the fallawing findings to demonstrate the interest pratected by
this limitation and the n2ed for protecting that interest:
(a) This act is necessary to provide oppartunities far public participation in meetings of specified public agencies
and to pramote the recruitment and retention of inembers af those agencies.
(b) This act is necessary to ensure minimum standards for public participation and notice requirements allowing
for greater public participatian in meetings.
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(c) This act is necessary ta madernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to reflect recent technological changes that can
promote greater public access ta local officials.
(d) The exclusively virtual nature of the California Online Community College presents unique barriers to the
requirements for an in-person quarum, a physical lacation for public participation, and certain accommodations.
Participating students of the anline cammunity college came from all across the state and necessitating travel far
these requirements would pose a significant and exclusionary barrier.
5��. 25. The E�egislature finds and declares that Sections 1 and 2 of this act, which amend and repeal Section
54952.2, respectively, of, Section 3 of this act, which amends Section 54952.7 af, Section 4 of this act, which
am�nds Sectian 54953 of, Section 5 of this act, which adds Sectian 54953.4 ko, Section 6 of this act, which
amends Section 54953.5 of, Section 7 of this act, which amends Sectian 54953.7 of, Sections 8 to 1S, inclusive,
of this act, which add Seetions 54953.8 to 54953.8.7, respectively, to, Section 16 of this act, which amends
Section 54954.2 of, Section 17 of this act, which amends Sectian 54954.3 of, Section 18 of this act, which
amends Section 54956 af, Section 19 af this act, which arrrends Section 54956.5 of, Section 20 of this act, which
amends Section 54957.6 of, Section 21 of this act, which amends Section 54957.9 af, Section 22 of this act,
which amends Section 54957.95 of, and Sectian 23 af this act, which adds Section 54957.96 to, the Gavernment
Code, furkher, within the meaning of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California
Constitution, the purposes of that constitutional section as it relates ta the right of public access to the meetings
af local public bodies ar the writings af local public afficials and local agencies. Pursuant to paragraph (7} of
subdivision (b) of Sectian 3 of Article I of the �alifornia Canstitution, the Legislature makes the following
findings:
(a} This act is necessary ta provide apportunities for public participation in meetings of specified public agencies
and ta pramote the recruitment and retention of inembers af thase agencies.
(b) This act is necessary to ensure minimum standards for public participatian and notice requirements allawing
for grea�er public parkicipation in m�etings.
(c) This act is necessary to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to reflect reeent technological changes that can
promate greater public access to Icacal officials.
(d} The exclusively virtual nature of the California C1nEine Community College presents unique barriers to �he
requirements for an in-person quorum, a physical location for public participation, and certain accommodations.
Participating students of the online community college come from all across the state and necessitating travel for
these requir�ments would pose a significant and exclusianary barrier.
SEC. 26. The Legislature finds and declares that adequate public access to meetings is a matter of statewide
concern and €s not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 af Article Xi of the California Constitution.
Therefore, this bill would apply to all cities, including charker cities.
SEC. 27. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 af Article XIII B of the Galifarnia
Constitutian because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or schoal district under this act would
result from a legislative mandate that is within the scope of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of
Artiele I of the CaEifornia Constitution.
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