New Executive Order Enhances Government’s Ability to Respond to COVID-19

Today, March 12, 2020, Governor Newsom issued an executive order further enhancing state and local governments’ ability to respond to COVID-19. Of particular interest to water districts and other public agencies, paragraph 11 of the executive order relaxes certain requirements under the Brown Act and Bagley-Keene Act, to allow state and local legislative bodies to hold meetings via teleconference. However, public agencies must still comply with certain noticing requirements and provide one publicly accessible location from which members of the public can observe and offer public comment.

For details, public agencies should carefully consult the full executive order, which can be found here. Additional information about the executive order can also be found here.

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 and Jessica Diaz, Associate