Pat Burns | Mayor
Office: (714) 536 – 5553 | 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | www.huntingtonbeachca.gov August 20, 2025
The Honorable Buffy Wicks
Chair, Assembly Appropriations Committee
1021 O Street, Suite 8220
Sacramento, CA 95814
Subject - Opposition to SB 707: open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements
Dear Chair Wicks,
On behalf of the City of Huntington Beach, I write in respectful opposition to Senate Bill 707. While we share and appreciate the intent to expand transparency and encourage public participation in local government, we have concerns that several provisions in the bill may result in unintended operational and fiscal challenges.
SB 707 mandates real-time remote public comment via two-way telephonic or audiovisual platforms for all meetings of "eligible legislative bodies." While we recognize the importance of public participation , this requirement was implemented as a part of the Covid-19 state of emergency via AB 361. In December 2022, the Huntington Beach City Coun cil voted to resume in person meetin gs. Since the reversion to in-person only meetings, the City of Huntington Beach has not had any issues with public participation.
The bill's language translation requirements also pr esent implementation questions. SB 707 requires agendas to be translated into all "applicable languages," defined as those spoken by 20% or more of the local population with limited English proficiency. This could require the translation of materials that may never be requested or used, resulting in significant costs, an administrative burden, and the diversion of resources from other critical needs within the agency.
SB 707 is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, providing the City with only a few months to implement significant operational changes. If the bill proceeds, we respectfully request that the implementation date be delayed to January 1 , 2027, to allow adequate time for thoughtful planning, budgeting, and compliance.
We remain committed to the goals of transparency and public engagement and hope to continue working collaboratively toward practical, effective improvements to public meeting processes. However, for the reasons outlined above, the City of Huntington Beach respectfully opposes SB 707.
Sincerely,
Pat Burns
Mayor
CC: Senator Jesse Arreguín
Senator Tony Strickland
Assemblymember Diane Dixon
Assemblymember Tri Ta