Brown Act Teleconferencing Comparison
Category Traditional Just Cause State of Emergency
Reason for Meeting No Reason Required Just Cause State of Emergency (State or Local)
Location Requirements for
Quorum Within jurisdiction
Quorum required in single physical
location quorum within jurisdiction
open to the public
No location requirement for
Quorum
Method of Member’s
Participation in
Teleconferenced Meeting
Call-in OR Audio Visual Audio-Visual Call in OR Audio-Visual Addt'l Opportunities for
Public Participation
For City Council Meetings Only
as of July 1, 2026 (subject to
narrow exceptions):
In-Person at teleconferencing
2-way audio-visual (public comment
OK by audio only), OR 2-way
telephonic and live webcasting of
meeting
2-way audio-visual (public
comment OK by audio only)
or
2-way telephonic
R
eason Must be Approved
by City Council No No Yes
Votes Must be Taken by
Roll Call
Yes
Yes Yes
Teleconference Location
Included on Agenda Yes No No
Required Course of Action
if Disruption Prevents
Broadcast of Meeting or
Public’s Ability to
Comment
For City Council Meetings Only
as of July 1, 2026 (subject to
narrow exceptions): Meeting
proceeds if Council
finds good
cause following 1 hr attempt to
restore connection to
internet/broadcast/telephone. But
meeting may not continue if there is
no ability for public to participate
from teleconferencing location.
F
or Other Meetings:
Meeting
may proceed without
internet/broadcasting (special
considerations for quasi-judicial
hearings).
But meeting may not
continue if there is no ability for
public to participate from
teleconferencing location.
For City Council Meetings Only as
of July 1, 2026 (subject to narrow
exceptions): Meeting may proceed
without
remote member's
participation if Council finds good
cause following 1 hr attempt to
restore internet/broadcast/telephone.
For Other Meetings:
Meeting
may
proceed without remote
member's participation (special
considerations for quasi-judicial
hearings).
For City Council Meetings
Only as of July 1, 2026
(subject to narrow
exceptions): Meeting may
proceed if Council finds good
cause following 1 hr attempt
to restore
internet/telephone.
For Other Meetings:
Meeting may proceed
without remote member's
participation (special
considerations for quasi-
judicial hearings).
Annual Limits None.
2 /year if body meets 1x month
5/ year if body meets 2x month
7/ year if body meets 3+ times/mo
None.
Attachment 3