Page 9 - Lozano Smith Board Member Toolkit 2026

and accessible to the public and their location does not have to appear in the
agenda. The legislative body must also ensure means for the public to access
and participate in the meeting remotely, either via a two-way audio-visual
platform or two-way telephonic service plus live webcast, as a means by which
the public may remotely hear and visually observe the meeting and remotely
address the legislative body.

(Government Code § 54953(f).)

> Remote Attendance as Accommodation for a Qualified Disability. Public
agencies are required to permit members of a legislative body with a qualified
disability to remotely participate in Brown Act meetings if the disability
precludes them from attending the meeting in-person. The remote attendance
should simulate in-person attendance, and at minimum, the member should:
o use two-way video and audio streaming in real time; and,
o disclose the identity of any adults who are present with the member at
the remote location.

(Government Code § 54593(c).)

Agendas for Meetings
Every meeting must have an agenda describing the business to be conducted. All
agendas must be posted in a location at the agency offices that is freely accessible to
the public. In addition, agendas must be posted on the agency’s primary Internet Web
site homepage and accessible through a prominent, direct link to the current agenda.
The agenda must be posted in an open format that allows the agenda to be retrievable,
downloadable, indexable, and electronically searchable. Agencies may utilize an
integrated agenda management platform to meet these requirements.

Members of the public and media may request a copy of the agenda and all materials
sent to the legislative body with respect to open session meetings. The packet is
distributed to all persons, including the legislative body, simultaneously.

Each meeting must have an agenda describing each item on the agenda; generally the
description of each item need not exceed 20 words. Agenda descriptions should be
written in an unambiguous manner so that the public is aware of what business the
agency intends to transact.

Upon request, the agenda must be made available in alternative formats to persons
with disabilities. The agenda must include information regarding a request for
disability related modifications such as an auxiliary aid or services.

In addition, every agenda must list an agency office where members of the public may
inspect documents distributed to all or a majority of the legislative body. This rule is
designed to provide public access to items submitted to the legislative body after the
agenda is posted (i.e., those distributed less than 72 hours prior to a regular meeting).

6 Guide to Effective Governance