TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Executive Office
MEETING DATE: May 19, 2026
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Atlas Pearson
PHONE:
707-463-4441
ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: N/A
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Adoption of a Mendocino County Policy Establishing the Procedure for Addressing Disruptions that Prevent Remote Access During Ralph M. Brown Act Meetings
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Adopt a Mendocino County Policy establishing the procedure for addressing disruptions that prevent remote access during Ralph M. Brown Act Meetings.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
None.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
In 2025, the California Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, Senate Bill 707 related to open meetings held pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act. (Government Code sections 54950, et seq.). Effective July 1, 2026, a meeting held by an "eligible legislative body," as defined, must include an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform, with certain exceptions. The law provides that the open session of any such meeting must recess should any disruption of telephonic or internet service occur, that the meeting may continue in closed session during this recess, that the eligible legislative body must make a good faith effort to restore telephonic or internet service in accordance with an adopted policy for a minimum of one hour, and that the legislative body may thereafter reconvene into open session even if telephonic or internet service is not restored upon making certain findings. The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors is an "eligible legislative body" as defined in Senate Bill 707.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION/MOTION:
Provide alternate direction to staff.
STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITY DESIGNATION: An Effective County Government
SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT: ALL
VOTE REQUIREMENT: Majority
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: N/A
FISCAL DETA...
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