On Thursday, March 12, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a comprehensive Executive Order N-25-20, part of which includes revisions to teleconferencing requirements under the Ralph M. Brown Act. The following are some key elements of the Order, under Paragraph 11:
- A local legislative body or state body is authorized to hold public meetings via teleconferencing and make public meetings accessible telephonically or otherwise electronically to all members of the public seeking to attend and to address the local legislative body or state body, and
- All requirements of the Brown Act expressly or impliedly requiring physical presence of members, personnel, or the public as a condition of participation in or quorum for a public meeting are waived.
-However, at least one physical location must be provided for the public to view and make public comment
-Please note that this is not a comprehensive summary and you should review the following with your legal counsel
Additional details on this Order, under Paragraph 11, can be viewed here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.12.20-EO-N-25-20-COVID-19.pdf.
The State urges that local bodies use sound discretion and to make reasonable efforts to adhere as closely as possible to the provisions of the Brown Act and other applicable local laws regarding the conduct of public meetings.