CITY (�
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: January 12, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Steven Graham Pacifico, City Attorney
Item No. 13
SUBJECT: SB 707: Brown Act Modernization and 2026 Compliance Roadmap RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive and file the presentation regarding Senate Bill 707 ("SB 707"), discuss and provide direction to staff regarding the implementation of the City's 2026 Compliance Roadmap.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The Ralph M. Brown Act, which governs the open meeting requirements for local legislative bodies, has undergone significant revision through the passage of Senate Bill 707 (SB 707). The intent of SB 707 is to modernize teleconferencing rules, expand public access, and ensure language access for communities with high populations of non-English speaking residents.
SB 707 applies heightened standards for "Eligible Legislative Bodies," in jurisdictions with a population greater than 30,000. With a current estimated population of approximately 55,000, the City of Yucaipa's City Council qualifies as an Eligible Legislative Body and is therefore subject to these new state mandates. The law follows a phased implementation schedule beginning in early 2026.
The 2026 Compliance Roadmap for Yucaipa is divided into two distinct phases:
Phase 1: Effective January 1, 2026 Several updates are already in effect as of the start of the year:
Mandatory Distribution: The City must now provide a full copy of the Brown Act to all elected and appointed officials upon onboarding and following legislative updates.
Permanent Social Media Rules: Rules allowing officials to engage with the public online while prohibiting private "serial meetings" with other council members are now permanent.
Compensation Transparency: An oral report in open session is now required before taking final action on compensation for all "department heads," expanding beyond the previous requirement for just the City Manager.
Remote Participation Changes: Remote attendance for members due to disability is codified as a "reasonable accommodation". Additionally, "Just Cause" and "Emergency" tracks are merged into a unified framework with specific annual usage caps (5 uses per year for Yucaipa).
Phase 2: Effective July 1, 2026 The most significant operational changes for the City Council and subsidiary bodies begin in mid-2026:
Two -Way Public Access: One-way streaming is no longer sufficient; the City must provide live two-way telephonic or audiovisual access for all public meetings.
Technology Disruption Protocols: If remote access fails, the body must implement a mandatory recess of up to one hour to attempt restoration. Meetings may only continue without remote access if a formal roll -call finding is made that the public interest in proceeding outweighs the lack of access.
Language Access: Agendas must be translated into "applicable languages" spoken by at least 20% of residents when at least 20% of those residents speak English "less than very well". Current data indicates Yucaipa is nearing this threshold for Spanish translation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Implementation of Phase 2 may require investments in the City's digital infrastructure. Potential costs include: (i) Upgrading hardware and software in the City Council Chambers to support mandatory two-way public access; (ii) Potential ongoing costs for professional translation services for agendas and public outreach materials; and (iii) IT staff time for platform testing and accessibility checks.
Attachment(s):
1. SB 707: Brown Act Modernization - City of Yucaipa 2026 Compliance Roadmap (Presentation Slides)
Approved by:
ATTACHMENT 1
1 /8/2026
Q Intent of Senate Bill 707 ("SB 707")
Expand public access, modernize teleconferencing rules for elected officials, and ensure language access in communities with significant populations of non-English speaking residents. & Applicability
SB 707 applies to Yucaipa as an "Eligible Legislative Body" (Population > 30,000). Compliance begins with a phased rollout in 2026.
Phase 1: Jan 1, 2026
Phase 2: Jul 1, 2026
Training & Brown Act Distribution
Full Remote Two -Way Public Access
Updated Remote Participation Rules
Polices and Procedures for Technology Disruption
Social Media Rules Made Permanent
Language Access & Outreach
1 /8/2026
The Brown Act has evolved from a rigid "traditional' model requiring remote members to open their private locations to the public into a modernized hybrid framework that prioritizes digital accessibility. This transition, shaped by pandemic -era emergency rules, culminates in the 2026 standards under SB 707. •
AB361 Temporary
Pandemic -era flexibility for
remote meetings without
physical locations.
0 Expired/Sunsetting
3 0I0 SB'70'7DEFINITION
"Eligible Legislative Body"
Population > 30,000
©Effective Date
0 Phase 1 - January 1, 2026
Phase 2 - July 1, 2026
4 •
Interim Transition.
Consolidated rules testing "Just
Cause" and "Emergency'
scenarios.
SB 707
Unifies framework through 2030
Harmonizes remote rules
Transparency first model
Wh CITY OF YUCAIPA
OCurrent Estimate
Population-55,000
© Scope
Applies to City Council as the
Eligible Legislative Body
2 1 /8/2026
mKey Requirements
Compliance Actions
Mandatory Distribution
The City has previously provided a full copy of the Brown Act to all elected and appointed members but this is now mandatory.
Timing Requirements
Materials will be distributed immediately upon onboarding for new officials and promptly following any legislative updates for existing members.
Training Cadence
Add itionallythese updates will be incorporated into the annual ethics and Brown Act training schedule to ensure ongoing compliance certification.
1 /8/2026
f y Digital Engagement Protocols
Official conduct guidelines for elected members
Sunset Removed
Social media interaction rules (AB 992) are now codified as permanent law; no longer a temporary pilot program.
Permitted Engagement
Officials MAY engage with the public's posts on city matters (e.g., answering questions on a resident's post).
Strict Prohibition
Officials CANNOT respond to, like, share, or repost other council members' content on the same topic to avoid "serial meetings." 0 Compensation Transparency
Procedural requirements for compensation updates
Open Session Report Requirement
An oral report must be made in open session before taking final action on compensation.
Expanded Scope
Requirement now applies to all "department heads" (previously only required for the City Manager).
Required Details
The verbal report will include the position title, a summary of compensation elements, and any contract changes.
jFN
1 /8/2026
OAccommodations and Access
Requirements for remote participation
Reasonable Accommodation
Remote participation for Councilmembers is now fully
codified as a "reasonable accommodation" under the Act.
Quorum Count
Members participating remotely due to disability accommodations count toward the body's quorum.
A/V Requirements
Requires both audio and video participation, unless the disability specifically prohibits video use.
Platform Accessibility
Ensure platforms support captions and other disability -related supports. 0 Unified Standards for Remote Participation
Combined "Just Cause" and "Emergency" Provisions
Unified Framework
SIB 707 merges the prior "Just Cause" and "Emergency Circumstances" concepts into a single, permanent unified track for remote attendance.
Qualifying Reasons
Valid reasons now include family medical emergencies, childcare or caregiving needs, military service, and contagious illness.
Procedural Requirements
Members provide notice and public disclosure at the start of the meeting in accordance with local procedure.
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1 /8/2026
Remote Usage Limits
/ Compliance and Reporting
Applicable p.
Meeting Frequency Max Remote Uses / Year
Twice Monthly 5 per member
• , Central Tracking
•
Caps apply per legislative body and will be tracked by the City Clerk Annual Transparency
The City is required to publish a member -by -member utilization report annually to ensure accountability.
11 ®Public Transparency
Procedural requirements for remote participation
Adult Presence Disclosure
Remote members must explicitly disclose if any individuals over the age of 18 are present in the room with them, and state their relationship.
Timing of Announcement
Disclosure must be made during roll call and updated immediately if circumstances change during the meeting.
Clerk Recording
The City Clerk will record these specific disclosures in the official minutes of the meeting.
12 M.
1 /8/2026
Orderly Conduct
Protocols for maintaining meeting decorum
Authority to Remove
Clarifies statutory authority to remove disruptive remote participants to maintain the orderly conduct of the meeting.
The Warning Rule
The Chair must issue a specific warning before muting or disconnecting a disruptive user.
Neutral Application
Establish clear conduct rules (e.g., time limits, profanity) and apply them neutrally to all speakers.
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1 /8/2026
®Interactive Participation
Heightened requirements for Eligible Legislative Bodies Two -Way Interactive Access
The City must provide live two-way telephonic or audiovisual access for all public meetings, ensuring remote attendees can hear and be heard.
One -Way Streaming Insufficient
Passive live streams (e.g., YouTube broadcast only) no longer meet the statutory threshold for public participation under the heightened standards.
Accessibility Standards
Dial -in numbers and meeting links must be clearly posted on the agenda and tested prior to start to ensure barrier -free access. 15 QRestoration Procedures
Recovery Policy Required
Mandatory Pause
If remote access service fails, the legislative body must recess for up to an hourto attempt to restore the connection before adjourning.
Public Notification
Staff must immediately post real-time status updates on the meeting webpage and announce the delay on all available social channels.
Physical Access
The physical meeting room must remain open and accessible to the public during the entire recess period.
10 1 /8/2026
Legal Necessity
Requirements for continuing without remote access
The "Public Interest" Finding
If remote service is not restored after 1 hour, the Council may make a formal finding that the "public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the lack of remote access."
Roll Call Requirement
This finding must be adopted by a recorded roll call vote before any further business occurs.
Record Keeping
Record the finding verbatim in the minutes and post notice on the meeting recap page.
17 A© Language Access
Requirements for multilingual access
The 2o% Threshold
Agendas must be translated into all "applicable languages' which are defined as any non-English languages spoken by at least 20% of residents when at least 20% of those residents also report speaking English "less than very well."
Yucaipa Context
Based on current demographic information from the American Community Survey, Spanish is spoken by 18.8% of Yucaipa residents and of those 28.2% speak English "less than very well." Yucaipa is very close to meeting the threshold for mandatory Spanish translation of agendas.
Web Accessibility
Translated agenda packets must be posted on the meeting webpage concurrently with the English version.
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a
1 /8/2026
®Digital Accessibility
Engagement Requirements
Dedicated Webpage
Maintain a specific "Public Meetings" webpage. The interface and agenda page itself must be translated into applicable languages.
Active Media Outreach
Conduct proactive outreach to local media outlets that specifically serve non-English speaking populations.
Content Standards
Prominently post dial -in and AV instructions. Ensure archived recordings include closed captions.
19 Qt Training & Document Distribution Jan - Mar 2026
Distribute updated Brown Act copies to all officials
Review training schedule and compliance
oz Policy & Infrastructure Prep Apr - Jun 2026
City Council Consideration of Technology Disruption Policy Review Up -to -Date ACS/Census Data to Determine Translation Mandates Implement & Test Two-way Remote Public Access Systems
QPhase 2 Go -Live
Full "Eligible Legislative Body" Compliance:
Mandatory two-way public access active
1-hour recess protocol in effect
Continual Monitoring of ACS Data for Translation Mandate 20 10
1 /8/2026
Immediate next steps for implementation and compliance readiness:
.10 CityAttorney
Draft Technology Disruption Policy
Assist in Preparing Draft Findings
Contract Review for IT Vendors
Prepare Training for Council and Staff
21 &' City Clerk
Tracking Remote Participation Caps
Monitor ACS Data
Webpage Updates & Outreach.
IT
Platform Selection and Testing.
Accessibility Checks
Coordinate on Technology Disruption Policy
Assess Need for Council Chamber
Hardware Upgrades