Title
a. Renew approval and adoption of teleconferencing for all County of Monterey Eligible Subsidiary Bodies pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors: Renew approval and adoption of teleconferencing for all County of Monterey Eligible Subsidiary Bodies pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6.
SUMMARY:
Senate Bill 707, signed into law in October 2025 and known as the Brown Act Modernization Act, updated California's Ralph M. Brown Act (Gov. Code § 54950 et seq.) to modernize open meeting requirements and expand public access. This law added teleconferencing rules for specific Brown Act Legislative Bodies, such as Eligible Subsidiary Bodies. Pursuant to section 54953.8.6, the Board of Supervisors must adopt a resolution before an Eligible Subsidiary Body may teleconference using this Government Code section. The law also requires the Board of supervisors to readopt a resolution every six months thereafter.
DISCUSSION:
Government Code section 54953.8.6, as added by Senate Bill 707 (the Brown Act Modernization Act) defines Eligible Subsidiary Bodies as a Legislative Body exclusively serving in an advisory capacity and takes no final action on matters such as legislation, contracts, permits, entitlements, grants, or fund allocations. Further, Eligible Subsidiary Body specifically excludes Legislative Bodies with primary jurisdiction over sensitive topics like elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, library access restrictions, or taxes/spending. Section 54953.8.6 allows Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to conduct meetings via teleconference, subject to specific requirements. These requirements include designating at least one physical location within the parent legislative body's boundaries for in-person attendance by members of the public (with staff present), requiring remote Eligible Subsidiary Body members to appear on camera and audio, and obtaining necessary findings and approvals.
The parent legislative body, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, initially approved and authorized all County Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to utilize this teleconferencing option on January 13, 2026. Statutorily, the Board of Supervisors must renew a resolution every six months to perpetuate this option to its Eligible Subsidiary Bodies. Therefore, today’s action is necessary to continue this teleconferencing option and an identical item must come to the Board on or before six months from today’s approval.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Eligible Subsidiary Bodies have coordinated with the Office of County Counsel where appropriate.
FINANCING:
There is no known cost for implementing Eligible Subsidiary Body teleconferencing, aside from staff time to prepare this item.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Attract, retain, and diversify Eligibility Subsidiary Body membership.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals [Include one or two sentences referencing the Ordinance, Code, Board Order/Resolution, etc. in relation to this selection]:
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
If does not fall under any of the above Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals (Other):
_X___ Administrative This item relates to statutory compliance and governance requirements under the Ralph M. Brown Act, as amended by Senate Bill 707.
Link to the Strategic Plan:
<https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showdocument?id=139569>
Prepared by: Shane E. Strong, Deputy County Counsel
Approved by: Susan K. Blitch, County Counsel
Attachments: Draft Resolution