Page 4 - BrownActHandbook

transactions, labor negotiations, pending litigation, and potential security threats to public
facilities and essential public services, among other enumerated grounds. Assembly Bill 2715
expands the definition of security threats to include cybersecurity threats related to critical
infrastructure controls or critical infrastructure information. Additionally, AB 2715 expands the
specified state and local authorities who can attend a closed session meeting to discuss security
threats to include all law enforcement and security personnel, not just the sheriff or chief of
police.

Assembly Bill 2350 – Email Notification to Media by School Boards

Under existing law, a legislative body may hold a meeting without complying with the Brown
Act’s 24-hour notice and posting requirements if an emergency situation requires prompt action
because of a disruption or threatened disruption of public facilities. In an emergency situation,
the presiding officer or designee must notify specified media outlets by phone one hour before
the meeting or at approximately the same time as other members are notified. If the phone
service is not functioning, notification to the media outlets must be as soon as possible after the
meeting.

AB 2350 expands the available notification methods for emergency school boards meetings to
include email notification. Under AB 2350, a school board may send meeting notifications to
the specified media outlets by email instead of phone. If both phone and internet services are not
functioning, notification to the media outlets must be as soon as possible after the meeting.

Assembly Bill 1855 – Alternate Teleconferencing Provisions for Community College
Student Body Associations and Student-Run Organizations

In 2023 the Legislature authorized “eligible legislative bodies”, defined to include neighborhood
councils of the City of Los Angeles, to use teleconferencing for meetings without complying
with the notice, agenda, and access requirements for traditional teleconferencing after following
specified procedures. Instead, the “eligible legislative body” may use alternate teleconferencing
procedures as specified by statute. Through January 1, 2026, AB 1855 expands the definition of
“eligible legislative bodies” to include community college student body associations and student-
run organizations. The Board of Trustees must adopt an enabling resolution for this exception to
apply. The alternative procedures dispense with the notice, agenda, and access requirements for
traditional teleconferencing, but have specific requirements to ensure public participation similar
to remote meeting requirements. The alternative procedures allow remote participants to count
towards the in-person quorum if they meet specific criteria.

2. Attorney General Confirms the Brown Act’s Broad Application to Informal Gatherings
of Members of a Legislative Body.

In April 2024, the California Attorney General found that a gathering of a majority of the
members of a city council at a chamber of commerce event constituted a “meeting” of the city
council under the Brown Act, under the specific facts presented. (__ Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. __
(2024), Opn.No. 23-102.) The opinion provides useful insight for public agencies into how the
Brown Act may be applied to similar gatherings involving their own governing body members,
which may in turn help to avoid inadvertent missteps with the open meetings law.

2025 Brown Act Handbook LozanoSmith.com