A pair of bills that would modernize the Brown Act passed a key
Senate committee this week as lawmakers in both parties
acknowledged the need to address concerns raised by local
governments.
SB 239 by Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley), sponsored by CSAC,
passed the Senate Local Government Committee Wednesday. It would
allow members of advisory bodies to meet remotely, without making
their remote location (typically their home) open to the public.
c. The bill addresses concerns raised by county leaders, as more
than 80% of counties report challenges in recruiting and
retaining advisory body members and over 90% report challenges in
simply reaching a quorum.
The committee also approved SB 707 by Committee chair Sen. Maria
Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles). That measure would make several
changes to the Brown Act, including extending several sunset
dates on Brown Act laws, modifying those laws, and making new
changes that apply to all Brown Act bodies, including
requirements for interpretation services, translating agendas,
and two-way audiovisual participation.
Counties are committed to ensuring every citizen has the ability
to participate in government. But local governments fear SB 707’s
current language would add expensive new mandates that will be
difficult to implement and increase the risk of subjecting
elected officials or staff to harassment. And as counties brace
for federal funding cuts, this is the wrong time to add even more
unfunded state mandates to budgets buckling under severe
pressures.
“While we believe these issues are noble and it is a worthy goal,
we do have some technical and fiscal concerns about some of the
requirements,” CSAC President and Inyo County Supervisor Jeff
Griffiths testified at Wednesday’s hearing.
Several committee members pointed to those apprehensions and
asked the author to address them as the bill advances.
“These are very big concerns in my district around implementation
and cost, and we need to resolve them as we go forward,” said
Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo), a former West Sacramento
mayor who abstained on SB 707.
Durazo acknowledged the good intentions of her bill’s supporters
and opponents alike. “Everybody’s trying to figure out how to do
this,” she said, referring to how best to balance concerns of
cost, safety and time commitment with citizens’ rights to
participate in government. Durazo committed to working with both
sides to move her bill forward.
There are many good provisions in this bill, and CSAC is ready to
work with Sen. Durazo and our local government partners to find
common-sense solutions that address our concerns.
