Regular-General Government # 32.
Board of Supervisors
County Counsel
- Meeting Date:
- 05/26/2026
- Brief Title
- Authorize Remote Participation by Advisory Bodies
From:
Philip J. Pogledich, County Counsel
Staff Contact:
Philip J. Pogledich, County Counsel, x8172
Supervisorial District Impact:
Countywide
Subject
Adopt resolution authorizing members of eligible subsidiary bodies, as defined by Senate Bill 707 (2025), to participate remotely in meetings through July 27, 2026. (No general fund impact) (Pogledich) (Est. Staff Presentation: 5 min)
Recommended Action
Adopt resolution authorizing members of eligible subsidiary bodies, as defined by Senate Bill 707 (2025), to participate remotely in meetings through July 27, 2026.
Strategic Plan Goal(s)
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Collaborative Community |
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Operational Excellence |
Reason for Recommended Action/Background
This Board item is essentially the same as items presented on January 27, 2026 and February 10, 2026, relating to remote meeting participation under Senate Bill 707 (“SB 707”). As explained in the staff report for those items, SB 707 amends the Ralph M. Brown Act to better address new technologies, remote participation, and public engagement in local government. Effective January 1, 2026, if authorized by legislative body that created it, an eligible subsidiary body may use a new teleconferencing option for its meetings. The Board adopted a resolution authorizing about a dozen County advisory committees to use this new option on January 27, and added additional advisory committees to the resolution on February 10. The purpose of this item is to authorize a limited number of additional subsidiary bodies--including the Emergency Medical Care Committee, Library Advisory Board, Local Behavioral Health Board, Transportation Advisory Committee--to use the new option if they meet all applicable requirements and decide by majority vote to use this option.
Under this new option, non-elected members of most advisory bodies will be able to meet entirely remotely without posting their individual locations. (Gov. Code § 54943.8.6.) This new option includes the following elements and requirements:
Under this new option, non-elected members of most advisory bodies will be able to meet entirely remotely without posting their individual locations. (Gov. Code § 54943.8.6.) This new option includes the following elements and requirements:
- It applies only to advisory bodies without any decisionmaking authority. Further, it does not apply to any advisory body with authority over elections, police oversight, privacy, library circulation, or taxes and related tax-spending proposals.
- The eligible subsidiary body must authorize remote participation by its members under Government Code section 54943.8.6 by majority vote.
- The eligible subsidiary body must designate at least one physical location within its jurisdiction that will be staffed and available for public participation. Members of the legislative body need not be present; the entire subsidiary body can participate remotely unless one or more members must be present at the physical location in lieu of staff to accommodate public participation (at least one person must be present).
- Members of a subsidiary body that elect to participate remotely must use technology that allows real-time, two-way communication (such as Zoom or Teams) for the duration of the meeting. There are no limits on how often a member may participate remotely.
- A member participating remotely must participate on-camera for the duration of the meeting unless it is technologically infeasible (e.g., when internet connectivity is limited) or if they have a qualifying disability that is sufficient to support off-camera participation as an accommodation. If technological problems limit or prevent on-camera participation, the affected member must announce that before turning off the camera.
- The designated physical meeting location must be included on the posted agenda. Remote locations do not need to be identified on the agenda and do not need to be open to the public (in contrast to the traditional Brown Act teleconferencing rules).
- To enable continued use of this new option, the Board of Supervisors or the legislative body that created the eligible subsidiary body (if other than the Board of Supervisors) must reauthorize remote participation by eligible subsidiary body members every six months. Specific findings are required, as detailed in Government Code § 54953.8.6(a)(4)(A)(i)-(iii).
- As with all meetings with remote participation by one or more body members, roll call votes are required. (Gov. Code § 54953(b)(1)(2)(A).)
Unless extended by the Legislature, these provisions sunset on January 1, 2030.
This Office continues to coordinate with other departments to extend this new option to other eligible subsidiary bodies over time. All advisory bodies with an interest in using the new option have (with this item and the two prior items) been presented to the Board for consideration.
This Office continues to coordinate with other departments to extend this new option to other eligible subsidiary bodies over time. All advisory bodies with an interest in using the new option have (with this item and the two prior items) been presented to the Board for consideration.
Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies)
HHSA staff assigned to the Commission on Adults and Aging and the IHSS Advisory Committee.
Fiscal Impact
No Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact (Expenditure)
- Total cost of recommended action:
- $
- Amount budgeted for expenditure:
- $
- Additional expenditure authority needed:
- $
- On-going commitment (annual cost):
- $ 0
Source of Funds for this Expenditure
- General Fund
- $0
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Pogledich | Phil Pogledich | 05/19/2026 08:59 AM |
| Berenice Espitia | Berenice Espitia | 05/19/2026 02:47 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Phil Pogledich
- Started On:
- 03/09/2026 09:21 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 05/19/2026