Governor Further Relaxes Brown Act Meeting Requirements

On March 17, 2020, Governor Newsom issued another executive order designed to further relax Brown Act meeting requirements to implement social distancing in response to COVID-19. Among other changes, Executive Order N-29-20 suspends the requirement that local agencies must provide a location for members of the public to comment in-person. Local agencies must still enable public participation through telephonic or other electronic means, but agencies no longer have to make a physical location open to the public. The latest executive order also adds a requirement that when conducting meetings via teleconference, public agencies must implement a procedure for receiving and “swiftly resolving” requests for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For details, public agencies should carefully consult the full executive order, or contact their Brownstein attorney.

Update: Gov. Newsom issued a third executive order on March 21, 2020 further clarifying Brown Act requirements. For more information visit our post here.

Jena Shoaf Acos, Associate, Mack Carlson, Associate and Jessica Diaz, Associate