• Teleconferencing Updates SB 707 reorganizes and expands the teleconferencing provisions of the Brown Act, adding some uniformity to noticing, disclosure, accessibility, and public comment requirements for certain types of teleconferencing. For example, SB 707 revises and restates the existing teleconferencing provisions for states of emergency, just cause, and emergency circumstances, and expands coverage to include: (1) states of emergency declared by localities, and (2) just cause allowances, including physical or family medical emergencies preventing in-person attendance and military service. The new law also continues the availability of teleconferencing for neighborhood councils, student body community college associations, and student-run community college organizations. In addition, SB 707 would allow agencies to permit attendance by a member of the legislative body via teleconferencing as a reasonable accommodation under applicable law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Those attending in accordance with this section must still disclose any present adults and their relationship to them and participate via audio and camera, unless their disability prevents such. The new law also authorizes remote teleconference meetings by “eligible subsidiary bodies” of local agencies, as long as the subsidiary bodies comply with certain requirements. This compliance is defined as having at least one physical location for the meeting, requiring that members attending remotely appear on camera and requiring the legislative body that created the subsidiary body to make certain findings prior to authorizing fully remote meetings and at least every six months thereafter. Under SB 707, an “eligible subsidiary body” includes only advisory bodies that cannot take certain final actions and do not have primary subject matter jurisdiction on elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, library material restrictions, or taxing or spending proposals. Similarly, SB 707 allows remote teleconference meetings by “eligible multijurisdictional bodies” if certain requirements are met, including at least a quorum of the body participating from one or more physical locations that are open to the public and that members who participate remotely do not receive compensation for attendance. There are also limits on the number of times a member may participate remotely. Under the law, an “eligible multijurisdictional body” means a legislative body that includes representatives from more than one local agency, or a legislative body of a joint powers agency. Finally, SB 707 clarifies that the term “teleconference” does not apply where one or more members of a legislative body only watch or listen to a meeting via webcasting, without the ability to interactively speak and discuss. • Other Changes Copies of the Brown Act: Existing law encourages agencies to provide copies of the Brown Act to each member of a legislative body. SB 707 will now require agencies to provide a copy of the Brown Act to any person elected or appointed as a member of a legislative body.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker