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Council approves SB 707 virtual-participation policy; one member votes no over disruption concerns
Summary
The council adopted a virtual-participation (hybrid meetings) policy required by SB 707, effective July 1, 2026. Councilmembers raised concerns about the unfunded mandate and a rule that would force recess if the city’s two-way connection is lost; the policy passed 4-1.
The Murrietta City Council voted on June 16 to adopt a virtual-participation policy implementing the state’s SB 707 requirements for hybrid meetings, but the vote exposed disagreement about operational impacts and unfunded costs.
City Clerk Crystal McDonald told the council the policy — required to take effect July 1 — establishes two-way remote participation, captioning and translation expectations, and a technology-disruption protocol that requires the legislative body to recess for up to an hour to attempt to restore two-way service before continuing or continuing items at a later date.
"If it is interrupted based off of technology ... we have up to an hour to restore service," McDonald said, describing the disruption rule and the city’s readiness work, including platform testing, role assignments, and an outreach plan.
Several councilmembers questioned the consequences of the disruption rule. Mayor Pro Holiday asked whether the city must stop the meeting if the city’s web stream fails even when only a handful of remote speakers are affected; the city attorney and clerk said the statute envisions the legislative body as responsible for restoring two-way participation and noted agencies can build redundancies.
Councilmember Stone opposed adopting the policy at this meeting and argued the mandate is an unfunded state requirement that could force cancellations of time-sensitive city business and create new operational costs. Stone cast the lone no vote; the measure passed 4-1.
According to staff, the city will continue to develop translation, accessibility and redundancy plans and will post participation information and a public guide on the city website before implementing the policy at the next meeting.
