City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JULY 14, 2026 FROM: CITY CLERK WARDS: ALL
CITY ATTORNEY
SUBJECT: 2026 UPDATES TO THE BROWN ACT; SENATE BILL 707 ISSUE:
Receive and file a presentation on the 2026 updates to the Brown Act pursuant to Senate Bill 707.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Receive and file a presentation on the 2026 updates to the Brown Act pursuant to Senate Bill 707.
DISCUSSION:
Senate Bill 707, entitled “Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements,” was signed into law on October 3, 2025, and amended the Brown Act. The attached presentation highlights the major revisions. The following is a summary of provisions related to remote participation (teleconferencing) at a Brown Act meeting:
Teleconference Rules (Standard/Traditional) (Gov. Code 54953) Example: An elected official is on vacation and wishes to participate remotely (teleconference) from the vacation location.
Agendas must be posted at the teleconference physical location Each teleconference location must be listed on the meeting notice and agenda Each teleconference location must be accessible to the public, allowing for public comment.
At least a quorum of the members must participate from locations within the City.
All votes must be by roll call (oral, no electronic voting system).
Special issues for members with disabilities
Alternative Teleconference Rules (Just Cause) (Gov. Code 54953.8.3) Example: An elected official is ill and wishes to participate remotely without posting notice at the physical location.
At least a quorum of the members must participate in person from a singular physical location within the City and is open to the public Notification at the earliest opportunity possible, including at the start of a regular meeting, of need to participate remotely for just cause, including a general description of the “just cause”.
Audio & Visual Participation – must participate through both audio and visual technology.
Limited number of Meetings – “Just Cause” remote participation allowed for five meetings per year (because regular meetings occur twice per month) Meeting Minutes must include the reason to participate remotely. (Not required to disclose any medical diagnosis, disability, or personal medical information.) ”Just Cause” Means:
- Childcare or caregiving need of a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner - Contagious illness
- A need related to a physical/mental condition that is not a disability - Travel while on official business of the legislative body or other local agency - An immuno-compromised child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the member - A physical or family medical emergency that prevents a member from attending in person - Military service obligations
Special Issues for Elected Officials with Disabilities (Temporary or Permanent) Elected officials may participate in any meeting of the legislative body by remote participation as a reasonable accommodation.
The elected official shall participate through both audio and visual technology, except that any member with a disability (US Code Title 42, Section 12102) may participate only through audio technology if a physical condition related to their disability results in a need to participate off camera.
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.
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.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact from this report.
Prepared by: Susan Wilson, Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Donesia Gause, City Clerk
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
1. Presentation
2. Primer on Teleconferencing for City Council post SB 707 Rules of Procedure and Order of Business Review● Page 3