Cal Cities, disability rights groups, and others team up for Brown Act bill

By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor,and Johnnie Pina legislative affairs lobbyist

A broad coalition of local government and disability rights organizations — including Cal Cities — are sponsoring a measure that would make some public meetings more accessible. SB 239 (Arreguín) would modernize the Brown Act, the state’s open meeting law, by removing the in-person requirement for some local advisory bodies.

These groups frequently weigh on issues impacting seniors, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and homeless youth. However, many struggle to make a quorum or have trouble recruiting and retaining members.

SB 239 would exclude some groups, such as law enforcement and budget oversight bodies, and elected officials. It also would require an in-person location for each meeting. Both the legislative body that establishes an advisory body and the advisory body itself would need to approve the waiver.

Requiring advisory bodies to meet in person can be a barrier to participation for a wide range of people, including rural Californians and single parents. During the pandemic, people who could not previously attend in-person meetings were able to meet remotely, increasing their access to leadership opportunities and providing agencies with more diverse feedback.

According to the bipartisan Little Hoover Commission, virtual public meetings increase participation for both state agencies and residents — almost always at a reduced cost. Two years ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill passed with overwhelming support that provides teleconferencing flexibility for state advisory bodies just like in SB 239.

SB 239 is one of over a dozen bills sponsored by Cal Cities this year. Cal Cities is also sponsoring measures that would reduce fire risk, resolve encampments faster, make recovery homes safer, address infrastructure challenges, and take on unlicensed short-term rental operators, copper wire theft, and forever chemicals.

How can my city support this measure?

The Legislature’s policy committees will be in full swing starting in mid-March. These meetings are great opportunities for city officials to voice their support. If your city would like to support SB 239, please reach out to your regional public affairs manager.