Open meetings: meeting and teleconference requirements.

Senator Durazo's legislation modernizes California's open meeting laws by expanding remote participation options and strengthening requirements for public access to local government meetings. The bill revises the Ralph M. Brown Act to require larger cities, counties and special districts to provide two-way telephonic or audiovisual participation options for the public during open meetings, while mandating agenda translations for communities with significant non-English speaking populations.

The legislation establishes detailed frameworks for different types of remote meetings, including provisions for health authorities, neighborhood councils, and multi-jurisdictional bodies to conduct teleconference sessions under specific conditions. Legislative bodies must maintain physical meeting locations for public attendance while offering remote participation options, though requirements vary based on the type of body and circumstances. The bill also updates rules for managing meeting disruptions to encompass both in-person and remote participants.

To enhance accessibility, affected agencies must translate meeting agendas into languages spoken by 20% or more of the local population with limited English proficiency. The legislation requires agencies to maintain dedicated public meeting webpages, implement electronic systems for agenda requests, and conduct outreach to traditionally underrepresented communities. These provisions aim to modernize public access while maintaining transparency and expanding participation opportunities.

The changes extend indefinitely the ability of legislative body members to engage in social media discussions about agency business, provided they do not constitute collective deliberation. The bill also modifies requirements for emergency meetings, closed sessions on compensation matters, and the timeline for submitting cease and desist letters regarding alleged violations. Most of the new teleconferencing provisions sunset on January 1, 2030, allowing for evaluation of their effectiveness.