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singular physical location, that was clearly identified on the agenda, open to the public, and
situated within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction.
(iii) The committee has primary subject matter jurisdiction, as defined by the charter, an
ordinance, a resolution, or any formal action of the legislative body that created the subsidiary
body, that focuses on elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, removing from, or restricting
access to, materials available in public libraries, or taxes or related spending proposals. This
clause shall not apply to an item if the local agency has adopted a law applicable to the meeting
of the committee at which the item that was considered prohibits the committee from placing a
limit on the total amount of time for public comment on the item.
(3) Every notice for a special meeting shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to
directly address the legislative body concerning any item that has been described in the notice for
the meeting before or during consideration of that item.
(b) (1) The legislative body of a local agency may adopt reasonable regulations to ensure that
the intent of subdivision (a) is carried out, including, but not limited to, regulations limiting the
total amount of time allocated for public testimony on particular issues and for each individual
speaker.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), when the legislative body of a local agency limits time for
public comment, the legislative body of a local agency shall provide at least twice the allotted
time to a member of the public who utilizes a translator to ensure that non-English speakers
receive the same opportunity to directly address the legislative body of a local agency.
(3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply if the legislative body of a local agency utilizes simultaneous
translation equipment in a manner that allows the legislative body of a local agency to hear the
translated public testimony simultaneously.
(c) The legislative body of a local agency shall not prohibit public criticism of the policies,
procedures, programs, or services of the agency, or of the acts or omissions of the legislative
body. Nothing in this subdivision shall confer any privilege or protection for expression beyond
that otherwise provided by law.
54954.4. Reimbursements to local agencies and school districts for costs
(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that Section 12 of Chapter 641 of the Statutes of
1986, authorizing reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for costs mandated by the
state pursuant to that act, shall be interpreted strictly. The intent of the Legislature is to provide
reimbursement for only those costs which are clearly and unequivocally incurred as the direct
and necessary result of compliance with Chapter 641 of the Statutes of 1986.
(b) In this regard, the Legislature directs all state employees and officials involved in reviewing
or authorizing claims for reimbursement, or otherwise participating in the reimbursement
process, to rigorously review each claim and authorize only those claims, or parts thereof, which
represent costs which are clearly and unequivocally incurred as the direct and necessary result of
compliance with Chapter 641 of the Statutes of 1986 and for which complete documentation
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