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City attorney warns SB 707 will expand Brown Act remote‑meeting rules; council told to adopt tech‑disruption policy
Summary
Mission Viejo's city attorney briefed the council on SB 707, which will require two‑way remote participation parity, a written technology‑disruption policy, and other procedural changes that take effect July 1, 2026 for eligible local legislative bodies.
The City Attorney presented an in‑depth review of SB 707 and how it revises the Brown Act, telling the council the law represents the most significant Brown Act change in decades.
"SB 707 substantially revises the Brown Act," the city attorney said, and walked councilmembers through new requirements: a dedicated meeting webpage with explicit guidance on how to participate remotely, two‑way telephonic or audio‑visual remote participation in real time with parity between remote and in‑person commenters, mandatory adoption of a technology‑disruption policy at an open meeting (cannot be adopted on consent), and special procedures if remote access is lost (a one‑hour recess and a formal roll‑call finding if service cannot be restored). The attorney also explained translation thresholds that require agenda and access webpages to be translated when specified language thresholds are met and discussed expanded teleconferencing allowances for disability and 'just cause' with usage limits.
Why it matters: Mission Viejo is an 'eligible legislative body' under SB 707 because of county population thresholds, so the council must adopt new remote‑meeting and tech disruption procedures before July 1, 2026. The attorney cautioned that while SB 707 does not create new causes of action, it increases the potential for Brown Act noncompliance and potential litigation or re‑notice if procedures are not followed.
City Manager Elaine Lister said staff and IT are preparing a technology disruption policy and minor changes to meeting rules and expect to have operations in place to meet the July 1 deadline.
