need to meet the new legislative requirements by July 1, 2026, which would include:
• Providing the public with a way to attend meetings and comment remotely. Staff is currently defaulting to the ZOOM setup, unless directly differently. : Reasonably assist members of the public who wish to translate a public meeting Developing a policy for dealing with disruptions to telephonic or internet service. into any language or to receive an interpretation provided by another member of the public.
• Potentially translate meeting agendas into 'applicable languages' depending on the most recent American Community Survey if the language is spoken jointly by 20% or more of the City's population, providing that 20% or more of language speakers speaks English less than 'very well'.
• The City would need to take steps to encourage public participation in meetings, which includes:
• Accepting agenda requests via email and displaying a prominent weblink on the City Council's webpage
• Make reasonable efforts to involve groups that do not traditionally participate in meetings, and
• ...other general website alterations.
• The City must allow the public to post additional translations of the City Council agenda in the area where the City posts agendas. Meaning, the City will need to evaluate it's current cabinet at the entrance of the Civic Center to accommodate the change.
• All Council Members must be provided a copy of the Brown Act.
Staff has not evaluated all the changes yet from the from the legislation. Rather, this item is to inform the City Council on the upcoming mandates from the State. Staff will be returning to the City Council over the next 7 months to adopt required policies and to make formal recommendations.
RECOMMENDATION
This is an informational discussion on Senate Bill (SB) 707 and the dramatic overhaul of local goverment meeting requirements. It is recommended that the City Council review the materials and provide any input while Staff is working toward compliance, which ATTACHMENT #1
SB 707: Notable Provisions and Major Impacts
On Oct. 3, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 707 (Durazo), a dramatic overhaul of local government meeting requirements, into law. Although the bill incorporates language from Cal Cities' sponsored legislation and is aimed at improving transparency and public engagement, it also creates significant operational, fiscal, and legal challenges for cities. Among other provisions, SB 707 adds new remote public comment, translation, and outreach requirements, creates new exemptions from certain teleconferencing rules, and extends several sunsetting Brown Act laws.
Many of the bill's mandates apply unevenly across cities and will generate substantial new costs for audiovisual equipment, translation services, and staff time - all without reimbursement. Notably, the state itself remains exempt from many of the same requirements it is imposing on local governments.
Below is a summary of the bill. Cal Cities is also preparing a series of educational webinars about specific provisions in the bill and how to comply.
Note: SB 707 is nuanced and highly fact-specific. Moreover, many of the obligations imposed by the law will likely be difficult to implement. Ultimately, agencies should not assume that their current Brown Act protocols will satisfy all of SB 707's requirements.
This document does not constitute legal advice. For specific analysis, guidance on compliance, and impacts on your specific agency, please consult with your city attorney.
"Eligible Legislative Bodies" Defined
While SB 707 generally applies to all cities, certain portions only apply to newly coined "eligible legislative bodies," which include the following:
• A city council of a city with a population of 30,000 or more. • A city council of a city located in a county with a population of 600,000 or more.
Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible legislative bodies will need to meet additional requirements under the Brown Act, as described below.
Please refer to page four for general Brown Act changes.
Remote Public Comments
An eligible legislative body must provide the public with a way to attend meetings and comment via a "two-way telephonic" or "two-way audiovisual platform." 2 The bill describes a two-way telephonic service as a one "that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate." A two-way audiovisual platform is defined as an "online platform that provides participants with the ability to participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a two-way telephonic service."
Internet Service Interruptions
An eligible legislative body must adopt, at a noticed public meeting in open session (not on consent), a policy on disruptions to telephonic or internet service. The policy must include the following:
• If a disruption prevents public participation through two-way telephonic or audiovisual platforms, the body shall recess open session for at least one hour and attempt in "good faith" to restore service.
• The body may meet in closed session during the recess. • Open session may not reconvene until at least one hour has passed or service is restored, whichever comes first.
• If service is not restored, the body may resume only after adopting, by roll call vote, a finding that good faith efforts were made and that continuing the meeting outweighs the public's interest in remote access.
Reasonable Translation Assistance
An eligible legislative body shall "reasonably assist" members of the public who wish to translate a public meeting into any language or wish to receive an interpretation provided by another member of the public, so long as it does not disrupt the meeting.
An eligible legislative body shall publicize how to request assistance. Assistance may include any of the following, as determined by the eligible legislative body:
• Arranging space for one or more interpreters at the meeting location. • Allowing extra time during the meeting for interpretation to occur. • Ensuring participants may utilize their personal equipment or reasonably access facilities for participants to access commercially available interpretation services.
This section does not actually require an eligible legislative body to provide interpretation services itself. Nor is the eligible legislative body responsible for the content or accuracy of any interpretation facilitated, assisted with, or provided.
The bill does not define what "reasonable" means.
City-Provided Agenda Translations
The agenda for each meeting of an eligible legislative body shall be translated into all "applicable languages." Each translation shall include instructions in the applicable language describing how to join the meeting by the telephonic or internet-based service option, including any requirements for registering public comment. 3 The accessible internet webpage shall be translated into all applicable languages.
Each translation shall be accessible through a prominent direct link posted on the primary website home page of the eligible legislative body.
A translation made using a digital translation service shall satisfy the requirements. The bill expressly states that the agenda translation requirement does not apply to the entire agenda packet.
"Applicable Languages" Defined
For purposes of this bill, "applicable languages" means languages, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau's most recent American Community Survey, spoken jointly by 20% or more of the city's population, provided that 20% or more of the population that speaks that language speaks English less than "very well." For cities, the applicable population shall be determined pursuant to data from the U.S.
Census Bureau's most recent American Community Survey.
• For an eligible legislative body, the applicable population shall be the population of the city.
• If more than three languages meet the criteria, "applicable languages" shall mean the three languages that are spoken by the largest percentage of the population.
• An eligible legislative body may determine the applicable languages based upon a source other than the most recent American Community Survey if it makes a finding, based upon substantial evidence, that the other source provides equally or more reliable data for the territory over which the eligible legislative body exercises jurisdiction.
Local Outreach
An eligible legislative body must take the following steps to encourage public participation in meetings:
• Provide a system to electronically accept and fulfill agenda requests (via email or an agenda management platform), with a prominent link on the body's home page.
• Maintain a dedicated, accessible webpage for public meetings that includes or links to:
• A general explanation of the meeting process.
• Instructions for submitting oral (in-person or remote) or written public comment.
• A calendar, with the date, time, and location of each meeting. • Posted agendas.
• A link to this webpage from the body's home page.
• Make reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in meetings.
4 No legal action may be brought against the body for failing to provide information to a specific group.
Physical Public Posting Location
An eligible legislative body shall make available a physical location that is freely accessible to the public in reasonable proximity to the physical location where council agendas and translations are posted. Members of the public must be allowed to post additional translations of the council agenda in that location.
An eligible legislative body is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any translation provided pursuant to this subdivision.
The bill also states that no action shall be commenced or maintained against an eligible legislative body arising from the content, accuracy, posting, or removal of any translation provided by the eligible legislative body or posted by any person pursuant to this subdivision.
The following section is on general amendments to the Brown Act that are applicable to all cities, not only "eligible legislative bodies." Alternative Teleconferencing Rules
SB 707 extends the existing AB 2449 alternative teleconferencing provisions until Jan. 1, 2030. AB 2449 authorizes limited remote participation from undisclosed locations due to "just cause" and "emergency circumstances." As related to AB 2449, it also:
• Allows members with certain military service obligations that result in them being unable to attend in person to use this provision.
• Removes the requirement for the legislative body to approve each instance a member wants to participate remotely for "emergency circumstances," and applies the same rules for participating remotely for "just cause" to "emergency circumstances."
• Requires that the minutes for the meeting identify the specific provision that each member relied upon to participate remotely. This subdivision shall not be construed to require the member to disclose any medical diagnosis, disability, or any personal medical information that is otherwise exempt under existing law.
Additionally, the bill confirms that members of legislative bodies with physical or mental disabilities may participate remotely per the Americans with Disabilities Act and count towards any applicable in-person quorum requirements.
Subsidiary (Advisory) Bodies
Alternative teleconferencing is authorized for an "eligible subsidiary body," defined as one that:
5 • Serves exclusively in an advisory role.
• Cannot take final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, licenses, permits, entitlements, grants, or fund allocations.
• Does not have primary subject matter jurisdiction over elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, restricting access to library materials, taxes, or related spending proposals.
These bodies may include elected officials, non-elected officials, or both.
An eligible subsidiary body may request to present recommendations to its legislative body, which must hold a discussion at a regular meeting within 60 days (or the next regular meeting). This discussion cannot be on consent, but may be combined with the legislative body's subsequent findings for the next 12 months.
A legislative body may not act on recommendations until the meeting following the discussion.
To use teleconferencing pursuant to this section, the legislative body that established the eligible subsidiary body must make specific findings by majority vote. The legislative ody that created the eligible subsidiary body may prohibit the eligible subsidiary bod • from using teleconferencing pursuant to this section at any time.
Multijurisdictional Bodies Teleconferencing
Alternative teleconferencing for an eligible multijurisdictional body is authorized if a member participates remotely only when their location is more than 20 miles each way from the meeting location and the member receives no compensation other than reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses.
Neighborhood Councils Teleconferencing
An eligible neighborhood council may conduct a teleconference meeting if it complies with specific requirements.
Emergency Teleconferencing
Teleconferencing flexibility is expanded during state-declared emergencies to include local emergencies.
Social Media Usage
Existing law allows members to engage in separate conversations or communications utside of a meeting using social media for specified purposes, provided, among othe hings, that a majority of the members do not use the platform to discuss business of ‹ specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. This bill makes this exception indefinite.
6 Zoom Bombing
Existing law authorizes the presiding member of the legislative body conducting a meeting or their designee to remove an individual for disrupting the meeting. This bill specifies that these rules are also applicable to any teleconferenced meeting.
Open Meeting Compensation Discussions
Existing law requires legislative bodies to provide oral summaries of compensation recommendations for certain employees before taking final action; this bill adds department heads to that requirement.
Agendizing Items Previously Considered by Committee
Existing law specifies that an agenda is not required to provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the legislative body on any item that has already been considered by a committee composed of members of the legislative body.
This bill specifies that, with limited exception, such an opportunity must be provided when the item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the item; a quorum of the committee members did not originally participate; or the committee has primary subject matter jurisdiction on elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, removing from, or restricting access to, materials available in public libraries, taxes, or related spending proposals.
Copy of the Brown Act
An agency must provide a copy of the Brown Act to any person elected or appointed to serve as a member of a legislative body of the local agency.
This explainer is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.
Please contact your city attorney for guidance specific to your jurisdiction.
ATTACHMENT #2
Webinars for Cities Dec. 8, 2025
LEAGUE OF SB 707 Explained: Major
CALIFORNIA
CITIES
Changes to California's
Strengthening California Cities Open Meeting Law
through Advocacy and Education
Presenters:
Megan McClurg, Assistant City Attorney,
Oceanside
Tracy Noonan, City Attorney, Thousand Oaks
Johnnie Pina, Legislative Advocate, League of
California Cities
Speakers
• Tracy Noonan, City Attorney, Thousand Oaks
• Megan McClurg, Assistant City Attorney, Oceanside
• Johnnie Pina, Legislative Advocate, Cal Cities
• Thanks to Javan Rad, City Attorney, Ventura, Ruben Duran, Partner, BBK Law, Kurt Wendlenner, Assistant General Counsel, Cal Cities and the Cal Cities City Attorney Brown Act
Committee.
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education facalities y @calcities @ @calcities.org CALIFORNIA CITIES
Cal Cities Brown Act Committee
• Advance the purposes and goals of Cal Cities;
• Serve as a technical and advisory department to Cal Cities, including analysis of pending legislation and litigation; and • Advance the interest of cities by helping to improve, shape and develop municipal law through Cal Cities' Legal
Advocacy Program and legislative advocacy efforts.
• https://www.calcities.org/get-involved/professional-
departments/city-attorneys
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SB 707 Next Year
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The Brown Act Then & Now
California's First Open Meeting Law
Senate Bill No. 707
CHAPTER 327
peal Section 54952.2 of, to add Sections 54953.8, 54953.8.1. 54953.8.2 id 54957.96 to, and to add and repeal Sections 54953.4, 54953.8. 54953.8.4, 54953.85, 54953.8.6, and 54953.8.7 of, the Government Code. relating to local goverment.
herd tears if the sat of Colteria d Approved by Goneror Octeber 3, 3025. Filed with Secretad of State Oxzober 3. 2025J
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LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 707, Durazo. Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements.
(I) Existing law; the Ralph M. Brown Act, requires, with specified exceptions, that all meetings of a legislative body, as defined, of a local agency be open and public and that all persons be permitted to attend and participate.
Eligible Legislative Bodies
Requirements for "eligible legislative bodies" are effective July 1, 2026, sunset January 1, 2030 (Government Code Section 54953.4) Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education f @calcities y @calciles @acalcities.org CALIFORNIA CITIES
Eligible Legislative Bodies - Definition
An Eligible Legislative Body is:
• City Council of a City
• with a population of 30,000 or more
• in a county with a population of 600,000 or more
County Board of Supervisors of a County (or City and County) • with a population of 30,000 or more
Board of Directors of a Special District that has an internet website and one of the following:
• boundaries include entirety of county with a population of 600,000 or more, and special district has more than 200 full-time equivalent employees • over 1,000 full-time equivalent employees
• annual revenues of over $400 million and over 200 full-time equivalent employees
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Eligible Legislative Bodies - Remote Public Access
Remote Participation: Must allow members of the public to attend via two-way telephone or two-way audio-visual platform, "except if adequate telephonic or internet service is not operational at the meeting location" Policy: On or before July 1, 2026, must approve at open session, not on consent calendar, a policy regarding telephonic/internet disruptions that includes:
1) Procedures for recessing/reconvening if telephone/internet service is disrupted; and
2) Specifies efforts that the body "shall make" to attempt to restore the service
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Eligible Legislative Bodies - Telephone or Internet
Service Disruptions
If telephone/internet service disruption, must recess and make a good faith attempt to restore the service
• Body may meet in closed session during the disruption • Reconvene when service is restored or after one hour, whichever is earlier Upon reconvening open session, if telephone/internet service is not restored, body must make a finding by rollcall vote that:
1) good faith efforts to restore the telephone or internet service have been made in accordance with [the body's] policy; and
2) the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access
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Eligible Legislative Bodies - Remote Public Access
Requirements
• If two-way audiovisual platform provided, must publicly post and provide a call-in option, and activate "automatic captioning" if function is included in two-way audiovisual platform
• Bodies allowing for two-way telephonic service or two-way audiovisual platform must • Allow remote public comment, giving speakers the "same time allotment" as an in-person
Reasonably assist members of the public who wish to translate a public meeting into any language - could include
• Arranging space for interpreters at meeting location
• Allowing extra time for interpretation
Ensure participants may utilize their personal equipment or "reasonably access" facilities for participants to access "commercially available" interpretation services
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Eligible Legislative Bodies - Meetings Exempt from
Remote Public Access Requirements
Attendance at a judicial or administrative proceeding where the local agency is a party
Inspect real or personal property (if meeting limited to items "directly related" to that property)
Meet with elected or appointed officials of the United States or the State of California, "solely to discuss a legislative or regulatory issue affecting the local agency and over which the federal or state officials have jurisdiction"
Meet in or nearby a facility owned by the agency (if meeting limited to items "directly related" to the facility)
Meet in an emergency situation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.5
EAGUE C
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Eligible Legislative bodies - Local Outreach and
Website Posting
• Bodies must take the following actions to encourage residents to participate in public meetings (includes residents in underrepresented communities and non-English speaking communities) • Electronically accept requests for meeting agendas/documents through email or an integrated agenda management platform
• Must post information on how to make request through a "prominent direct link" on primary homepage
- Create and maintain webpage "dedicated to public meetings" that includes or links to:
• General explanation of public meeting process for the body • Explanation of public comment procedures, as well as procedures to provide "written public comment"
• Calendar of public meeting dates with "calendar listings" of date/time/location of meeting
• Agenda posted online
• Make reasonable efforts to invite groups "that do not traditionally participate in public meetings" to attend - statute gives bodies "broad discretion" in efforts made Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education f @calcities y @calcities @ @calcities.org CALIFORNIA CITIES
Eligible legislative bodies - City-Provided Agenda
Translations
• Meeting agenda and website translation requirements
• Requirements
- Must translate meeting agendas into all "applicable
languages" and post such translation, with instructions on how to join meeting remotely, including public comment
instructions
• Full agenda packet not required to be translated
• "Applicable languages" - languages spoken jointly by at least 20% of "applicable population" according to most
recent American Community Survey, provided that 20% or
more of the population speaks English less than "very well"
LEAGUE OF
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Eligible legislative bodies - Applicable Languages
• If more than three languages meet the criteria, "applicable languages shall mean the three languages that are spoken by the largest percentage of the population.
• An eligible legislative body may determine the applicable languages based upon a source other than the most recent American Community Survey if it makes a finding, based upon substantial evidence, that the other source provides equally or more reliable data for the territory over which the eligible legislative body exercises jurisdiction.
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Eligible legislative bodies - Physical Public Posting
Location
• Meeting agenda and website translation requirements (cont.) • Webpage encouraging residents to participate in public meetings nust be translated into all "applicable languages" and be posteo through "prominent direct link" on body's "primary internet website home page"
• Digital translation services permissible
• Body must make available a "physical location that is freely accessible to the public" which is "in reasonable proximity" where agenda and translations are posted to allow members of the public to post additional translations of agenda
• Body not responsible for content/accuracy of public's additional translations posted
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General amendments to
the Brown Act
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education f @calcities y @calcities @ @calcities.org SB 707 - Social Media use
• Makes permanent AB 992 - public officials use of social media.
EAGUE O
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SB 707 - Copy of the Brown Act
• Local agency must give a copy of the Brown Act to every elected/appointed member of a legislative body of the local agency.
AGUE
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education ALIFORNI CITIES
SB 707 - ADA Access
• Codifies July 2024 California Attorney General Opinion re: ADA access •Allows remote participation as reasonable accommodation (and treats it as in-person attendance for quorum purposes) if both of the following are • Member participates through audio and video - except any member with a disability may participate only through audio (no video) if "a physical condition related to their disability results in a need to participate off camera"
• At the meeting, and before any action is taken, member discloses (a) whether any other individuals 18 or older are in the room at the remote location; and (b) the "general nature" of their relationship with the individuals
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SB 707 - Alternative Teleconferencing Rules
• SB 707 - Reorganized / recast teleconference rules - applicable to legislative bodies - Government Code Section 54953.8 (and subsections), sunsets January 1, 2030. • New/revised requirements if body holds non-traditional teleconference meeting • Must allow public to remotely hear and observe, and provide public comment by way of • Two-way audio-visual platform; or
• Two-way telephonic service and live webcasting
If disruption that prevents (a) observation through call-in or internet service; or (b) public comment (if within agency's control), body prohibited from taking action on agenda items until service is restored
• Must list in meetina minutes the identity of teleconferencina member of body and "specific orovision of law" allowing teleconferencing
Teleconferencing member must publicly disclose
• Whether any other individuals 18 years of age or older are in the remote location room; and
• Member's general relationship with those individuals
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SB 707 - Alternative Teleconferencing Rules
• Quorum required in single physical location
• Teleconferencing member must
• Notify of need to participate by "just cause" (seven categories in definition) - no vote required
• Participate through both audio and video
• Annual limits on teleconferencing
• Two meetings - if body regularly meets monthly or less • Five meetings - if body regularly meets twice per month • Seven meetings - if body regularly meets three or more times per month
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SB 707 - Subsidiary (Advisory) Bodies
• Teleconference meeting requirements for "eligible subsidiary bodies" • Definition of "eligible subsidiary body"
• Exclusively advisory
• No final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, license, permits, or any other entitlements, grants, or allocation of funds
• No primary jurisdiction that focuses on elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, public library material access, or taxes/related spending proposals
captor
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SB 707 - Subsidiary (Advisory) Bodies
• Teleconference meetings permitted where:
• Legislative body that established the "eligible subsidiary body" makes certain findings to allow the eligible subsidiary body to teleconference - and make findings every six months thereafter
• Legislative body that established eligible subsidiary body may prohibit teleconferencing at any time
• Physical meeting location where (a) members not remote are present; (b) public can attend; and (c) at least one staff present
• Meeting agenda posted at physical meeting location
• Teleconferencing members must be on camera, unless need to participate off camera due to physical or mental condition not covered by ADA reasonable accommodation • If teleconferencing member has lack of reliable broadband or internet, may join without video if it would remedy issue
• Announce reason for lack of video before turning off camera, if connectivity issue
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SB 707 - Other Alternative Teleconferencing
• Other bodies that may conduct teleconferenced meetings (following certain requirements)
• Health authorities
• Eligible neighborhood councils (Los Angeles neighborhood councils)
• Eligible community college student organizations
• Eligible multijurisdictional bodies (multijurisdictional boards, including Joint Powers Authorities - only if members drive 20+ miles one-way to meetings)
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SB 707 - "Committee exception" to public
comment requirement
• Existing law (Government Code 54954.3): body not required to allow for public comment on regular meeting agenda item if item was previously considered by a committee composed exclusively of members of the legislative body at a public meeting where the public could address the committee on the item, and item has not "substantially changed"
• SB 707 adds additional requirements:
• When considering the item, a quorum of the committee members must have participated from a singular physical location that was clearly identified on the agenda, open to the public, and within the boundaries of the territory over which the body exercises jurisdiction
• Committee cannot have primary subject matter jurisdiction over elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, removing or restricting access to library materials, or taxes or related spending proposals (unless the committee was prohibited by law from placing a limit on the time for public comment on the item
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SB 707 - Emergency Teleconferencing
• Existing law: allows teleconferencing during a proclaimed state of emergency if meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health and safety of attendees. State of emergency defined as one declared by the governor.
• SB 707: teleconferencing authorization is extended to a locally declared state of emergency (including a local health
emergencyl
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SB 707 - Zoom Bombing
• Existing law authorizes the presiding member of the legislative body conducting a meeting or their designee to limit or remove an individual disrupting the meeting
• This bill specifies that these rules are also applicable to any teleconferenced meeting
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Considerations for 2026
(1 of 2)
• Before January 1, 2026
• Provide a copy of the Brown Act to members of city-created legislative bodies
• Provide bodies with a "list" of meeting locations "available for use by the legislative bodies to conduct their meetings" - Evaluate staffing and technology resources to confirm compliance with legal requirements
- For "eligible subsidiary bodies" that could/should
teleconference their meetings, ensure "formal action" is taken and calendar six-month come-ups to renew the action
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Considerations for 2026
(2 of 2)
• Before July 1, 2026 - for "eligible legislative bodies" (City Councils in cities, if population threshold met)
• Otter observation of/public comment at meeting through two-way telephone service or two-way audio-visual service Outreach to encourage participation in public meetings
Webpage development that explains public meeting process and public comment procedures (translated in "all
applicable languages")
• Post agendas translated in "all applicable languages" • Identify "physical location" for agenda translations
• Adopt disruption policy re: connectivity issues
LEAGUE OF
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LEAGUE OF
CALIFORNIA
CITIES
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through Advocacy and Education @calcities #@calcities.org