REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: AMY ALLER, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Adopting a Technology Disruption Policy During Public Meetings of the City Council (Subject to Mayor's Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approving the Technology Disruption Policy pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(1)(A)(i)(I)(ib).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 707 (Chapter 327, Statutes of 2025) was passed on October 3, 2025, amending the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.). These amendments began taking effect January 1, 2026, with notable changes related to public participation becoming effective on July 1, 2026. This resolution seeks adoption of a technology disruption policy, which is required by SB 707 to be in place by July 1, 2026.
BACKGROUND
SB 707 amends the Brown Act by introducing new teleconferencing requirements, detailing eligibility rules for members of legislative bodies to participate remotely and enhanced accessibility for members of the public. The bill expands teleconferencing options and allows members of legislative bodies with disabilities to participate remotely as a reasonable accommodation without posting an agenda or providing public access to their location, consistent with recent Attorney General guidance. It preserves the traditional teleconferencing allowances that require public access at each remote site but also extends the "alternative teleconferencing" framework introduced during the coronavirus pandemic.
SB 707 also strengthens public accessibility requirements by requiring certain eligible legislative bodies to offer remote public comment via telephone or video, provide closed captioning where available, maintain accessible meeting webpages, and translate agendas into languages spoken by at least 20 percent of the jurisdiction's limited English proficient population. SB 707 directly affects the Fresno City Council as it qualifies as an eligible legislativ...
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