Senate Bill (SB) 707
The New Brown Act
Presented by:
Administration
Purpose behind SB 707
Enhances public access, strengthens transparency, and expands participation in local government meetings.
Expands teleconferencing for members
Requires remote public participation
Increases language access and inclusivity
Establishes specific rules, timelines, and requirements
Eligible Legislative Body
[Govt. Code § 54953.4]
Applies to:
City councils (30,000+ population)
County boards of supervisors (30,000+ population)
City councils in counties (600,000+ population)
Certain special district boards (if thresholds are met) City of Visalia
Council is the only eligible legislative body
Commissions and committees are not subject to the new requirements
Key Requirements
Remote participation
Technology disruption policy
Language access
Community outreach
Website and agenda access
updates
The law provides for a maximum of three language thresholds.
The City of Visalia met the applicable requirement for Spanish.
Language Access Requirements
Translated agendas must be publicly posted.
Space provided for community-posted translations
Public Access
[Govt. Code § 54953.4(b)(3)(A)]
Posting Requirements
[Govt. Code § 54953.4(c)(3)-(4)]
Interpretation & participation
[Govt. Code § 54953.4(b)(2)(A)-(C)]
Agendas must be translated into all “applicable languages” Based on State-defined thresholds
Agenda Translation
[Govt. Code § 54953.4]
Accessible meeting webpage with instructions
Clear access to agendas, participation options, and translations Allow (non-disruptive)
live translation
Provide reasonable accommodations
(space, time, equipment)
Outreach
Requirements
Focus on reaching underrepresented and non-English-speaking communities.
This includes providing translated materials and making information accessible so all residents can participate.
Reasonable efforts
SB 707 allows local discretion in how outreach is conducted.
There is no legal requirement to target specific groups, giving the City flexibility to tailor efforts to community needs.
Law provides flexibility
1. 2.
Council input will help identify priority groups for outreach and engagement.
Examples include media serving non-English
speakers and civic, neighborhood, and community
Organizations.
Council guidance
3. Govt. Code § 54953.4(b)(3)(C)
SB 707 – Internet Disruption Policy
[Govt. Code § 54953.4(b)(1)(A)(i)(I)]
Closed Session
Council may convene into closed session during disruption If Disruption Exceeds One Hour
• Resume to adjourn, or
• Continue with findings:
Good faith efforts were made to restore service
Public interest outweighs remote participation Internet Disruption Protocol
Open session must be pause immediately
Cannot resume until:
Issue is resolved, or
One hour has passed, whichever comes first
Teleconferencing
&
Remote Participation Requirements
Member Teleconferencing
Traditional Brown Act
[Govt. Code § 54953(b)]• Locations posted & open to public• Quorum within jurisdiction• In-person participation required COVID-Era Rules
[Govt. Code § 54953.8 – 54953.8.7]• No location posting required• Fully remote meetings allowed• Real-time public access & comment SB 707 (Just Cause & Disability)
[Govt. Code § 54953(c) & Govt. Code § 54953.8]• No location posting required• Majority within jurisdiction• Two-way remote participation required Remote Participation Requirements
[Govt. Code § 54953.4]
Two-way telephonic service, OR audiovisual platform required Real-time public comment required
Equal Participation Required:
Same time limits as in-person speakers
Same ability to address the Council
Requirements apply to City Council meetings as an eligible legislative body and are effective July 1, 2026
Responding to Disruptive Behavior (SB 707)
Disruptive participants may be removed
Applies to in-person and remote (e.g., zoom disruptions)
AUTHORITY TO ACT
PROCESS & EXCEPTIONS
MAINTAINING ORDER
SB 707 affirms the presiding officer’s authority to maintain order by addressing disruptive conduct in meetings, whether in person or remote. Actions must be based on behavior, not speech content, and meetings must remain accessible.
Warning required before removal
Exception: true threat of force
Remote participants may be muted or removed
Room may be cleared and re-opened to appropriate participants Cannot adjourn to an unannounced location (legal precedent)
Thank
You!