Introduced by Senator Durazo

Existing law, the Ralph M. Brown Act, requires, with specified exceptions, that all meetings of a legislative body, as defined, of a local agency be open and public and that all persons be permitted to attend and participate. 

Under SB 707:

• The expiration date in Government Code section 54952.2 has been deleted, and so the Act permanently allows members of a legislative body to use internet-based social media platforms to engage with the public on matters within their jurisdiction, so long as they do not deliberate or discuss business among themselves on such platforms.
• Agencies are required to provide a copy of the Brown Act to any person elected or appointed as a member of a legislative body.  (G.C. sec. 54952.7.)
• Existing law requires a legislative body, prior to taking final action, to orally report a summary of a recommendation for a final action on specified forms of compensation for a local agency executive, as defined, during the open meeting in which the final action is to be taken.  SB 707 requires the legislative body to make that oral report prior to taking final action on those specified forms of compensation for “a department head or other similar administrative officer of the local agency.”  (G.C. sec. 54953(d)(3).)
• While the Act’s “traditional” teleconferencing rules remain unchanged (G.C. sec. 54953(b)), 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 (G.C. sec. 54953.8.2), and (2) just cause allowances, including physical or family medical emergencies preventing in-person attendance and military service. (G.C. sec. 54953.8.3.)

This bill was approved by the Governor on October 3, 2025.

Status: Enacted. Effective 1/1/2026.