Understanding SB 707 -
The Brown Act
Modernization Act
City Council Special Meeting
June 15, 2026
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization Act
What is the Ralph M. Brown Act?
• California’s open-meetings law (enacted 1953)
• SB 707 provides changes to the Ralph M. Brown
Act to fold in modernization and technology
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization Act
Applicability
• SB 707 applies to “eligible legislative bodies”
defined as:
• City Council of a city with a population of 30,000 or more
• City Council of a city located in a county with a
population of 600,000 or more
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization
Modernized Changes
• SB 707 is intended to modernize public meeting
requirements to improve public engagement and
accessibility
• Remote access used by more community members
• Need for reliable, equitable participation
• Statewide push for accessibility
• Translated agendas, translation services, public bulletin board
• Procedures for technology interruption and broadcast
restoration
• Two-way, real-time captioning and call-in options
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization Act
Modernized Changes
• SB 707 revises and extends the Brown Act’s
alternative teleconferencing provisions through
January 1, 2030
• Establishes a framework for just cause and emergency
circumstances
• Codifies updated accessibility and procedural safeguards for hybrid meetings
• Statewide push for accessibility under ADA
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization Act
Technology Interruption Procedure: Required Recess
• No further City Council action during recess
• Attempt in good faith to resume service for a minimum of 1 hour
• Reconvene and make findings by roll call vote to adopt a finding on the record that verifies good faith effort and proceed with the meeting to serve the public interest rather than further delay
• Alternative continuance – if technology cannot be restored the body must continue the affected items to a future, specified time and date or adjourn and re-notice the remaining agenda items
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization Act
Improvements to Public Interface
• Clear online instructions to access City Council
Meeting by Zoom, make language selection.
• Increased outreach announcing upcoming
meetings.
• Wordly implemented to provide translation on
site.
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization Act
Technology Upgrades Underway
• Updated screen displays in San Pablo City Council
Chambers
• Backup internet
• Zoom and Granicus, Legislative Agenda System,
integration to accommodate public, remote, two-
way participation, close caption and translation
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization Act
Timeline
• SB 707 is effective July 1, 2026
• Certain provision have already been implemented
in preparation for this date
• Additional refinement of technology will continue
to reduce virtual participant delay
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization Act
Staff Recommendations:
1. Receive and file information; no action required.
• City Council may deliberate or ask questions of staff under the Study Session format.
2. Approve Resolution to adopt the Administrative
Policy Pertaining to Disruptions of the City’s
Telephone or Internet Services During a City
Council Meetings
SB 707 – The Brown Act Modernization Act
Questions or Comments