TO: CITY OF CUPERTINO
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
FROM: ANTHONY, JASON, AND PAUL GONSALVES
SUBJECT: CONSIDER ADOPTING A POSITION ON AB 1944 (LEE AND C.
GARCIA) PUBLIC MEETINGS
DATE: MARCH 24, 2022
Bill Information:
The official text of AB 1944 can be found here1:
Summary:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Newsom originally issued a series of Executive Orders to expand public access to meetings of local agencies by suspending some of the restrictions on teleconferencing. The expiration of the Executive Orders immediately gave way to the new AB 361 (Chapter 165, statutes of 2021), essentially allowing for the teleconference provisions detailed in the Executive Orders to continue during a period of emergency declaration. However, once an emergency declaration has ended, local agencies will again be required to comply with the provisions of the previous law.
Existing law, until January 1, 2024, authorizes a local agency to use teleconferencing without complying with those specified teleconferencing requirements in specified circumstances when a declared state of emergency is in effect, or in other situations related to public health.
AB 1944 would require local governments that elect to offer the option of virtual participation in public meetings to provide a video stream to the public and the option for public remote participation. In addition, the bill allows local governmental bodies that meet remotely to waive a provision of the Brown Act that requires public officials to disclose their private address if they intend to participate in meetings virtually. 1 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1944 Support
Since AB 1944 has not yet been set for hearing, an official list of supporters is not yet available.
Opposition
Since AB 1944 has not yet been set for hearing, an official list of opponents is not yet available.
Status:
AB 1944 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Local Government.
Legislative Platform:
This bill falls under Cupertino’s 2022 Legislative Platform in the Government Transparency Section pages 5-6, Item #1 “The City supports government transparency, public access to required meetings and records, and legislation that facilitates these principles while still allowing for necessary municipal operations and services.” Recommended Action:
Adopt a support position on AB 1944 and authorize the Mayor to send letters to the state legislature.