TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
PREPARED BY: Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
SUBJECT:
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Establishing A Virtual Participation Policy Pursuant to Senate Bill 707
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ABSTRACT
The State of California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), Open Meetings: Meetings and Teleconference Requirements, which revises the Ralph M. Brown Act's open meeting laws to add requirements impacting two major areas: 1) teleconferencing flexibility; and 2) accessibility requirements.
SB 707 requires all local legislative bodies, including the Murrieta City Council, to provide two-way remote public access to meetings and to adopt formal policies addressing disruptions of telephonic or internet services during City Council meetings. These provisions take effect July 1, 2026, and require City Council adoption.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4951 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Adopting A Virtual Participation City Council Policy Pursuant to Senate Bill No. 707.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
None.
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
This item aligns with the City Council's goal of maintaining a high performing organization that values fiscal sustainability, transparency, accountability and organizational efficiency relating to an administrative priority. In 2025, the City Council accepted the City Departments Administrative Priorities, including the City Clerk Department's procedural legal compliance requirements and engagement and participation.
DISCUSSION
The Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act) governs public meetings of legislative bodies and ensures that the public has the right to attend and participate in local government meetings.
On October 3, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 707 into law, which updates the Brown Act by modernizing teleconferencing rules and expanding public access requirements. The law builds on prior legislation that expanded re...
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