Senate Bill 707
(Brown Act Amendments):
Technology Disruption Policy
and Public Outreach and
Interpretation Policy Adoption
Martin McTaggart
City Clerk
Recommendation
1. Adopt a Resolution to approve the City’s Technology
Disruption Policy;
2. Adopt a Resolution approving the City’s Public
Outreach and Public Interpretation Assistance
Practices; and
3. Receive a presentation on Senate Bill 707 (SB 707),
which made extensive amendments to the Brown
Act, and its impacts on the City’s legislative bodies
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Background
• SB 707 was signed into law on October 3, 2025.
• Intended to expand pandemic-era rules with a permanent framework for hybrid meetings, increase remote access,
and enhance public participation.
• Complex legislation, cities and other jurisdictions are working on understanding its impact and
implementation.
• Applicable to City of San Mateo (Population Threshold Met)
• Key Implementation Dates: January 1, 2026 & July 1, 2026 3 of 14
Provisions Effective January 1, 2026
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Requirement
Distribution of Brown Act and Meeting Locations to
Officials (Government Code Section 54952.7)
Action
All Council Members and Commissioners received a copy of the Brown Act and Meeting Locations. New appointees or
elected officials will receive this when they are sworn in.
Requirement
Verbal Report on Department Head Compensation
(new) and Executive Compensation (Government
Code Section 54953(d)(3)(A))
Staff must provide a verbal summary to the City Council prior to final action. This summary must occur outside of the Consent Calendar.
Action
Provisions Effective January 1, 2026
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Requirement
ADA Accommodations for Legislative Body Members
(Government Code Section 54953(c)
Action
Legislative body members may participate remotely in any meeting as a reasonable accommodation for a disability.
Individual not required to notice their location on the agenda, and their presence will be treated as if they are appearing in person.
Requirement
Social Media Communications by Legislative Bodies
(Government Code Section 54952.2(b)(3)
This amendment removed the sunset provision regarding
utilizing social media to share or gather information.
Council Members can share and gather information but
can't discuss or comment on each other’s posts about
matters within the body’s jurisdiction.
Action
Remote Participation (Just Cause Expansion)
Revisions:
• Expanded eligibility (caregiving, contagious
illness, travel etc.);
• Up to 5 meetings per year; and
• No location disclosure required
Requirements:
• Quorum of legislative body must be at location;
• Audio and Video required;
• Minutes must reflect participating member; and
• Public must also be able to participate remotely
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Eligible Subsidiary Bodies
• Certain advisory bodies may meet remotely.
o Limited to advisory only bodies
(i.e. cannot take action on legislation, entitlements, grants, etc)
• Council must authorize each eligible subsidiary body to meet remotely by making findings and renewing every six months, the body must also approve
• Requirements for physical meeting location and public access. 7 of 15
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Provisions Effective July 1, 2026
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Requirement
Mandatory Remote Public Attendance
(Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(1)(A)(i)(l)(la))
Action
San Mateo has utilized hybrid services since returning to in person meetings. Future Blue Sky, Workshop Meetings, and State of the City will require remote public
attendance.
Requirement
Equal Opportunity for Remote Public Comment
(Government Code Section
54953.4(B)(1)(A)(i)(l)(ib)(la))
No change to the City’s current practices, as both in-
person and virtual speakers are currently allotted the
same amount of speaking time.
Action
Public Meeting Information and Translations
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Requirement
Public Meeting Information on Website
(Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(B))
Action
Meeting this requirement through agenda management
system and notification alert system, list of all scheduled meetings for the year on the public meeting portal.
Requirement
Public Location for Agenda Translations by the
Community (Government Code Section 54953.4(c)(3)-
(4))
Staff coordinating designated bulletin board next to the existing agenda posting board outside of City Hall. This bulletin board will be reserved for translated versions of City Council agendas and will include clear signage indicating its intended use.
Action
Technology Disruption Policy
• SB 707 requires City Council to adopt a policy regarding disruption of telephonic or internet services during meeting
o cannot be adopted on consent calendar
• If disruption blocks public access:
o Recess for at least 1 hour or until service restored, whichever is sooner
o Can meet in closed session during recess, if needed
• After 1 hour, Council must either:
o Adjourn the meeting
o Make findings (by roll call) to continue, confirming good faith efforts and proceeding outweighs loss of remote access
• Proposed policy achieves these requirements, effective July 1, 2026 if adopted.
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Language Access
• SB 707 requires legislative bodies to provide reasonable assistance to members of the public who wish to utilize interpretation services; San Mateo has an established process, agendas include language to request, additional time is provided.
• SB 707 requires translation of meeting agendas into “applicable languages”; for San Mateo, this includes Spanish beginning July 1, 2026
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Public Outreach
• SB 707 requires outreach to underrepresented and non-English speaking communities.
• City Clerk’s Office will develop and maintain a community outreach distribution list
• Agendas will be shared with organizations and community groups • Ongoing coordination to expand and keep list current
• Public can subscribe via the City’s website
• Proposed resolution included for Council consideration • Additional Council suggestions are welcome.
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Recommendation
1. Adopt a Resolution to approve the City’s Technology
Disruption Policy;
2. Adopt a Resolution approving the City’s Public
Outreach and Public Interpretation Assistance
Practices; and
3. Receive a presentation on Senate Bill 707 (SB 707),
which made extensive amendments to the Brown
Act, and its impacts on the City’s legislative bodies
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