Irvine council adopts state-required policy for internet and phone disruptions at public meetings

The Irvine City Council voted Tuesday to adopt a policy implementing Senate Bill 707 that sets how the city will respond when telephonic or internet service is disrupted during public meetings.

City Clerk Carl Peterson told the council that SB 707 requires eligible legislative bodies to provide two‑way teleconferencing access and to adopt a disruption policy by July 1, 2026. "SB 707 does require adoption of a technology disruption policy that addresses disruption of telephonic or Internet service during public meetings," Peterson said, summarizing the bill's minimum requirements for an adopted policy.

The policy adopted by the council requires the mayor to make a public announcement if there is a disruption, and then calls for the council to recess for at least one hour or until service is restored; as an alternative to a recess, the council may convene in closed session on appropriate topics. If service cannot be restored, the council may either adopt findings that good‑faith efforts were made to restore service and continue via majority roll call vote, or adjourn the meeting under the Ralph M. Brown Act.

Mayor (chair) and council members discussed a recent disruption that was restored in under an hour; council members said the measure would bring the city's procedures into compliance. "So that's where we're not yet compliant. But as long as we adopt the policy before July 1, we'll be good," Peterson told the council.

With no public comment, the council adopted the resolution by roll call (carried 6‑0 of members present). The clerk said the resolution and any documentation of future disruptions will be posted on the city's website and recorded in meeting minutes as required.

The council did not amend the minimum requirements during the meeting; Peterson noted the council may strengthen the policy later provided any amendments are adopted in open session.