Title
a. Adopt a Resolution to authorize all County Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to teleconference pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6;
b. Receive a report on Senate Bill 707, the Brown Act Modernization Act; and,
c. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt a resolution to authorize all County Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to teleconference pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6;
b. Receive a report on Senate Bill 707, the Brown Act Modernization Act; and,
c. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
California approved approximately 27 changes to the Brown Act in the last legislative session. These changes range from mundane to the exceptionally complex. For example, the Brown Act now contemplates 10 teleconferencing schemes instead of Ralph Milton Brown’s one and only teleconferencing option. Also, the State created new requirements for the County of Monterey relating to public accessibility in the form of “Eligible Legislative Bodies.”
Following the presentation, the Board will be asked to consider whether to adopt a resolution to authorize all the County’s Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to use teleconferencing pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6. Importantly, this resolution is only the first step for Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to teleconference under this code section - each subsidiary body will need to have at least one more in-person meeting to authorize teleconferencing. The Office of County Counsel encourages each subsidiary body to contact their assigned County Counsel attorney to ask questions. Pursuant to law, this authorization expires after six months, so this item will likely appear before the Board consistently.
The Board will need to next adopt a new resolution on or before July 7, 2026.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved as to form.
FINANCING:
Receiving this report produces no financial impact. The costs of SB 707 are currently unknown.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
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.
Prepared by: Shane Eben Strong, Deputy County Counsel, Ext. 3558
Approved by: Kelly Donlon, Chief Assistant County Counsel, Ext. 5313
Attachments:
1. Senate Bill 707, January 13, 2026, Public, Abridged Presentation
2. Draft Resolution