Page 3 - Lozano Smith Board Member Toolkit 2026

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: BROWN ACT
Legislative Bodies .................................................................................................................. 2
Committees and Subcommittees ........................................................................................... 2
Meetings ................................................................................................................................ 2
Agendas for Meetings ............................................................................................................. 6
Public Comment .................................................................................................................... 7
Inspection of Documents and Records ................................................................................... 8
Closed Sessions .................................................................................................................... 8
Penalties and Enforcements ................................................................................................. 10
Brown Act Handbook ........................................................................................................... 10

CHAPTER 2: PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
What are Public Records? .................................................................................................... 12
What’s a Record? ................................................................................................................. 12
Email and Electronic Messages ............................................................................................ 12
Exempt Records ................................................................................................................... 12
“Catch-all” Exemptions ....................................................................................................... 12
Who May Request a Public Record? ...................................................................................... 13
Dealing with Unclear Requests ............................................................................................. 13
Response Timelines ............................................................................................................. 13
Copies and Costs ................................................................................................................ 13
Tips for Managing Public Records Act Requests .................................................................... 13

CHAPTER 3: ETHICS IN PUBLIC SERVICE

Personal Gain or Interest ...................................................................................................... 16
Political Reform Act ............................................................................................................. 16
Government Code 1090 ....................................................................................................... 17
Common Law Conflicts of Interest ....................................................................................... 19
Financial Interest Disclosure ................................................................................................ 19
Limits on Gifts, Honoraria, Travel and Use of Public Resources .............................................. 20
Fair Process Laws ................................................................................................................ 21
Campaign Contribution and Pay-to-Play ............................................................................... 21
Political Reform Act: Does a Disqualifying Conflict of Interest Exist? ...................................... 22