MEETING DATE:
MAY 26, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NOS. 2026-9602 & 2026-9603 - BROWN ACT UPDATES (SB 707) MEETING POLICIES REGARDING PROTOCOLS INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTION AND OUTREACH POLICIES
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
1. ADOPT resolution regarding Brown Act updates including meeting policies and procedures regarding technology disruptions in compliance with Government Code ? 54953.4.
2. ADOPT resolution related to "reasonable efforts" for outreach to encourage participation in City Council meetings under Government Code ? 54953.4.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Executive Summary
The Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code ? 54950 et seq.) establishes requirements for open meetings of local legislative bodies. SB 707 updates provisions related to teleconferencing, including requirements for remote participation, accessibility, and procedures for addressing disruptions to meeting access for City Council meetings.
Among other requirements, SB 707 requires the City Council to adopt a technology disruption policy and to determine what constitutes reasonable efforts for outreach to encourage public participation in City Council meetings, particularly among underrepresented and non-English-speaking communities. These policies must be adopted by July 1, 2026.
Discussion
Senate Bill 707 (SB 707, 2025) updates teleconferencing and accessibility requirements under the Brown Act, including new provisions related to remote participation and public access to meetings. By July 1, 2026, legislative bodies must adopt policies addressing technology disruptions and defining reasonable efforts for outreach to encourage public participation, particularly among underrepresented and non-English-speaking communities.
Government Code ? 54953.4 requires the City Council to adopt, by July 1, 2026, a technology disruption policy. The policy must address procedures for responding to disruptions of telephonic or internet service during a mee...
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