CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JUNE 10, 2026 BUSINESS & LEGISLATIVE
SUBJECT: POLICY ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR DISRUPTION OF
TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE DURING PUBLIC MEETINGS,
PURSUANT TO SENATE BILL 707
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Brenda Pree, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
The Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings Policy (Attachment A) establishes procedures for responding to disruptions of telephonic or internet service that provide two-way remote public access to meetings of the City Council and legislative bodies of the City Council, as required by the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54953.4). The policy ensures transparency, public participation, and the continuation of meetings during technological disruptions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings Policy.
BACKGROUND:
On October 3, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 707, amending the Brown Act to expand public participation in local government meetings and modernize meeting requirements in response to advances in technology. Among the various new requirements, the City must provide hybrid public meetings through a two-way telephonic or video platform and formally adopt a policy (Attachment A) establishing procedures for addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet service during public meetings, including efforts to restore service.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Under SB 707, the most significant changes apply to an “eligible legislative body,” a new term and definition within the Brown Act. An eligible legislative body is defined as a city council in a city with a population of 30,000 or more or in a county with a population of more than 600,000. The Palm Springs City Council qualifies as an eligible legislative body
City Council Staff Report
June 10, 2026 -- Page 2
Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings Policy and is subject to the new provisions. Some provisions became effective on January 1, 2026, with the most significant changes taking effect on July 1, 2026.
The provisions effective on January 1, 2026, primarily address social media use, teleconferencing rules, and distribution of the Brown Act. Below summarizes each notable area of change:
Social Media Restrictions – Social media interaction restrictions that took effect in 2020 are made permanent with SB 707. The restrictions prohibit a majority of the members of a legislative body from using social media platforms to discuss among themselves official business, including making posts, commenting and even using digital icons known as “emojis.” This law also prohibits a member of the legislative body from responding 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 posted or shared by another member. Teleconferencing as a Reasonable Accommodation – SB 707 now allows a member of the legislative body with a disability to participate in a meeting by remote participation as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) or similar State laws.
Alternative Teleconferencing Rules – SB 707 revises and clarifies general rules that apply to all alternative teleconferencing options, including participation based on “Just Cause” and proclaimed State or local emergencies.
Mandatory Distribution of the Brown Act – Requires the City to provide a full copy of the Brown Act to all elected and appointment officials upon assuming office.
The most significant provisions of SB 707, effective July 1, 2026, focus on two-way remote attendance, meeting disruption procedures, community engagement, language access and website updates. These requirements include:
Two-Way Remote Attendance – The City must provide hybrid meetings through two- way telephonic service or two-way audiovisual platform. Disruption Procedures – The City must adopt a policy to establish procedures for addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet service during a meeting, including efforts to restore service (Attachment A).
Engagement with Underrepresented Communities - The City must take reasonable measures to encourage participation from the public, including underrepresented and non-English-speaking communities. The law provides discretion in determining how these efforts are implemented.
Language Translation and Interpretation – The City must translate agendas and instructions on how to participate into any language, other than English, spoken jointly City Council Staff Report
June 10, 2026 -- Page 3
Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings Policy by 20% or more of the total population of the city and 20% of that language who also speak English less than “very well.” The City must provide a physical location, within reasonable proximity to where the City's agendas are posted, accessible to the public for the public to post additional translated agendas. Additionally, the City must aid any member of the public who wishes to use a personal interpreter by giving them the space to accommodate the interpreter and extra time.
Website Updates - The City must maintain an accessible webpage dedicated to public meeting information, with a direct link from the City’s homepage. The City must also establish a system for electronically receiving and fulfilling requests for agendas and meeting documents.
City staff is currently working to implement all new SB 707 requirements by July 1, 2026.
The proposed policy reflects the meeting disruption procedures required under SB 707.
Specifically, the policy requires the City Council to recess and attempt to restore service for at least one hour if telephonic or internet access is disrupted. If service cannot be restored within that time, the City Council must conduct a roll-call vote confirming that good-faith efforts were made to restore access, and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the need for remote participation. Additionally, the policy outlines procedures for addressing attendee behavior that is disruptive or otherwise interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Brenda Pree
Information Technology: Larry Klingaman
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Legislative Body Meetings Policy