In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, on March 12, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-25-20 (“EO N-25-20”).  Among other things, EO N-25-20 suspends provisions of the Brown Act (Govt. Code §§ 54950 et seq.) and Bagley-Keene Act (Govt. Code §§ 11120 et seq.), which otherwise require special noticing and public access to teleconference locations for public meetings held via teleconference.  EO N-25-20 provides that, during the period in which state or local public officials impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing,[1] including limitations on public events, state and local bodies may conduct entirely teleconferenced public meetings (a) so long as each state or local body complies with noticing requirements of the pertinent state law, and (b) provides at least one publicly accessible location from which members of the public have the right to observe and offer public comment at the public meeting.
Continue Reading California Governor Gavin Newsom Suspends Provisions of Public Meeting Laws to Aid Social Distancing Efforts