Page 81 - 2026 Lozano Smith Brown Act Handbook

California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of
Title 2), as defined in Section 8680.9, or a local health emergency declared pursuant to Section
101080 of the Health and Safety Code. Local emergency, as used in this section, refers only to
local emergencies in the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises
jurisdiction.

(2) “State of emergency” means state of emergency proclaimed pursuant to Section 8625 of the
California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of
Title 2).

54953.8.3. Just cause teleconference rules

(a) A legislative body of a local agency may conduct a teleconference meeting pursuant to
Section 54953.8 if, during the teleconference meeting, at least a quorum of the members of the
legislative body participates in person from a singular physical location clearly identified on the
agenda, which location shall be open to the public and situated within the boundaries of the
territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction, provided that the legislative body
complies with the requirements of Section 54953.8 and all of the following additional
requirements:

(1) A member of the legislative body notifies the legislative body at the earliest opportunity
possible, including at the start of a regular meeting, of their need to participate remotely for just
cause, including a general description of the circumstances relating to their need to appear
remotely at the given meeting.

(2) The member shall participate through both audio and visual technology.

(3)(A) The provisions of this subdivision shall not serve as a means for any member of a
legislative body to participate in meetings of the legislative body solely by teleconference from a
remote location for just cause for more than the following number of meetings, as applicable:

(i) Two meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets once per month or less.

(ii) Five meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets twice per month.

(iii) Seven meetings per year, if the legislative body regularly meets three or more times per
month.

(B) For the purpose of counting meetings attended by teleconference under this paragraph, a
“meeting” shall be defined as any number of meetings of the legislative body of a local agency
that begin on the same calendar day.

(b) The minutes for the meeting shall identify the specific provision in subdivision (c) that each
member relied upon to participate remotely. This subdivision shall not be construed to require
the member to disclose any medical diagnosis or disability, or any personal medical information
that is otherwise exempt under existing law, including, but not limited to, the Confidentiality of

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