• Form 460: Candidates who have raised/spent $2,000 or more file Form 460. The Form 410 (Statement of Organization) must also be filed once $2,000 or more has been raised/spent.
• Form 470: Candidates who do not raise or spend $2,000 or more (or anticipate raising or spending $2,000 or more) in 2026 and do not have an open committee may file Form 470 on or before September 24, 2026. If the candidate raises or spends $2,000 or more, later during the calendar year, a Form 470 Supplement and a Form 410 must be filed.
• Independent Expenditures: Committees making independent expenditures totaling $1,000 or more to support or oppose other candidates or ballot measures also file:
o Form 496: This form is due within 24 hours if made in the 90-day, 24-hour reporting period of the candidate’s or measure’s election. Refer to the applicable filing schedule. Form 496 is filed with the filing officer in the jurisdiction of the affected candidate or measure. o Form 462: This verification form must be e-mailed to the FPPC within 10 days. • After the Election: Reporting requirements will depend on whether the candidate is successful and whether a campaign committee is open. See Campaign Disclosure Manual 2 for additional information.
• Public Documents: All statements and reports are public documents. • Resources: Campaign manuals and other instructional materials are available on the Campaign Rules page. Or, visit www.fppc.ca.gov > Learn > Campaign Rules. Refer to the FPPC video tutorial for candidates and treasurers for basic information for candidates and committees.
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TITLE: Senate Bill 707 Brown Act Updates: Teleconferencing, Remote Public Access, and Language Requirements Effective July 1, 2026
MEETING DATE: April 8, 2026
PREPARED BY: Margaret Wimberly, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council receive this information report on Senate Bill 707 Brown Act Updates.
BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 707 (Stats. 2025, ch. 327), signed into law on October 3, 2025, updates the Ralph M. Brown Act (Gov. Code § 54950 et seq.), which governs public access to meetings of local legislative bodies.
Beginning in 2021, the Legislature adopted revised teleconferencing standards during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Assembly Bill 2449 (2022), which allowed members of a legislative body to participate in meetings remotely under defined circumstances. As those provisions approached expiration, the Legislature adopted SB 707 to update and expand the Brown Act. The law expands public participation, strengthens language access, and makes several provisions permanent.
SB 707 takes effect in two phases. Provisions applicable to all local agencies took effect January 1, 2026.
Additional requirements for “eligible legislative bodies” take effect July 1, 2026. .
DISCUSSION
This report summarizes key requirements and outlines staff actions to ensure compliance.
Section 1. Because Mountain House is located in San Joaquin County, which has a population exceeding 600,000, the City Council qualifies as an “eligible legislative body” and is subject to the following requirements.
1.a Social Media Rules Made Permanent
The Brown Act allows members of a legislative body to use social media to communicate with constituents regarding City business, provided that a majority of members do not use social media to discuss City business amongst themselves. Individual Council Members may not respond to, Item 9.3
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like, share, or otherwise react to any social media post regarding City business made by another Council Member.
Action by staff:
This provision was previously set to expire on January 1, 2026; SB 707 makes it permanent. The City's existing Electronic Communications Policy and City Council Policies and Procedures already addresses this requirement
1.b Oral Summary Report Required Before Acting on Department Head Compensation Previously, the Brown Act required an oral summary report before taking final action on the compensation of a local agency executive. SB 707 expands this requirement to also cover department heads and similar administrative officers. Before the Council takes final action on compensation for such positions, an oral summary of the recommendation must be presented in open session. [Gov. Code § 54953]
Action by staff:
Staff will add this information to staff presentations when presented to Council.
1.c Brown Act Copies Required for Newly Elected or Appointed Members SB 707 now mandates that the City provide a copy of the Brown Act to any person elected or appointed to a legislative body. Staff will establish a practice to ensure every newly seated Council Member receives a copy at the time of their appointment or election. [Gov. Code § 54952.7]. City Attorney John Bakker provided each Council Member with a bound copy of the Brown Act.
Action by staff:
The City Attorney has provided current Councilmembers with a copy of the Brown Act. Staff will continue this practice for all future members
1.d Remote Participation by Councilmembers Rules Made Permanent and Expanded Under the Brown Act, a Council Member may participate in a public meeting remotely under "just cause" or "emergency circumstances." SB 707 makes these provisions permanent (they were previously set to expire January 1, 2026) and expands the qualifying reasons, which include:
• A physical or family medical emergency
• A family childcare or caregiving need;
• A contagious illness;
• A need related to a physical or mental disability not otherwise accommodated; • Travel while on official City business;
• A need to protect an immune-compromised family member; or • A military service obligation requiring the member to be more than 50 miles outside the jurisdiction.
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SB 707 also consolidates the prior "just cause" and "emergency circumstances" categories into a single framework, eliminating the prior requirement to obtain full Council approval when a member requests remote participation due to a physical or family medical emergency. Members participating remotely are not required to disclose their physical location on the agenda.
The number of permitted remote appearances is limited based on how frequently the body meets. For the City Council, which meets twice per month, members may participate remotely up to five (5) times per year under these provisions. [Gov. Code § 54953.8.3] Action by staff:
Staff will track remote participation by Council Members under this provision to ensure annual limits are not exceeded.
1.e Public Recording of Meetings
SB 707 revises existing language to explicitly allow any member of the public to utilize any recording device to record a City Council meeting. [Gov. Code § 54953.5] Action by staff:
Staff will update agenda language to alert the public on this issue.
1.f Removal of Disruptive Virtual Attendees
SB 707 authorizes removal of virtual attendees who cause a disruption during a meeting, consistent with existing in-person removal authority under the Brown Act. The City must provide a warning before removing a virtual attendee, unless the behavior constitutes use of force or a true threat of force.
Action by staff:
Staff will prepare a procedure prior to the implementation of virtual meetings and will include this in the Rosenberg Rules of Order Training session.
SECTION 2: CHANGES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026 (ELIGIBLE LEGISLATIVE BODIES) The following requirements apply specifically to "eligible legislative bodies" including the Mountain House City Council and must be met by July 1, 2026. They do not apply to subsidiary bodies, like city commissions.
These provisions sunset January 1, 2030, unless extended by the Legislature.
The City’s agenda management system provider has indicated that system updates are in progress to support compliance with these requirements.
2.a Mandatory Hybrid Meetings - Remote Public Access Required Beginning July 1, 2026, the City Council must provide the public with the ability to attend every Council meeting either in person or remotely via a two-way telephonic or audiovisual platform (such as Zoom). If an audiovisual platform is used, the City must also offer a telephone call-in option and enable automatic captioning if that functionality is available on the platform. [Gov. Code § 54953.4] Item 9.3
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Action by staff:
Staff will review procedures for use of for virtual meeting platform for attendance by the public and refine procedures for remote public comment. Staff is also evaluating whether any upgrades to Council Chambers audiovisual equipment are needed to support reliable hybrid meeting delivery.
2.b Required Policy on Meeting Disruptions (Must Be Adopted Before July 1, 2026) Prior to July 1, 2026, the City Council must adopt, at a publicly noticed meeting on the regular agenda, a written policy addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet service during meetings.
The policy must “address the procedures for recessing and reconvening a meeting in the event of disruption and the efforts that the eligible legislative body shall make to attempt to restore the service.” If, despite good faith efforts, the service cannot be restored, the City Council can reconvene, after no less than one hour, if it finds that good faith efforts to restore service have been made and that “the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access.”.
Action by staff:
Staff will develop a proposed Meeting Disruption Policy and return to the Council for adoption at a future noticed public meeting prior to July 1, 2026.
2.c Agenda Translation Requirements
From July 1, 2026 through January 1, 2030, eligible legislative bodies must translate meeting agendas into any "applicable language" in the jurisdiction. Applicable language is defined as a language spoken by 20% or more of the local population where that same population also speaks English less than "very well," as measured by the most recent U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. [Gov. Code § 54953.4(c)]
Action by staff:
No Action needed. The City Attorney reviewed the American Community Survey data for Mountain House and has determined no applicable language thresholds have been met within the City.
2.d Assistance with Public Interpretation Services
The City is required to reasonably assist any member of the public who wishes to translate or interpret a public meeting for other attendees. Reasonable assistance may include arranging space for an interpreter at the meeting, allowing extra time during the meeting for interpretation, or ensuring access to commercially available interpretation services.
Action by staff:
Staff notes that the City's existing practices already support this requirement, when requested.
Additional time is allowed during public comment should translation be needed during that time. a. Local Outreach and Digital Accessibility
SB 707 requires the City to make reasonable efforts to encourage participation by community members who do not traditionally attend public meetings. Specifically, the City must:
a. Maintain a system for electronically accepting and fulfilling requests for meeting agendas and related documents (via email or an agenda management platform); b. Maintain an accessible, dedicated public meetings webpage providing information about how to attend and participate in Council meetings; and
c. Make reasonable efforts to invite non-traditional participants, including ethnic and language-specific media organizations serving the City or region, and civil rights, civic engagement, neighborhood, and community-based organizations, particularly those Item 9.3
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serving multilingual or historically underrepresented communities. [Gov. Code § 54953.4(3)(C)]
Action by staff:
Staff will inventory current practices against these requirements and identify any gaps to be addressed prior to July 1, 2026. The City’s agenda management system meets section B, and staff will create a subscription database for agenda distribution.
FISCAL IMPACT
SB 707 is an unfunded state mandate. The full cost of compliance has not yet been determined; however, anticipated costs include:
• Alteration or expansion of Council Chambers audiovisual and teleconferencing equipment; • Upgrades to agenda management software to allow for subscription to posted agendas, and other features that would assist in SB 707 compliance;
• Ongoing staff time for compliance administration, meeting facilitation, and periodic reauthorization requirements.
Staff will provide a more detailed fiscal estimate once equipment needs and translation obligations have been fully assessed.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Not applicable.
CEQA
Not applicable.
ACTION FOLLOWING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL
Staff is actively working to ensure Mountain House meets all SB 707 and related requirements prior to the July 1, 2026, effective date. Key action items currently underway include:
• Assessing Council Chambers audiovisual and teleconferencing equipment for any upgrades needed to support reliable hybrid meetings;
• Drafting the required Meeting Disruption Policy for Council adoption at a noticed public meeting prior to July 1, 2026;
• Inventorying current outreach and electronic agenda distribution practices against SB 707 requirements; and
Staff will return to the Council with a proposed Meeting Disruption Policy and updated implementation timeline at a future meeting prior to July 1, 2026.
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ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Full Text of SB 707
Item 9.3
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Senate Bill No. 707
CHAPTER 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 Governor October 3, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State October 3, 2025.]
legislative counsel’s digest
SB 707, Durazo. Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements.
(1) 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.
This bill would, beginning July 1, 2026, and until January 1, 2030, require an eligible legislative body, as defined, to comply with additional meeting requirements, including that, except as specified, all open and public meetings include an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a 2-way telephonic service or a 2-way audiovisual platform, as defined, and that the eligible legislative body take specified actions to encourage residents to participate in public meetings, as specified. The bill would require an eligible legislative body, on or before July 1, 2026, to approve at a noticed public meeting in open session a policy regarding disruption of telephonic or internet services occurring during meetings subject to these provisions, as specified, and would require the eligible legislative body to comply with certain requirements relating to disruption, including for certain disruptions, recessing the open session 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 of 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 congregation of a majority of the members of a legislative body at the same time and location, as specified, to hear, discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. Until January 1, 2026, existing law excepts from the prohibition a member engaging in separate conversations or communications outside of
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a meeting with any other person using an internet-based social media platform for specified purposes, provided, among other things, that a majority of the members do not use the internet-based social media platform to discuss among themselves business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body.
This bill would make the above-described exception related to communications on an internet-based social media platform applicable indefinitely.
(3) Existing law requires a legislative body, prior to taking final action, to orally report a summary of a recommendation for a final action on specified forms of compensation 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 to taking final action on those specified forms of compensation for 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 post an agenda that meets specified requirements, including that the agenda contain a brief general description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed at the meeting, as specified.
This bill would, beginning July 1, 2026, and until July 1, 2030, require the agenda for each meeting of an eligible legislative body, as defined, to be translated into all applicable languages. The bill would define “applicable languages” to mean languages, according to data from the most recent American Community Survey, spoken jointly by 20% or more of the applicable population, as specified, provided that 20% or more of the population that speaks that language that in that city or 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 legislative body on any item of interest of the public, as specified. Existing law specifies that the 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, as specified, except if the item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the item, as determined by the legislative body.
This bill would add certain exceptions to the provision related to an item that has already been considered by a committee, including excepting committees whose primary subject matter jurisdiction focuses on elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, removing from, or restricting access to, materials available in public libraries, or taxes or related spending proposals, except as specified.
(5) Existing law authorizes a legislative body of a local agency to require a copy of the act to be given to each member of 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 91 Ch. 327 — 2 — Item 9.3
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to each member of each legislative body all or a majority of whose members are appointed by or under the authority of the elected legislative 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 body of a local agency to also impose those requirements on those appointed legislative bodies of the local 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 of an appointed legislative body of a local agency must be appointed by or under the authority of the elected legislative body of a local agency in order for the elected legislative body to impose the above-described requirements on the appointed legislative body.
(6) Existing law provides any person attending an open and public meeting of a legislative body of a local agency with the right to record the proceedings with an audio or visual recorder or a still or motion picture camera, as specified.
This bill would remove the reference to an audio or visual recorder or a still or motion 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 teleconferencing to comply with specified general requirements, including that the local agency post agendas at all teleconference locations, identify each teleconference location in the notice and agenda of the meeting or proceeding, and have each teleconference location be accessible to the public. Existing law also requires that, during the teleconference, at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body 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 jurisdiction of a health authority, as defined, that conducts a teleconferencing meeting to, notwithstanding the above-described general teleconference provisions, count towards the establishment of a quorum when participating in the teleconference if, among other things, at least 50% of the number of members that would establish a quorum are present within the boundaries of the territory over which the authority 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 opportunity for all persons to attend via a call-in option or an internet-based service option. Those circumstances in which 91 — 3 — Ch. 327 Item 9.3
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the legislative body of a local agency is authorized to use the alternative teleconferencing provisions include specified circumstances relating to a state of emergency, as defined, and, until January 1, 2026, subject to specified limitations, a member’s need to participate remotely due to just cause, defined to include, among other things, a need related to a physical or mental disability, or emergency circumstances, as defined, if certain quorum and disclosure requirements are met.
Existing law also authorizes certain eligible legislative bodies, including neighborhood councils and student body associations and student-run community college organizations to, until January 1, 2026, use alternate teleconferencing if, among other requirements, the city council or board of trustees, as applicable, has adopted an authorizing resolution and 2⁄3 of the neighborhood city council or specified student organization, as applicable, votes to use alternate teleconference provisions, as specified.
This bill would revise 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 local agency that elects to use teleconferencing pursuant to these alternative teleconferencing provisions to comply with, in addition to any other applicable requirements 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 means 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 from a remote location pursuant to these alternative teleconferencing provisions and the specific provision of law that the member relied upon to permit their participation by teleconferencing are listed in the minutes of the meeting. The bill would require a local agency to identify and make available to legislative bodies a list of one or more meeting locations that may be available for use by the legislative bodies to conduct their meetings.
The bill would specify that nothing in the 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 legislative body by remote participation as a reasonable accommodation pursuant to any applicable law. The bill would apply certain provisions relative to, among other things, quorum establishment to that circumstance.
The bill would instead authorize a health authority, as defined, to conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to the above-described alternative teleconferencing provisions.
The bill would revise and recast the alternative teleconferencing provisions applicable in a state of emergency, as defined. The bill would also include a local emergency, as defined, as a circumstance in which a legislative body of a local agency is authorized to use the alternative teleconferencing provisions.
The bill would revise and recast the alternative teleconferencing provisions applicable in cases of a member’s need to participate remotely due to just 91 Ch. 327 — 4 — Item 9.3
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cause or emergency circumstances, as defined, to remove the provision applicable to emergency circumstances, to revise related definitions, including broadening the definition 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 participate remotely, as specified. The bill would extend the authorization 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 college organizations. In regards to the alternative teleconferencing provisions applicable to student body associations and student-run community college organizations, the bill would exempt the California Online Community College from specified requirements for an in-person quorum, a physical location for public participation, and certain accommodations under the authorization, and remove the ability for a person with a disability that requires certain accommodations to count towards the in-person quorum requirement. The bill would specify that the student body associations and student-run community college organizations described above are those in any community college recognized within the California Community Colleges system, and would extend the authorization to the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. The bill would extend the authorization to use the alternative teleconferencing provisions applicable to neighborhood councils and student body associations and student-run community college organizations until January 1, 2030.
The bill would, until January 1, 2030, also authorize a specified subsidiary body of local agencies to conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to the above-described alternative teleconferencing 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 location within the boundaries of the legislative body that created the subsidiary body where members of the subsidiary body who are not participating remotely 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 1, 2030, also authorize specified multijurisdictional bodies of local agencies to conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to the above-described alternative teleconferencing provisions, provided that it complies with the requirements for alternative teleconferencing described above and additional requirements, including that the eligible multijurisdictional body has adopted a resolution that authorizes the multijurisdictional body to use teleconferencing at a regular meeting in open session.
The bill would specify that these teleconferencing provisions are cumulative, and would authorize a legislative body to elect to use any teleconferencing provisions that are applicable to a meeting, regardless of 91 — 5 — Ch. 327 Item 9.3
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whether any other teleconferencing provisions would also be applicable to that meeting.
Existing law defines “teleconference” for purposes of the authorization for a legislative body of a local agency to use teleconferencing to mean a meeting of a legislative body, the members of which are in different locations, connected by electronic means, through either audio or video, or both.
This bill would specify that “teleconference” does not include the attendance of one or more members of a legislative body in a meeting of the body solely by watching or listening via webcasting or any other similar electronic medium that does not permit members to interactively speak, discuss, or deliberate on matters.
(8) Existing law authorizes a special meeting to 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 law requires specified legislative bodies to comply with the internet website posting requirement.
The bill would remove the requirement that only 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 notice and posting requirements in the case of emergency circumstances, as specified, and imposes various requirements under these provisions applicable to either legislative bodies generally or legislative bodies which are a school board.
This bill would remove the school board distinction from the above-described provisions, thereby imposing the same requirements to hold an emergency meeting on all legislative bodies of local agencies.
By imposing additional duties on legislative bodies of local agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(10) Existing law authorizes, in addition to other related specified authorizations, the presiding member of the legislative body conducting a meeting or their designee to remove, or cause the removal of, an individual for disrupting the meeting. Existing law defines “disrupting” for these purposes to mean engaging in behavior during a meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting, as specified.
This bill would specify that a meeting for purposes of that provision includes any teleconferenced meeting. The bill would specify that the existing authority of a legislative body or its presiding officer to remove or limit participation by persons who engage in behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting, as specified, applies to members of the public participating in a meeting via a 2-way telephonic service or a 2-way audiovisual platform, as those terms are defined.
(11) The bill would make other updates to references in the act. 91 Ch. 327 — 6 — Item 9.3
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(12) Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies 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 California Constitution requires local 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 or enacts laws relating to public records or open meetings and contains findings demonstrating that the enactment furthers the constitutional requirements relating to this purpose.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect. (14) The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities. (15) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 54952.2 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 89 of the Statutes of 2020, is amended to read:
54952.2. (a) As used in this chapter, “meeting” means any congregation of a majority of the members of a legislative body at the same time and location, including teleconference location as permitted by Section 54953, to hear, discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body.
(b) (1) A majority of the members of a legislative body shall not, outside 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 not be construed as preventing an employee or official of a local agency, from engaging in separate conversations or communications outside of a meeting authorized by this chapter with members of a legislative 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 does not communicate to members of the legislative body the comments or position of any other member or members of the legislative body.
(3) (A) Paragraph (1) shall not be construed as preventing a member of the legislative body from engaging in separate conversations or communications on an internet-based social media platform to answer 91 — 7 — Ch. 327 Item 9.3
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questions, provide information to the public, or to solicit information from the public regarding a matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body provided that a majority of 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 jurisdiction of the legislative body. A member of 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 member of the legislative body.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, all of the following definitions shall apply:
(i) “Discuss among themselves” means communications made, posted, or shared on an internet-based social media platform between members of a legislative body, including comments or use of digital icons that express reactions to communications made by other members of the legislative body. (ii) “Internet-based social media platform” means an online service that is open and accessible to the public.
(iii) “Open and accessible to the public” means that members of the general public have the ability to access and participate, free of charge, in the social media platform without the approval by the social media platform or a person or entity other than the social media platform, including any forum and chatroom, and cannot be blocked from doing so, except when the internet-based social media platform determines that an individual violated its protocols or rules.
(c) Nothing in this section shall impose the requirements of this chapter upon any of the following:
(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 of the members of a legislative body at a conference or similar gathering open to the public that involves a discussion of issues of general interest to the public or to public agencies of the type represented by the legislative body, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled program, business of a specified nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the local agency. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to allow members of the public free admission to a conference or similar gathering at which the organizers have required other participants or registrants to pay fees or charges as a condition of attendance. (3) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at an open and publicized meeting organized to address a topic of local community concern by a person or organization other than the local agency, provided that a majority 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 subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency.
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(4) The attendance of a majority 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 of a legislative body of another local agency, provided that a majority 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 jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency.
(5) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at a purely social or ceremonial occasion, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency.
(6) The attendance of a majority of the members of a legislative body at an open and noticed meeting of a standing committee of that body, provided that the members of the legislative body who are not members of the standing committee attend only as observers.
SEC. 2. Section 54952.2 of the Government Code, as added by Section 2 of Chapter 89 of the Statutes of 2020, is repealed.
SEC. 3. Section 54952.7 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54952.7. A local agency shall provide a copy of this chapter to any person elected or appointed to serve as a member of a legislative body of the local agency.
SEC. 4. Section 54953 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 534 of the Statutes of 2023, is amended to read:
54953. (a) All meetings of the legislative body of a local agency shall be open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the legislative body of a local agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the legislative body of a local agency may use teleconferencing for the benefit of the public and the legislative body of a local agency in connection with any meeting or proceeding authorized by law. The teleconferenced meeting or proceeding shall comply with all otherwise applicable requirements of this chapter and all otherwise applicable provisions of law relating to a specific type of meeting or proceeding.
(2) Teleconferencing, as authorized by this section, may be used for all purposes in connection with any meeting within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. If the legislative body of a local agency elects to use teleconferencing, the legislative body of a local agency shall comply with all of the following:
(A) All votes taken during a teleconferenced meeting shall be by rollcall. (B) The teleconferenced meetings shall be conducted in a manner that protects the statutory and constitutional rights of the parties or the public appearing before the legislative body of a local agency. (C) The legislative body shall give notice of the meeting and post agendas as otherwise required by this chapter.
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(D) The legislative body shall allow members of the public to access the meeting and the agenda shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the legislative body directly pursuant to Section 54954.3. (3) If the legislative body of a local agency elects to use teleconferencing, it shall post agendas at all teleconference locations. Each teleconference location shall be identified in the notice and agenda of the meeting or proceeding, and each teleconference location shall be accessible to the public. During the teleconference, at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body shall participate from locations within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction, except as expressly provided in this chapter.
(4) The teleconferencing requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to remote participation described in subdivision (c).
(c) (1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a member of a legislative body with a disability from participating in any meeting of the legislative body by remote participation as a reasonable accommodation pursuant to any applicable law.
(2) A member of a legislative body participating in a meeting by remote participation pursuant to this subdivision shall do both of the following:
(A) The member shall participate through both audio and visual technology, except that any member with a disability, as defined in Section 12102 of Title 42 of the United States Code, 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 disclose at the meeting before any action is taken, whether any other individuals 18 years of age or older are present in the room 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 location for all purposes, including any requirement that a quorum of the legislative body participate from any particular location. The provisions of subdivision (b) and Sections 54953.8 to 54953.8.7, inclusive, shall not apply to remote participation under this subdivision.
(d) (1) No legislative body shall take action by secret ballot, whether preliminary or final.
(2) The legislative body of a local agency shall publicly report any action taken and the vote or abstention on that action of each member present for the action.
(3) (A) Prior to taking final action, the legislative body shall orally report a summary of a recommendation for a final action on the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of either of the following during the open meeting in which the final action is to be taken:
(i) A local agency executive, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3511.1.
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(ii) A department head or other similar administrative officer of the local agency.
(B) This paragraph shall not affect the public’s right under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1) to inspect or copy records created or received in the process of developing the recommendation.
(e) For purposes of this section, both of the following definitions apply:
(1) “Disability” means a physical disability or a mental disability as those terms are defined in Section 12926 and used in Section 12926.1, or a disability as defined in Section 12102 of Title 42 of the United States Code. (2) (A) “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 both.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), “teleconference” does not include one or more members watching or listening to a meeting via webcasting or any other 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 designated in the notice of the meeting.
SEC. 5. Section 54953.4 is added to 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 populace. The Legislature encourages local agencies to 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 to this chapter shall comply with both of the following requirements:
(A) (i) (I) (ia) All open and public meetings shall include an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a two-way telephonic service or 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 location during only a portion of the meeting, the legislative body shall include an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform during that portion of the meeting. (ib) (Ia) On or before July 1, 2026, an eligible legislative body shall approve at a noticed public meeting in open session, not on the consent calendar, a policy regarding disruption of telephonic or internet service occurring during meetings subject to this sub-subclause. The policy shall address the procedures for recessing and reconvening a meeting in the event of disruption and the efforts that the eligible legislative body shall make to attempt to restore the service.
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telephonic service or 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. The eligible legislative body may meet in closed session during this period. The eligible legislative body shall not reconvene 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. (Ic) Upon reconvening the open session, if telephonic or internet service has not been restored, the eligible legislative body shall adopt a finding by rollcall vote that good faith efforts to restore the telephonic or internet service have been made in accordance 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.
(II) Subclause (I) does not apply to a meeting that is held to do any of the following:
(ia) Attend a judicial or administrative proceeding to which the local agency is a party.
(ib) Inspect real or personal property provided that the topic of the meeting is limited to items directly related to the real or personal property. (ic) 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.
(id) Meet in or nearby a facility owned by the agency, provided that the topic of the meeting is limited to items directly related to the facility. (ie) Meet in an emergency situation pursuant to Section 54956.5. (ii) If an eligible legislative body elects to provide a two-way audiovisual platform, the eligible legislative body shall publicly post and provide a call-in option, and activate any automatic captioning function during the meeting if an automatic captioning function is included with the two-way audiovisual platform. If an eligible legislative body does not elect to provide a two-way audiovisual platform, the eligible legislative body shall provide a two-way telephonic service for the public to participate in the meeting, pursuant to subclause (I).
(B) (i) All open and public meetings for which attendance via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform is provided in accordance with paragraph (1) shall provide the public with an opportunity to provide public comment in accordance with Section 54954.3 via the two-way telephonic or two-way audiovisual platform, and ensure the opportunity for the members of the public participating via a two-way telephonic or two-way audiovisual platform to provide public comment with the same time allotment as a person attending a meeting in person. (2) (A) 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 interpretation provided by another member of the public, so long as the interpretation is not disrupting to the meeting, as defined in Section 54957.95. The eligible legislative body shall publicize instructions on how 91 Ch. 327 — 12 — Item 9.3
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to request assistance under this subdivision. Assistance may include any of the following, as determined by the eligible legislative body:
(i) Arranging space for one or more interpreters at the meeting location. (ii) Allowing extra time during the meeting for interpretation to occur. (iii) Ensuring participants may utilize their personal equipment or reasonably access facilities for participants to access commercially available interpretation services.
(B) This section does not require an eligible legislative body to provide interpretation of any public meeting, however, an eligible legislative body may elect to provide interpretation of any public meeting. (C) The eligible legislative body is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any interpretation facilitated, assisted with, or provided under this subdivision. An action shall not be commenced or maintained against the eligible legislative body arising from the content or accuracy of 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 participate in public meetings:
(A) Have in place a system for electronically accepting and fulfilling requests for meeting agendas and documents pursuant to Section 54954.1 through email or through an integrated agenda management platform.
Information about how to make a request using this system shall be accessible through a prominent direct link posted on the primary internet website home page of the eligible legislative body.
(B) (i) Create and maintain an accessible internet webpage dedicated to public meetings that includes, or provides a link to, all of the following information:
(I) A general explanation of the public meeting process for the eligible legislative body.
(II) An explanation of the procedures for a member of the public to provide in-person or remote oral public comment during a public meeting or to submit written public comment.
(III) A calendar of all public meeting dates with calendar listings that include the date, time, and location of each public meeting. (IV) The agenda posted online pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 54954.2.
(ii) The eligible legislative body shall include a link to the webpage required by subparagraph (A) on the home page of the eligible legislative body’s internet website.
(C) (i) Make reasonable efforts, as determined by the legislative body, to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings, which may include, but are not limited to, all the following:
(I) Media organizations that provide news coverage in the jurisdiction of the eligible legislative body, including media organizations that serve non-English-speaking communities.
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(II) Good government, civil rights, civic engagement, neighborhood, and community group organizations, or similar organizations that are active in the jurisdiction of the eligible legislative body, including organizations active in non-English-speaking communities.
(ii) Legislative bodies shall have broad discretion in the choice of reasonable efforts they make under this subparagraph. No action shall be commenced or maintained against an eligible legislative body arising from failing to provide public meeting information to any specific group pursuant to this subparagraph.
(c) (1) (A) The agenda for each meeting of an eligible legislative body shall be translated into all applicable languages, and each translation shall be posted in accordance with Section 54954.2. 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 registration for public comment.
(B) The accessible internet webpage provided under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) shall be translated into all applicable languages, and each translation shall be accessible through a prominent direct link posted on the primary internet website home page of the eligible legislative body.
(2) A translation made using a digital translation service shall satisfy the requirements of paragraph (1).
(3) The eligible legislative body shall make available a physical location that is freely accessible to the public in reasonable proximity to the physical location in which the agenda and translations are posted as described in paragraph (1), and shall allow members of the public to post additional translations of the agenda in that location.
(4) The eligible legislative body is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any translation provided pursuant to this subdivision. 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.
(5) For the purposes of this section, the agenda does not include the entire agenda packet.
(d) This section shall not be construed to affect or supersede any other applicable civil rights, nondiscrimination, or public access laws. (e) For purposes of this section, all of the following definitions apply:
(1) (A) “Applicable languages” means languages, according to data from the most recent American Community Survey, spoken jointly by 20 percent or more of the applicable population, provided that 20 percent or more of the population that speaks that language in that city or county speaks English less than “very well.”
(B) For the purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable population shall be determined as follows:
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(i) For an eligible legislative body that is a city council or county board of supervisors, the applicable population shall be the population of the city or county.
(ii) For an eligible legislative body of a special district, the applicable population shall be either of the following, at the discretion of the board of directors of the special district:
(I) 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 determine what languages spoken by the population within its service area meet the requirements of paragraph (A). (C) If more than three languages meet the criteria set forth in subparagraph (A), “applicable languages” shall mean the three languages described in subparagraph (A) that are spoken by the largest percentage of the population.
(D) An eligible legislative body may elect to 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. (2) “Eligible legislative body” means any of the following:
(A) A city council of a city with a population of 30,000 or more. (B) A county board of supervisors of a county, 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 or more.
(D) The board of directors of a special district that has an internet website and meets any of the following conditions:
(i) The boundaries of the special district include the entirety of a county with a population of 600,000 or more, 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 the most recent Financial Transaction Report data published by the California State Controller, that exceed four hundred million dollars ($400,000,000), adjusted annually for inflation commencing January 1, 2027, as measured by the percentage change in the California Consumer Price Index from January 1 of the prior year to January 1 of the current year, and the special district employs over 200 full-time equivalent employees.
(3) “Two-way audiovisual platform” means 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. (4) “Two-way telephonic service” means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate.
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(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 6. Section 54953.5 of the Government Code is amended to 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 record the proceedings in the absence of a reasonable finding by the legislative body of the local agency that the recording cannot continue without noise, illumination, or obstruction of view that constitutes, or would constitute, a persistent disruption of the proceedings.
(b) Any recording of an open and public meeting made for whatever purpose by or at the direction of the local agency shall be subject to inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1), but, notwithstanding Section 34090, may be erased or destroyed 30 days after the recording. Any inspection of an audio or video recording shall be provided without charge on equipment made available by the local agency.
SEC. 7. Section 54953.7 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54953.7. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, legislative bodies of local agencies may impose requirements upon themselves which allow greater access to their meetings than prescribed by the minimal standards set forth in this chapter. In addition thereto, an elected legislative body of a local agency may impose those requirements on appointed legislative bodies of the local agency.
SEC. 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 to 54953.8.7, inclusive.
(b) A legislative body that holds a teleconference meeting pursuant to this section shall, in addition to any other applicable requirements of this chapter, comply with all of the following:
(1) The legislative body shall provide at least one of the following as a means by which the public may remotely hear and visually observe the meeting, and remotely address the legislative body:
(A) A two-way audiovisual platform.
(B) A two-way telephonic service and a live webcasting of the meeting. (2) In each instance in which notice of the time of the teleconference meeting held pursuant to this section is otherwise given or the agenda for the meeting is otherwise posted, the legislative body shall also give notice of the means by which members of the public may access the meeting and offer public comment. The agenda shall identify and include an opportunity for all persons to attend via a call-in option or an internet-based service option.
(3) In the event of a disruption that prevents the legislative body from broadcasting the meeting to members of the public using the call-in option or internet-based service option, or in the event of a disruption within the 91 Ch. 327 — 16 — Item 9.3
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local agency’s control that prevents members of the public from offering public comments using the call-in option or internet-based service option, the legislative body shall take no further action on items appearing on the meeting agenda until public access to the meeting via the call-in option or internet-based service option is restored. Actions taken on agenda items during a disruption that prevents the legislative body from broadcasting the meeting may be challenged pursuant to Section 54960.1.
(4) The legislative body shall not require public comments to be submitted in advance of the meeting and must provide an opportunity for the public to address the legislative body and offer comment in real time. (5) Notwithstanding Section 54953.3, an individual desiring to provide public comment through the use of an internet 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 to register as required by the third-party internet website or online platform to participate. (6) (A) A legislative body that provides a timed public comment period for each agenda item shall not close the public comment period for the agenda item, or the opportunity to register, pursuant to paragraph (5), to provide public comment until that timed public comment 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 of time per agenda item to allow public members the opportunity to provide public comment, including time for members of the public to register pursuant to paragraph (5), or otherwise be recognized for the purpose of providing public comment.
(C) A legislative body that provides a timed general public comment period that does not correspond to a specific agenda item shall not close the public comment period or the opportunity to register, pursuant to paragraph (5), until the timed general public comment period has elapsed. (7) Any member of the legislative body who participates in a teleconference meeting from a remote location pursuant to this section and the specific provision of law that the member relied upon to permit their participation by teleconferencing shall be listed in the minutes of the meeting. (8) The legislative body shall have and implement a procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving requests for reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, consistent with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and resolving any doubt in favor of accessibility. In each instance in which notice of the time of the meeting is otherwise given or the agenda for the meeting is otherwise posted, the legislative body shall also give notice of the procedure for receiving and resolving requests for accommodation.
(9) The legislative body shall conduct meetings subject to this chapter consistent with applicable civil rights and nondiscrimination laws. (c) A local agency shall identify and make available to legislative bodies a list of one or more meeting locations that may be available for use by the legislative bodies to conduct their meetings.
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(d) (1) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a legislative body from providing the public with additional teleconference locations. (2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a legislative body 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 body who participates in a teleconference meeting from a remote location pursuant to this section shall publicly disclose at the meeting before any action is taken whether any other individuals 18 years of age or older are present in the room at the remote 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 teleconferencing provisions that are applicable to a meeting, regardless of whether any other teleconferencing provisions would also be applicable to that meeting.
(g) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Remote location” means a location from which a member of a legislative body participates in a meeting pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b), other than any physical meeting location designated in the notice of the meeting. Remote locations need not be accessible to the public. (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 both.
(3) “Two-way audiovisual platform” means 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. A two-way audiovisual platform may be structured to disable the use of video for the public participants.
(4) “Two-way telephonic service” means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate.
(5) “Webcasting” means a streaming video broadcast online or on television, using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners and viewers.
SEC. 9. Section 54953.8.1 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.1. (a) A health authority may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section.
(b) Nothing in this section or Section 54953.8 shall be construed as discouraging health authority members from regularly meeting at a common physical site within the jurisdiction of the authority or from using teleconference locations within or near the jurisdiction of the authority. (c) For purposes of this section, a health authority means any entity created pursuant to Sections 14018.7, 14087.31, 14087.35, 14087.36, 14087.38, and 14087.9605 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, any joint powers authority created pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 91 Ch. 327 — 18 — Item 9.3
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6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 for the purpose 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 Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code if the advisory committee has 12 or more members.
SEC. 10. Section 54953.8.2 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.2. (a) A legislative body of a local agency may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8 during a proclaimed state of emergency or local emergency, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and the teleconferencing is used in either of the following circumstances:
(1) For the purpose of determining, by majority vote, whether as a result of the emergency, meeting in person would present imminent risks to 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 would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees.
(b) If the state of emergency or local emergency remains active, in order to continue to teleconference 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 following findings by majority vote:
(1) The legislative body has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency or local emergency.
(2) The state of emergency or local emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person. (c) This section shall not be construed to require the legislative body to provide a physical location from which the public may attend or comment. (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 54953.8, a legislative body conducting a teleconference meeting pursuant to this section may elect to use a two-way telephonic service without a live webcasting of the meeting.
(e) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Local emergency” means a condition of extreme peril to persons or property proclaimed by the governing body of the local agency affected, in accordance with Section 8630 of the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2), as defined in Section 8680.9, or a local health emergency declared pursuant to Section 101080 of the Health and Safety Code. Local emergency, as used in this section, refers only to local emergencies in the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction. (2) “State of emergency” means state of emergency proclaimed pursuant to Section 8625 of the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2).
SEC. 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 Section 54953.8 if, during the 91 — 19 — Ch. 327 Item 9.3
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teleconference meeting, at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body participates in person from a singular physical location clearly identified on the agenda, which location shall be open to the public and situated within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction, provided that the legislative body complies with the requirements of Section 54953.8 and all of the following additional requirements:
(1) A member of the legislative body notifies the legislative body at the earliest opportunity possible, including at the start of a regular meeting, of their need to participate remotely 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 both audio 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 body solely by teleconference from a remote location for just cause for more than the following number of meetings, as applicable:
(i) Two meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets once 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 or more times per month.
(B) For the purpose of counting meetings attended by teleconference under this paragraph, a “meeting” shall be defined as any number of meetings of the legislative body of a local agency that begin on the same calendar day.
(b) The minutes for the meeting shall identify the specific provision in subdivision (c) that each member relied upon to participate remotely. This subdivision shall not be construed to require the member to disclose any medical diagnosis or disability, or any personal medical information that is otherwise exempt under existing law, including, but not limited to, the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 56) of Part 2.6 of Division 1 of the Civil Code). (c) For purposes of this 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 to participate remotely. “Child,” “parent,” “grandparent,” “grandchild,” and “sibling” have the same meaning as those terms do in Section 12945.2. (2) A contagious illness that prevents a member from attending in person. (3) A need related to a physical or mental condition that is not subject to subdivision (c) of Section 54953.
(4) Travel while on official business of the legislative body or another state or local agency.
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(5) An immunocompromised child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or 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 official written orders for active duty, drill, annual training, or any other duty required as a member of the California National Guard or a United States Military 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 January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 12. Section 54953.8.4 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.4. (a) An eligible neighborhood council may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section 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 resolution to authorize eligible neighborhood councils to use teleconferencing as described in this section at an open and regular meeting.
(B) If the city council adopts a resolution described in subparagraph (A), an eligible neighborhood council may elect to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section if a majority of the eligible neighborhood council votes to do so. The eligible neighborhood council shall notify the city council if it elects to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section and its justification for doing so.
(C) Upon receiving notification from an eligible neighborhood council described in subparagraph (B), the city council may adopt a resolution to prohibit the eligible neighborhood council from using teleconferencing pursuant to this section.
(2) After completing the requirements of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), an eligible neighborhood council that holds a meeting pursuant to this subdivision shall do all of the following:
(A) At least a quorum of the members of the eligible neighborhood council shall participate from locations within the boundaries of the city in which the eligible neighborhood council is established. (B) At 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 boundaries of the eligible neighborhood council.
(3) If the meeting is during regular business hours of the offices of the city council member that represents the area that includes the eligible neighborhood council, the eligible neighborhood council shall provide a publicly accessible physical location from which the public may attend or comment, which shall be the offices of the city council member who 91 — 21 — Ch. 327 Item 9.3
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represents the area where the eligible neighborhood council is located, unless the eligible neighborhood council identifies an alternative location. (4) If the meeting is outside regular business hours, the eligible neighborhood council shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate any member of the public that requests an accommodation to participate in the meeting.
(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Accommodation” means providing a publicly accessible physical location for the member of the public to participate from, providing access to technology necessary to participate in the meeting, or identifying locations or resources available that could provide the member of the public with an opportunity to participate in the meeting.
(2) “Eligible neighborhood council” means a neighborhood council that is an advisory body with the purpose to promote more citizen participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs that is established pursuant to the charter of a city with a population of more than 3,000,000 people that is subject to this chapter.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 13. Section 54953.8.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.5. (a) An eligible community college student organization may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and all of the following additional requirements:
(1) An eligible community college student organization may only use teleconferencing as described in Section 54953.8 after all the following have occurred:
(A) The board of trustees for a community college district considers whether to adopt a resolution to authorize eligible community college student organizations 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 organization may elect to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section if a majority of the eligible community college student organization votes to do so. The eligible community college student organization shall notify the board of trustees if it elects to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section and its justification for doing so.
(C) Upon receiving notification from an eligible community college student organization as described in subparagraph (B), the board of trustees may adopt a resolution to prohibit the eligible community college student organization from using teleconferencing pursuant to this section. (D) (i) Except as specified in clause (ii), at least a quorum of the members of the eligible community college student organization shall participate from a singular physical location that is accessible to the public and is within the community college district in which the eligible community college student organization is established.
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(ii) The requirements described in clause (i) shall not apply to the California Online Community College.
(iii) Notwithstanding the requirements of 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 or remotely if the person meets any of the following criteria:
(I) The person is under 18 years of age.
(II) The person is incarcerated.
(III) The person is unable to disclose the location that they are participating from because of either of the following circumstances:
(ia) The person has been issued a protective court order, including, but not limited to, a domestic violence restraining order.
(ib) The person is participating in a program that has to remain confidential, including, but not limited to, an independent living program. (IV) The person provides childcare or caregiving to a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner that requires them to participate remotely. For purposes of this subclause, “child,” “parent,” “grandparent,” “grandchild,” and “sibling” have the same meaning as those terms are defined in Section 12945.2.
(2) An eligible community college student organization that holds a meeting by teleconference 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 of the offices of the board of trustees of the community college district, the eligible community college student organization shall provide a publicly accessible physical location from which the public may attend or comment, which shall be the offices of the board of trustees of the community college district, unless the eligible community college student organization identifies an alternative location. (ii) Except as specified in subparagraph (B), if the meeting is outside regular business hours, the eligible community college student organization shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate any member of the public that requests an accommodation to participate in the meeting. For the purposes of this subparagraph, “accommodation” means providing a publicly accessible physical location for the member of the public to participate from, providing access to technology necessary to participate in the meeting, or identifying locations or resources available that could provide the member of the public with an opportunity to participate in the meeting. (B) The requirements described in subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the California Online Community College.
(b) For purposes of this section, “eligible community college student organization” means a student body association organized pursuant to Section 76060 of the Education Code, or any other student-run community college organization that is required to comply with the meeting requirements of this chapter, that is in any community college recognized within the California Community Colleges system and includes the Student Senate for California Community Colleges.
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(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 14. Section 54953.8.6 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54953.8.6. (a) An eligible subsidiary body may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and all of the following additional requirements:
(1) The eligible subsidiary body shall designate one physical meeting location 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 of the public may physically attend, observe, hear, and participate in the meeting. At least one staff member of the eligible subsidiary body or the legislative body that created the eligible subsidiary body shall be present at the physical meeting location during the meeting. The eligible subsidiary body shall post the agenda at the physical meeting location, but need not post the agenda at a remote location.
(2) (A) A member of the eligible subsidiary body shall visibly appear on camera during the open portion of a meeting that is publicly accessible via the internet or other online platform, except if the member has a physical or mental condition not subject to subdivision (c) of Section 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 technologically infeasible, including, but not limited to, when the member experiences a lack of reliable broadband or internet connectivity that would be remedied by joining without video.
(C) If a member of the eligible subsidiary body does not appear on camera due to challenges with internet connectivity, the member shall announce the reason for their nonappearance 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 of the eligible subsidiary body by teleconferencing pursuant to this section unless the use of teleconferencing complies with the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 54953.
(4) (A) In order to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section, the legislative body that established the eligible subsidiary body by charter, ordinance, resolution, or other formal action shall make the following findings by majority vote before the eligible subsidiary body uses teleconferencing pursuant to this section for the first time, and every six months thereafter:
(i) The legislative body has considered the circumstances of the eligible subsidiary body.
(ii) Teleconference meetings of the eligible subsidiary body would enhance public access to meetings of the eligible subsidiary body, and the public has been made aware of the type of remote participation, including audio-visual or telephonic, that will be made available at a regularly scheduled meeting and has been provided the opportunity to comment at 91 Ch. 327 — 24 — Item 9.3
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an in-person meeting of the legislative body authorizing the subsidiary body to meet entirely remotely.
(iii) Teleconference meetings of the eligible subsidiary body would promote the attraction, retention, and diversity of eligible subsidiary body members.
(B) (i) An eligible subsidiary body authorized to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section may request to present any recommendations it develops to the legislative body that created it.
(ii) Upon receiving a request described in clause (i), the legislative body that created the subsidiary body shall hold a discussion at a regular meeting held within 60 days after the legislative body receives the request, or if the legislative body does 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 body until the next regular meeting of 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 approve the use of teleconferencing by majority vote before using teleconference pursuant to this section.
(D) The legislative body that created the eligible subsidiary body may elect to prohibit the eligible subsidiary body from using teleconferencing pursuant to this section at any time.
(b) (1) For purposes of this section, “eligible subsidiary body” means a legislative body that meets all of the following:
(A) Is described in subdivision (b) of Section 54952.
(B) Serves exclusively in an advisory capacity.
(C) Is not authorized to take final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, licenses, permits, or any other entitlements, grants, or allocations of funds.
(D) Does not have primary subject matter jurisdiction, 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, police oversight, privacy, removing from, or restricting access to, 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 not elected officials, or any combination thereof. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 15. Section 54953.8.7 is added to the Government Code, to read:
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54953.8.7. (a) An eligible multijurisdictional body may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to Section 54953.8, provided that it complies with the requirements of that section and all of the following additional requirements:
(1) The eligible multijurisdictional body has adopted a resolution that authorizes the eligible multijurisdictional body to use teleconferencing pursuant to this section at a regular meeting in open session. (2) At least a quorum of the members of the eligible multijurisdictional body shall participate from one or more physical locations that are open to the public and within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction.
(3) A member of the eligible multijurisdictional body who receives compensation for their service on the eligible multijurisdictional body shall participate from a physical location that is open to the public. For purposes of this paragraph, “compensation” does not include reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses.
(4) A member of the eligible multijurisdictional body may participate from a remote location provided that:
(A) The eligible multijurisdictional body identifies each member of the eligible multijurisdictional body who plans to participate remotely in the agenda.
(B) The member shall participate through both audio and visual technology.
(5) A member of the eligible multijurisdictional body shall not participate in a meeting remotely pursuant to this section, unless the location from which 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 section shall not serve as a means for any member of a legislative body to participate in meetings of the legislative body solely by teleconference from a remote location for more than the following number of meetings, as applicable:
(A) Two meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets once per month or less.
(B) Five meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets twice per month.
(C) Seven meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets three or more times per month.
(D) For the purpose of counting meetings attended by teleconference under this paragraph, a “meeting” shall be defined as any number of meetings of the legislative body of a local agency that begin on the same calendar day.
(b) For the purposes of this section, both of the following definitions apply:
(1) “Eligible multijurisdictional body” means a multijurisdictional board, commission, or advisory body of a multijurisdictional, cross-county agency, the membership of which board, commission, or advisory body is appointed, 91 Ch. 327 — 26 — Item 9.3
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and the board, commission, or advisory body is otherwise subject to this chapter.
(2) “Multijurisdictional” means either of the following:
(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 accordance with Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 16. Section 54954.2 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 92 of Chapter 131 of the Statutes of 2023, is amended to read:
54954.2. (a) (1) At least 72 hours before a regular meeting, the legislative body of the local agency, or its designee, shall post an agenda that meets all of the following requirements:
(A) The agenda shall contain a brief general description of each item of business to be transacted 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 posted in a location 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 the 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 or services, may be made by a person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in the public meeting.
(2) For a meeting occurring on and after January 1, 2019, of a legislative body of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state that has an internet website, the following provisions shall apply:
(A) An online posting of an agenda 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 that is accessible through a prominent, direct link to the current agenda. The direct link to the agenda shall not be in a contextual menu; however, a link in addition to the direct link to the agenda may be accessible through 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 following requirements:
(i) Retrievable, downloadable, indexable, and electronically searchable by commonly used internet search applications.
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(ii) Platform independent and machine readable.
(iii) Available to the public free of charge and without any restriction that would impede the reuse or redistribution of the agenda. (C) A legislative body of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state that has an internet website and an integrated agenda management platform shall not be required to comply with subparagraph (A) if all of the following 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 shall not be in a contextual menu. When a person clicks on the direct 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 city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state.
(ii) The integrated agenda management platform may contain the prior agendas of a legislative body of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state for all meetings occurring on or after January 1, 2019.
(iii) The current agenda of the legislative body of a city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the 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 platform shall comply with the requirements in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (B).
(D) The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a political subdivision of a local agency that was established by the legislative body of the city, county, city and county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state.
(E) For purposes of this paragraph, both of the following definitions apply:
(1) “Integrated agenda management platform” means an internet website of a city, county, 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 county, special district, school district, or political subdivision established by the state to the public.
(2) “Legislative body” means a legislative body that meets 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 legislative body or its staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights under Section 54954.3. In addition, on their own initiative or in response to questions posed by the public, a member of a legislative body or its staff may ask a question for clarification, 91 Ch. 327 — 28 — Item 9.3
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make a brief announcement, or make a brief report on their own activities.
Furthermore, a member of a legislative body, or the body itself, subject to rules or procedures of the legislative body, may provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information, request staff to report back to the body at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter, or take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the legislative body may take action on items of business not appearing on the posted agenda under any of the conditions stated below. Prior to discussing any item pursuant to this subdivision, the legislative body shall publicly identify the item. (1) Upon a determination by a majority vote of the legislative body that an emergency situation exists, as defined in Section 54956.5. (2) Upon a determination by a two-thirds vote of the members of the legislative body present at the meeting, or, 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 action and that the need for action came to the attention of the local agency subsequent to the agenda being posted as specified in subdivision (a).
(3) The item was posted pursuant to subdivision (a) for a prior meeting of the legislative body occurring not more than five calendar days prior to the date action is taken on the item, and at the prior meeting the item was continued to the meeting at which action is being taken. (c) This section is necessary to implement and reasonably within the scope of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution.
(d) For purposes of subdivision (a), the requirement that the agenda be posted on the local agency’s internet website, if the local agency has one, shall only apply to a legislative body 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 Section 54952, if the members of the legislative body are compensated for their appearance, and if one or more of the members of the legislative body are also members of a legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (a) of Section 54952.
SEC. 17. Section 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 body 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 jurisdiction of the legislative body, provided that no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda unless the action is otherwise authorized by subdivision (b) of Section 54954.2.
(2) (A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the agenda need not 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 91 — 29 — Ch. 327 Item 9.3
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exclusively of members of the legislative body, at a public meeting wherein all interested members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the committee on the item, before or during the committee’s consideration 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 quorum of the committee members did not participate from a singular physical location, that was clearly identified on the agenda, open to the public, and situated within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction. (iii) The committee has primary subject matter jurisdiction, 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, police oversight, privacy, removing from, or restricting access to, materials available in public libraries, or taxes or related spending proposals.
This clause shall not apply to an item if the local agency has adopted a law applicable to the meeting of the committee at which the item that was considered prohibits the committee from placing a limit on the total amount of time for public comment on the item.
(3) Every notice for a special meeting shall provide an opportunity for members of 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 legislative body of a local agency may adopt reasonable regulations to ensure that the intent of subdivision (a) is carried out, including, but not limited to, regulations limiting the total amount of time allocated for public testimony on particular issues and for each individual speaker.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), when the legislative body of a local agency limits time for public comment, the legislative body of a local agency shall provide at least twice the allotted time to a member of the public who utilizes a translator to ensure that non-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 of a local agency utilizes simultaneous translation equipment in a manner that allows the legislative body of a local agency to hear the translated public testimony simultaneously.
(c) The legislative body of a local agency shall not prohibit public criticism of the policies, procedures, programs, or services of the agency, or of the acts or omissions of the legislative body. Nothing in this subdivision shall confer any privilege or protection for expression beyond that otherwise provided by law.
SEC. 18. Section 54956 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54956. (a) (1) A special meeting may be called at any time by the presiding officer of the legislative body of a local agency, or by a majority 91 Ch. 327 — 30 — Item 9.3
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of the members of the legislative body, by delivering written notice to each member of the legislative body and to each local newspaper of general circulation and radio or television station requesting notice in writing and posting a notice on the local agency’s internet website, if the local agency has one. The notice shall be delivered personally or by any other means and shall be received at least 24 hours before the time of the meeting as specified in the notice. The call and notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted or discussed. No other business shall be considered at these meetings by the legislative body. The written notice 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 body a written waiver of notice. The waiver may be given by telephone or electronic mail. The written notice may also be dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes.
(2) The call and notice shall be posted at least 24 hours prior to the special meeting in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, a legislative body shall not call a special meeting regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits, of the legislative body or of a local agency executive, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 3511.1. However, this subdivision does not apply to a local agency calling a special meeting to discuss the local agency’s budget.
SEC. 19. Section 54956.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54956.5. (a) For purposes of this section, “emergency situation” means both of the following:
(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 of the legislative body. (2) A dire emergency, which shall be defined as a crippling disaster, mass destruction, terrorist act, or threatened terrorist activity that poses peril so immediate and significant that requiring a legislative body to provide one-hour notice before holding an emergency meeting under this section may endanger the public health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the members of the legislative body.
(b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), in the case of an emergency situation involving matters upon which prompt action 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 24-hour posting requirement of Section 54956 or both of the notice and posting requirements.
(2) Each local newspaper of general circulation and radio or television station that has requested notice of special meetings pursuant to Section 54956 shall be notified by the presiding officer of the legislative body, or designee thereof, one hour prior to the emergency meeting, or, in the case of a dire emergency, at or near the time that the presiding officer or designee notifies the members of the legislative body of the emergency meeting. 91 — 31 — Ch. 327 Item 9.3
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(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the notice required by this paragraph shall be given by telephone and all telephone numbers provided in the most recent request of a newspaper or station for notification of special meetings shall be exhausted. In the event that telephone services are not functioning, the notice requirements of this paragraph shall be deemed waived, and the legislative body, or designee of the legislative body, shall notify those newspapers, radio stations, or television stations of the fact of the holding of the emergency meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and any action taken at the meeting as soon after the meeting as possible. (B) For an emergency meeting held pursuant to this section, the presiding officer of the legislative body, or designee thereof, may send the notifications required by this paragraph by email instead of by telephone, as provided in subparagraph (A), to all local newspapers of general circulation, and radio or television stations, that have requested those notifications by email, and all email addresses provided by representatives of those newspapers or stations shall be exhausted. In the event that internet services and telephone services are not functioning, the notice requirements of this paragraph shall be deemed waived, and the legislative body, or designee of the legislative body, shall notify those newspapers, radio stations, or television stations of the fact of the holding of the emergency meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and any action taken at the meeting as soon after the meeting as possible. (c) During a meeting held pursuant to this section, the legislative body may meet in closed session pursuant to Section 54957 if agreed to by a two-thirds vote of the members of the legislative body present, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, by a unanimous vote 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 officer of the legislative body, or designee of the legislative body, notified or attempted to notify, a copy of the rollcall vote, and any actions taken at the meeting shall be posted for a minimum of 10 days in a public place as soon after the meeting as possible.
SEC. 20. Section 54957.6 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54957.6. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a legislative body of a local agency may hold closed sessions with the local agency’s designated representatives regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of its represented and unrepresented employees, and, for represented employees, any other matter within the statutorily provided scope of representation, subject to all of the following conditions:
(1) Prior to the closed session, the legislative body of the local agency shall hold an open and public session in which it identifies its designated representatives.
(2) The closed session shall be for the purpose of reviewing its position and instructing the local agency’s designated representatives. 91 Ch. 327 — 32 — Item 9.3
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(3) The closed session may take place prior to and during consultations and discussions with representatives of employee organizations and unrepresented employees.
(4) Any closed session with the local agency’s designated representative regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits may include discussion of an agency’s available funds and funding priorities, but only insofar as these discussions relate to providing instructions to the local agency’s designated representative. (5) The closed session shall not include final action on the proposed compensation of one or more unrepresented employees.
(6) For the purposes enumerated in this section, a legislative body of a local agency may also meet with a state conciliator who has intervened in the proceedings.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “employee” shall include an officer or an independent contractor who functions as an officer or an employee, but shall not include any elected official, member of a legislative body, or other independent contractors.
SEC. 21. Section 54957.9 of the Government Code 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 the meeting unfeasible and order cannot be restored by the removal of individuals who are willfully interrupting the meeting, the members of the legislative body conducting the meeting may order the meeting room cleared and continue in session. Only matters appearing on the agenda may be considered in such a session. Representatives of the press or other news media, except those participating in the disturbance, shall be allowed to attend any session held pursuant to this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the legislative body from establishing a procedure for readmitting an individual or individuals not responsible for willfully disturbing the orderly conduct of the meeting.
SEC. 22. Section 54957.95 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54957.95. (a) (1) In addition to authority exercised pursuant to Sections 54954.3 and 54957.9, the presiding member of the legislative body conducting a meeting or their designee may remove, or cause the removal of, an individual for disrupting the meeting, including any teleconferenced meeting.
(2) Prior to removing an individual, the presiding member or their designee shall warn the individual that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal. The presiding member or their designee may then remove the individual if they do not promptly cease their disruptive behavior. This paragraph does not apply to any behavior described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).
(b) As 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 91 — 33 — Ch. 327 Item 9.3
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the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to, one of the following:
(A) A failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by a legislative body pursuant to Section 54954.3 or any other law. (B) Engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force.
(2) “True threat of force” means a threat that has sufficient indicia of intent and seriousness, that a reasonable observer would perceive it to be an actual threat to use force by the person making the threat.
SEC. 23. Section 54957.96 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54957.96. (a) The existing authority of a legislative body or its presiding officer to remove or limit participation by persons who engage in behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting, including existing limitations upon that authority, shall apply to members of the public participating in a meeting via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform.
(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Two-way audiovisual platform” means 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. A two-way audiovisual platform may be structured to disable the use of video for the public participants.
(2) “Two-way telephonic service” means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate.
SEC. 24. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 4 of this act, which amends Section 54953 of, Section 5 of this act, which adds Section 54953.4 to, Sections 8 to 15, inclusive, of this act, which add Sections 54953.8 to 54953.8.7, respectively, to, Section 19 of this act, which amends Section 54956.5 of, Section 22 of this act, which amends Section 54957.95 of, and Section 23 of this act, which adds Section 54957.96 to, the Government 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 of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution.
Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
(a) This act is necessary to provide opportunities for public participation in meetings of specified public agencies and to promote the recruitment and retention of members of those agencies.
(b) This act is necessary to ensure minimum standards for public participation and notice requirements allowing for greater public participation in meetings.
(c) This act is necessary to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to reflect recent technological changes that can promote greater public access to local officials.
91 Ch. 327 — 34 — Item 9.3
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(d) The exclusively virtual nature of the California Online Community College presents unique barriers to the 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 requirements would pose a significant and exclusionary barrier.
SEC. 25. The Legislature 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 of, Section 4 of this act, which amends Section 54953 of, Section 5 of this act, which adds Section 54953.4 to, Section 6 of this act, which amends Section 54953.5 of, Section 7 of this act, which amends Section 54953.7 of, Sections 8 to 15, inclusive, of this act, which add Sections 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 Section 54954.3 of, Section 18 of this act, which amends Section 54956 of, Section 19 of this act, which amends 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 of, Section 22 of this act, which amends Section 54957.95 of, and Section 23 of this act, which adds Section 54957.96 to, the Government Code, further, 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 to the right of public access to the meetings of local public bodies or the writings of local public officials and local agencies. Pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution, the Legislature makes the following findings:
(a) This act is necessary to provide opportunities for public participation in meetings of specified public agencies and to promote the recruitment and retention of members of those agencies.
(b) This act is necessary to ensure minimum standards for public participation and notice requirements allowing for greater public participation in meetings.
(c) This act is necessary to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to reflect recent technological changes that can promote greater public access to local officials.
(d) The exclusively virtual nature of the California Online Community College presents unique barriers to the 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 requirements would pose a significant and exclusionary barrier.
SEC. 26. The Legislature finds and declares that adequate public access to meetings is a matter of statewide concern and is not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
Therefore, this bill would apply to all cities, including charter cities.
SEC. 27. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs 91 — 35 — Ch. 327 Item 9.3
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that may be incurred by a local agency or school 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 Article I of the California Constitution.
O
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DISCUSSION ITEM | 1
TITLE: City Manager’s Update
MEETING DATE: April 8, 2026
PREPARED BY: Steven J. Pinkerton, City Manager
COMMUNITY CONCERNS & CITY RESPONSE:
To ensure transparency and community engagement, staff provides responses to public comments and concerns raised during City meetings or through communication channels. We address key issues and provide updates or next steps. More details about follow-ups can be found at www.mountainhouseca.gov/PublicFollowUp .
Memorial / Naming Requests (Reilly Rudock Inquiry)
The City responded on behalf of the Mayor regarding a request to name a street in honor of a Mountain House resident. The City does not currently have a formal policy to evaluate these requests.
Staff will bring forward an item for discussion at the April 8 City Council meeting to initiate development of a comprehensive Naming, Memorial, and Dedication Policy to establish clear direction and guardrails before considering individual requests. In the interim, staff has acknowledged the request and will follow up once a policy framework is in place.
AI / Technology Outreach (Resident Inquiry)
The Mayor was contacted by a Mountain House resident with a background in software engineering who shared ideas on potential applications of artificial intelligence to improve City services, including a website-based “City Assistant” and enhanced service request processing.
Staff has reached out to coordinate a meeting to better understand the concepts and evaluate potential applicability within the City’s current systems and priorities.
Code Enforcement / Neighborhood Concerns (Verano Ct / Stop Sign Visibility) The City received a resident complaint through the City Council regarding a vacant property with overgrown vegetation, debris, and rodent activity, as well as a stop sign obstructed by tree limbs at Recreo and Comunidad.
Code Enforcement is working to contact the property owner to address the violations, with enforcement action if necessary. In parallel, staff has coordinated with the City’s landscape contractor to clear the obstructed stop sign and restore visibility.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATES:
Neighborhood Modifications and Approvals
Neighborhood A/B (College Park)
Item 9.4
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2 Builders continue to advance projects through design and permitting. The Design Consistency Review Committee (DCRC), comprised of City staff and Gerry Kamilos, has approved the following residential designs:
Richmond American Homes: Five home designs in Neighborhood B KB Home: Five home designs in Neighborhood B
Woodside Homes: Four home designs in Neighborhood B
Neighborhoods I (Lakepoint), J (Lakeshore), and K (Lakeview) Builders continue to advance projects through design and permitting. The DCRC, comprised of City staff and Mountain House Developers, has approved the following residential designs:
Lennar: Four home designs in Neighborhood J
Taylor Morrison: Two home designs in Neighborhood J
Richmond American Homes: Housing plans for Neighborhood K Century Communities: Housing plans for Neighborhoods J and K Rurka Homes: Two projects in Neighborhood I and one project in Neighborhood J Lennar Homes – Trimark sites
Lennar Homes purchased the three sites that Trimark/Sunchaser received Council approval in 2024 for proposed land use change from Commercial to Residential. Design review for architecture and landscaping has been completed:
13 home designs within two separate sites in Neighborhood F (Tracts 4210 and 4211) Four home designs in Neighborhood H (Tract 4212)
Infrastructure and Civil Improvements
Neighborhood A7 – Tract 4040 (College Park Area) Tripointe continues to construct civil, joint trench, streetlight, and corridor landscape improvements. Construction of the main line pressure reducing valves in neighborhood E has started.
Neighborhoods A5 – Tract 3609 and B1 – Tract 3610 (College Park Area) Grading, civil, joint trench, and streetlight improvement plans are approved and under construction. The A5 mini park plans and the A5 landscape corridor plans have been approved and construction has started on both of these projects.
Neighborhood B4 – Tract 4099 (Near Delta College)
Grading and civil improvement plans are approved. The large-lot final map has been approved and recorded. Joint trench and streetlight plans, along with remaining final map components, are currently under review.
Neighborhoods B6, B7, and B8 – Tract 3619 (College Park Area) Landscape corridor plans are approved and under construction.
Neighborhood B11 – Tract 3618 (South of Byron Road)
The Phase 2 final map has been approved, and improvements are currently under construction.
Item 9.4
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3 Neighborhood F – Tracts 4210 and 4211 (South of Town Center and Mountain House Parkway) Grading, civil, joint trench, and streetlight improvement plans and the landscape guidelines are approved, and construction is underway. The in-tract landscape plans are under review. Staff is working with the developer to complete the review of the final maps and prepare improvement agreements.
Neighborhood H – Tract 4212 (Questa Village Area)
Grading and civil improvement plans and landscape guidelines are approved. Lennar has started construction on tract 4212. The joint trench, streetlight and in-tract landscape plans remain under review.
Staff is working with the developer to complete the review of the final maps and prepare improvement agreements.
Neighborhood H – Tract 4216 (Questa Village Area)
Grading, Phase 1 civil, joint trench, streetlight, and phase 2 civil plans are approved. The final map was approved by City Council on October 22, 2025. Phase 2 joint trench, streetlight, and phase 3 civil plans remain under review.
Neighborhood I (Lakepoint Area)
Rough grading, civil, joint trench, and streetlight plans for Tracts 4194 and 4200-4202 are approved and under construction. Staff is reviewing plans for the Lake I, neighborhood I sanitary sewer and storm drain pump station, along with civil and utility plans for Tracts 4191-4193, 4198, 4199, and 4265. Final maps are also under review, and staff is clearing conditions of approval and preparing improvement agreements.
Neighborhood J (Lakeshore Area)
The neighborhood J off-site arterial landscape and railroad buffer landscape improvement plans have been approved. Phase 1 open space park plans, Neighborhood J park plans, and the neighborhood J mini park plans remain under review. Vertical construction and site development continue, with model homes open to the public. Full buildout is anticipated by spring 2027.
Neighborhood K (Lakeview Area)
In-tract landscape plans have been approved and are under construction.
Commercial and Community Development
Tulip Kids (Questa Village – Neighborhood Commercial)
Planning approval was granted by San Joaquin County in May 2024. The owner has indicated an intent to sell the property rather than proceed with construction.
Mountain House Shopping Center (Hansen Village – Neighborhood Commercial) All City reviews are complete. The applicant is coordinating with the San Joaquin County Building Division for permit issuance, as the project predates City incorporation. Site development activities commenced in February and are ongoing.
Wicklund Crossing (Wicklund Village – Neighborhood Commercial) Planning approval and Design Consistency Review Committee approval are complete. Civil and landscape plans have been approved and building plans have been finalized.
Building permit fees and applicable development impact fees, including the Community Facilities Fee (CFF) and Transportation Impact Fee (TIF), have been calculated and provided to the developer; however, these Item 9.4
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4 fees have not yet been paid. The developer has requested consideration of a development impact fee deferral.
A Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) deferral program was introduced to the City Council on February 24, with a second reading on March 25 where it was adopted. The program becomes effective 30 days following adoption (April 24).
Mustang Square (Commercial Development)
Construction activities continue at the broader Mustang Square site under San Joaquin County Building Division oversight.
Confirmed tenants include Starbucks, Chipotle, Domino’s Pizza, Nékter Juice Bar, Wingstop, Vijithea Indian Super Market, and ARCO.
Self-Storage Project – Neighborhood H (General-Commercial Zoning) U-Stor-It has proposed a three-story self-storage facility on a site zoned General-Commercial, which allows for a range of commercial and service-oriented uses. Design and entitlement materials are currently under City review, and revisions have been requested prior to completing the review.
Zaytech Academy – 230 S. Sterling Drive
The property owner is seeking Planning approval for the private school that is a primary tenant in the existing building on the site. The proposed project includes outdoor recreation facilities, which are associated with the school operation, on the parcel located immediately to the north that is under the same ownership. The application, submitted in early February, is under review now. Code Enforcement action is pending to address the unsafe outdoor recreation activities, including archery.
Key Infrastructure Projects
Grant Line Road
Pulte is constructing Grant Line Road Phase 5 frontage improvements for Neighborhoods B6, B7, and B8 (Tract 3619). Work includes traffic signal modifications at De Anza Boulevard and Prosperity Street.
Central Parkway and Great Valley Parkway Arterials (North of Byron Road) The bridge and approach roadways are open to the public. The acceptance of the civil, joint trench, and streetlight improvements along Central Parkway phase 1 and the Bridge is anticipated to be completed in late spring 2026. Landscape construction along Central Parkway continues with intermittent lane closures and traffic restrictions in active work zones. Civil, joint trench, streetlight, and landscape construction along Great Valley Parkway continues. Work on the north of Byron Road arterial is expected to continue through 2026.
Traffic Signals – Central Parkway at Main Street and Arturo Boulevard Traffic signal infrastructure was installed in late January. The intersection is now in full operation as of March 30.
Todar Mal Parkway (Mountain House Parkway North of Byron Road) The civil improvement plans have been approved. The bridge, joint trench, and streetlight improvement plans are under review.
Item 9.4
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5 Railroad Crossing Improvements – Byron Road at Great Valley Parkway and Mountain House Parkway Union Pacific Railroad has approved the proposed at-grade crossing improvements. A public hearing in support of CPUC approval was held at the November 12, 2025, City Council meeting. Staff and the developer are responding to supplemental documentation requests from the CPUC and Union Pacific Railroad. The supplemental civil plans are currently in review.
Water Quality Basin 1
Improvement plans have been approved. Construction is anticipated to start early summer 2026.
Byron Highway Rehabilitation Project
City staff is coordinating with the developer on concept plans for rehabilitation and roadway improvements along Byron Road.
Central Community Park – Dog Park
Plans have been approved, and construction is underway. Completion is anticipated in summer 2026.
Central Community Park – Tennis Complex
Plans have been approved, and construction is underway. Court concrete slabs have been poured.
Completion is anticipated in summer 2026.
Central Community Park – Amphitheater
City staff is coordinating with project designers and developers through the design review process. Site preparation and construction activities are underway, with overall completion anticipated in the second half of 2026.
Veteran’s Liberty Garden
The Veteran’s Liberty Garden improvement plans have been approved.
Town Center Phase 3
The civil, joint trench, streetlight, and landscape plans for Main Street phase 3 and Raphale Street are currently in review.
Residential Developments Summary
Neighborhoods B9-B10 – Tentative Subdivision Map
A tentative subdivision map has been proposed to subdivide approximately 35 acres into 299 residential lots, zoned R-M and R-MH. City staff is preparing draft conditions of approval and coordinating with the applicant on the annexation process. City Council consideration will occur once the application advances.
Shea Homes – Rivani Site
City staff is assisting Shea Homes with architectural and landscape plan review, which is nearing completion. Site development activities are underway, with vertical residential construction expected to follow. The project includes 266 residential lots, zoned Medium-Density Residential on an approximately 30-acre site.
Lennar / Trimark Sites (Tracts 4210, 4211, and 4212)
Lennar is developing three (3) residential tracts that were rezoned in September 2024:
Item 9.4
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6 Tract 4210: 106 lots located near Central Parkway and Main Street Tract 4211: 143 lots located near Mountain House Parkway and Arnaudo Boulevard Tract 4212: 81 lots located west of Great Valley Parkway and Kelso Road Planning, engineering, and permitting activities are ongoing across the three tracts.
General Plan and Development Code Updates
A community forum was held on October 2, 2025, to support preparation of the City’s first comprehensive General Plan. The forum included interactive exercises to gather public input on land use, community priorities, and growth considerations.
Project documentation, including the Existing Conditions Report and Public Outreach Summary, will be available on the General Plan webpage.
City staff is also working with the project consultant, De Novo Planning Group, to incorporate an Economic Development Element into the General Plan, supported by Kosmont Companies as authorized by the City Council.
Additional information regarding the General Plan update is available on the City’s website:
https://www.mountainhouseca.gov/381/General-Plan.
Housing Element
The Housing Element consultant, PlaceWorks, hosted the first public workshop in the Council Chambers on April 2, 2026. Approximately 20 members of the public attended. Placeworks will be conducting a study session on the Housing Element with the City Council at the April 29, 2026 City Council Meeting.
Development Code
The amended Title 9 ordinance was presented to the City Council for consideration at the March 25, 2026, meeting, where it was approved 5-0. The second reading is scheduled for April 8, 2026. Key updates include revisions to sign standards, Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations, Home Occupations, certain residential setbacks, and short-term rental regulations.
Public Works
Red-Light Camera System
The City has approved all 14 red-light camera design and construction plans. A pre-construction meeting has been completed. One approach remains under review pending approval of a Utility Encroachment Permit from San Joaquin County.
The City anticipates initiating the required two-month public warning period beginning April 30, 2026, or early May 2026, based on phased implementation. Following this period, full enforcement is expected to begin in late June or July 2026.
On-Call Services – Small and Medium Maintenance & Construction The City has coordinated with regional agencies and the State to ensure compliance with the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA). Updates have been incorporated into the Financial Management Manual and Purchasing Policy.
Item 9.4
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7 This approach is intended to streamline delivery of small- and medium-scale projects while maintaining appropriate controls, transparency, and fiscal accountability. Staff will return to the City Council on April 29, 2026, to confirm compliance and request approval of updated procedures.
On-Call Services – Design, Grants & Geotechnical
Following approval of the Master Consultant Agreement (MCA), staff is developing task orders for priority projects to support efficient implementation. Two potential projects are currently being developed.
Traffic Calming and Truck Routes
Staff continues to coordinate with developers to identify least-impactful truck routes and document preconstruction roadway conditions to ensure accountability for any damage.
Wastewater Surveillance Monitoring
Attachment A illustrates normalized pathogen levels detected through the City’s wastewater monitoring program.
Data shows periodic variability with no sustained increases. This program continues to serve as a proactive public health monitoring tool.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Pathogen Levels for City of Mountain House Wastewater Treatment Plant Item 9.4
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Item 9.4
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Thursday, March 26, 2026 - SJCOG Board of Directors
555 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
Adoption of the Development Code Ordinance - 2nd reading Adoption of Caltrans LAPM Chapter 10
Federal and State Legislative Platform - Zoom presentation by Foley & CPPG CMAQ EV Charger Station Project MOU with SJC
Consider Date Change for Veteran's Event
SB 707 Update
PFC Agenda Item
Overview of City Elections Process
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, YAC
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
April 22nd to April 24, 2026, CalCities Leaders Summit
Sacramento, CA
Thursday, April 23, 2026 - SJCOG Board of Directors
555 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202 at 4:00 p.m.
April 24, 2026, El Dorado Town Center Tour
El Dorado Town Center
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - Special City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 5:30 p.m.
Closed Session
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
National Fentanyl Awareness Day Proclamation
CUPCCA Resolution
Review 2026 Meeting Dates
Public Hearing - EIR Grant Line Road Roundabouts
Neighborhood F - Tract 4210 Final Map (Lennar)
Neighborhood F - Tract 4211 Final Map (Lennar)
Neighborhood H - Tract 4212 Final Map (Lennar)
Cooperative Agreement for FFE (Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment) Town Hall Improvements CalGREEN Solid Waste Ordinance - Cityhood
Transit Feasiblity Study Adoption
Water Update Presentation
Amendment/CCO to Inframark Contract - Maintenance & Repairs Item 10.1
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PFC Public Hearing
Public Hearing CFD IA 13
Federal and State Legislative Platform - Policy Adoption Discussion Item on Housing Element
Saturday, May 2, 2026 - City Event: Bike Rodeo
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Main Street
Saturday, May 9, 2026 - City Event: Kite Festival
6 - 9 p.m. Central Community Park
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - YAC
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Special Budget Study Session
Board Chambers at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
Recognition of Senior Health and Wellness Expo Sponsor
Parks Restrooms – Policy and Action Item to Award Contract and appropriate funds Saturday, May 16, 2026 - City Event: Music in the Park (Tentative) 6 - 8 p.m. Central Community Park
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
Award contract for Plan Checking and Construction Management Services Housing Element
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - YAC
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Valley Link Board Meeting
2:00 p.m. Board Chambers
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
5:30 PM - Rosenberg Rules of Order Training
Budget Adoption and Policies
Item 10.1
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Thursday, June 11, 2026 - CalCities Central Division General Membership Meeting Friday, June 12, 2026 - City Event: Central Park Cinema 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. Central Community Park
Saturday, June 20, 2026 - City Event: Juneteenth
Central Community Park - 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monday, June 15th - Friday, July 24th 2026 City Event: YAC Summer Camp 11:00 am - 2:00 p.m. - Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Unity Center Sports Week: 6/15 - 6/19 (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Health & Safety Week: 6/22 - 6/26 (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Break: 6/29 - 7/3
Science & Innovation Week: 7/6 - 7/10 (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Arts & Crafts Week: 7/13 - 7/17 (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Career Development Week: 7/20 - 7/24 (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
Thursday, June 25, 2026 - SJCOG Board of Directors
555 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - State of the City
Time/Location TBD
Saturday, July 4, 2026 - City Event 4th of July Parade/Celebration 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Central Parkway and Central Community Park Tuesday, July 7, 2026 - YAC
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting - Canceled Friday, July 10, 2026 - City Event: Central Park Cinema 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. - Central Community Park
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Item 10.1
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ITEM
Saturday, July 25, 2026 - City Event: Music in the Park 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Central Community Park
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 - City Event: National Night Out 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Central Community Park
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - YAC
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 14, 2026 - City Event: Central Park Cinema 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. Central Community Park
Saturday, August 22, 2026 - City Event: Music in the Park 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Central Community Park
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
Thursday, August 27, 2026 - SJCOG Board of Directors
555 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202 at 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - YAC
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Item 10.1
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ITEM
Thursday, September 10, 2026 - CalCities Central Division General Membership Meeting Location/Time TBD
Saturday, September 12, 2026 - City Event: Multi Cultural Celebration 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Central Community Park
Saturday, September 26, 2026: City Event: Senior Health and Wellness Fair 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Central Community Park
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - City Council Meeting - Canceled Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
Wednesday, September 23rd - Friday, September 25, 2026 CalCities Annual Conference Anaheim, CA
Thursday, September 24, 2026 - SJCOG Board of Directors 555 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202 at 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 - YAC
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 - Valley Link Board Meeting 2:00 p.m. Board Chambers
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
Thursday, October 22, 2026 - SJCOG Board of Directors
555 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Item 10.1
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ITEM
Friday, October 30, 2026 - City Event: Spooky Safety Stroll 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Town Hall Lobby/Board Chambers
Saturday, November 7, 2026 - City Event: Veteran's Day Luncheon 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Town Hall Board Chambers
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 - YAC
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
Wednesday, November 25, 2026 - Holiday No Meeting Scheduled Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 3, 2026 - SJCOG Board of Directors
555 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202 at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 2026 - City Event: Holiday Light Parade/Tree Lighting 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Central Park Way and Town Hall Plaza
Tuesday, December 8, 2026 - YAC
Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 9, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM
Thursday, December 10, 2026 - CalCities Central Division General Membership Meeting Location/Time TBD
Item 10.1
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Saturday, December 12, 2026 - City Event: Breakfast with Santa 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Unity Center
Wednesday, December 23, 2026 - Holiday No Meeting Scheduled Board Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Item 10.1
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