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Board amends rules to preserve remote public comment; amendment passes 10–1
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved an amendment preserving broad remote public comment and directing staff to propose a rules change; the amendment rescinded the board's March 17, 2020 motion and set an interim rule window while a permanent rule change is drafted.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on March 7 adopted an amendment to a motion that preserves broad remote public comment for board meetings and directs the clerk to prepare a rules‑change proposal. The amendment, proposed by Supervisor Shamann Walton and expanded in scope by Supervisor Melgar and others, followed a longer floor exchange led by Supervisor Matt Dorsey urging the board to maintain wide remote access.
Supervisor Dorsey described the amendment's intent as preserving unlimited public comment for all participants and avoiding a two‑tiered system in which people with disabilities would have unlimited access while others would be capped. Dorsey said remote comment expanded civic participation for people with disabilities, working people, caregivers and those who lack resources to attend in person. He asked the board to rescind the board's March 17, 2020 motion and to have the clerk introduce a rules amendment; the interim approach would remain in place until the rules are amended or April 15, 2023, whichever comes first.
Supervisor David Chiu (via statements by colleagues) and Supervisor Engadio said remote comment broadens access and argued against narrowing it. Supervisor Mandelmann said he would vote against the amendment but praised the process of deliberation.
Vote and immediate effect
- On an amendment to preserve the current status of remote public comment the board voted 10–1 (Supervisor Mandelmann cast the lone no vote) to adopt the amendment.
- On the item as amended the board again approved the motion 10–1.
The board approved the amendment after the city attorney advised that the board could proceed with a simple majority at this stage and would later need an eight‑vote threshold if the clerk's rules change reached the full board as a formal amendment to the rules of order.
What the amendment does and does not do
- It seeks to rescind the March 17, 2020 motion that changed board operations during the COVID emergency and directs the clerk to prepare a rules amendment to enshrine broad remote public comment.
- It preserves an obligation to accommodate people with disabilities consistent with federal and state law; Dorsey and supporters said the amendment was intended to avoid creating an accommodation scheme that required people to declare a disability in order to get unlimited time.
- It does not permanently change the board's rules at this meeting; it sets an interim approach and directs the clerk to draft a formal rules change for later board consideration.
Speakers quoted in this report spoke during the March 7 discussion and are identified in the public record.
