Agenda Item Wording:
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Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) implementation overview- receive presentation on Senate Bill 707 which enhances public access to City Council meetings, adoption of Disruption Policy, and direction on outreach strategies.
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Agenda Date: 06/01/2026
Prepared by: Reyna Rivera, Chief Deputy City Clerk reyna.rivera@visalia.gov 559-713-4512; Leslie B. Caviglia, City Manager Leslie.caviglia@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council receive a report on Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) requirements, adopt the proposed Policy on Disruptions to telephonic or internet service during public meetings, and provide direction to staff regarding outreach strategies included in the draft Policy on Reasonable Efforts to Encourage Public Participation in City Council Meetings
Summary: Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) amends the Ralph M. Brown Act and establishes new requirements for public access, participation, and transparency for meetings of “eligible legislative bodies,” effective July 1, 2026.
The City of Visalia City Council qualifies as an “eligible legislative body” under SB 707. At this time, implementation efforts are focused on the City Council, which is the City’s only eligible legislative body under SB 707.
This report provides an overview of the City’s responsibilities under SB 707, outlines staff’s intended approach to implementation, presents a proposed policy addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet service during meetings, and seeks City Council direction on outreach strategies to encourage broader public participation.
Background Discussion:
The Ralph M. Brown Act requires that meetings of legislative bodies be open and accessible to the public. SB 707 expands these requirements for “eligible legislative bodies,” including certain city councils, by establishing additional standards for remote participation, language access, and public engagement.
Effective July 1, 2026, the City Council will be required to provide members of the public with the ability to attend and participate in meetings remotely through either a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform. Remote participants must be provided the same opportunity to provide public comment as in-person attendees.
These requirements effectively establish a hybrid meeting format, combining in-person meetings with remote participation options. SB 707 also expands teleconferencing options for Councilmembers.
SB 707 maintained the two primary ways for members of legislative bodies to
participate remotely under the Brown Act, and specified rules for remote meetings held
during a state or local declaration of emergency. All remote options are now called
“teleconferencing” under the new Brown Act provisions.
Traditional Brown Act Teleconferencing: The rules for participating under the
traditional teleconferencing rules, where a member’s remote location must be listed on
the agenda and open for in-person public participation have not changed.
Just Cause Teleconferencing: The prior rules for participating remotely for just cause
or personal emergency circumstances have been simplified and expanded. “Emergency circumstances” are now consolidated into the “just cause” provisions.
Members of Brown Act bodies may participate under the new “just cause” provisions in
any of the following circumstances:
• Childcare or caregiving need of a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild,
sibling, spouse, or domestic partner that requires them to participate
remotely.
• A contagious illness that prevents a member from attending in person.
• A need related to a physical or mental condition for which there is no remote
participation accommodation in place.
• Travel while on official business of the legislative body or another state or
local agency.
• New: An immuno-compromised family member
• New: A physical or family medical emergency
• New: Military service preventing in-person attendance.
The requirements for participating under “just cause” have not changed. These
requirements are:
• Requirement for two-way audiovisual or telephonic public participation access
and real-time public remote public comment.
• Remote member must disclose the presence of other adults and their general
relationship.
• Same annual limits per Member apply. Council Members may participate
remotely for just cause in up to 5 Council meetings per year.
Staff has provided a teleconference method comparison chart as an attachment.
The City currently broadcasts City Council meetings using its agenda management system (Granicus/Legistar), which provides one-way live streaming and archived access. Consistent with SB 707 requirements, the City intends to continue this platform while incorporating a two-way telephonic service to enable real-time public participation. Implementation will be coordinated with the City’s transition to the new Civic Center anticipated in late 2027, where upgraded meeting technology will support long-term compliance with SB 707.
SB 707 also requires the City Council to adopt, on or before July 1, 2026, a policy addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet service during public meetings. The proposed policy establishes procedures for recessing a meeting, attempting to restore service, and reconvening the meeting in compliance with state law.
SB 707 establishes requirements for language access and community outreach. The City meets the threshold for translating City Council meeting agendas into Spanish based on applicable data. Staff is coordinating with the City’s agenda management system provider (Granicus/Legistar) to implement translation capabilities in compliance with the law. By July 1, 2026, the City will also provide a physical location near agenda posting areas where members of the public may post translated agendas.
In addition, SB 707 requires eligible legislative bodies to make reasonable efforts to encourage participation from underrepresented groups and non-English-speaking communities. The law provides flexibility in how agencies meet this requirement and does not mandate outreach to any specific group. The statute further provides Council with broad discretion in defining these reasonable efforts and clarifies that failure to provide notice to any specific group does not create a basis for legal action.
To assist with implementation of these requirements, staff has prepared a draft “Reasonable Efforts to Encourage Public Participation in City Council Meetings” policy intended to establish a flexible outreach framework consistent with SB 707. The draft policy identifies potential outreach and communication strategies that may be utilized, while recognizing that implementation efforts must remain balanced with available resources and evolving community needs.
Potential outreach strategies discussed by staff and the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) included, but were not limited to, outreach through local churches; posting agendas at community centers and the Senior Center; coordination with agencies such as Family HealthCare Network and Kaweah Health; and researching participation opportunities through organizations and events serving agricultural workers and underserved communities. Discussion also included sending postcards, researching simultaneous translation options, and exploring accessibility measures such as closed captioning.
Staff is seeking City Council feedback on the draft policy and these potential outreach strategies, as well as any additional outreach methods the Council would like staff to consider. Staff intends to use Council guidance to shape an outreach approach that balances compliance with SB 707, resource considerations, and meaningful community engagement. Implementation efforts will initially focus on City Council meetings, the City’s only eligible legislative body under SB 707, and may be adapted as needed.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with receiving this report or adopting the proposed disruption policy. Implementation of SB 707 requirements may result in future costs related to technology, translation services, and outreach efforts. At this time, costs are still being evaluated. Any identified costs will be brought forward through a future budget process, if necessary.
Prior Council Action: None.
Alternatives:
Do not adopt the proposed disruption policy and provide alternative direction to staff.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to receive the report on Senate Bill 707 requirements, adopt the policy on disruptions to telephonic or internet service during public meetings, and provide direction to staff with outreach strategies on draft reasonable efforts to encourage public participation.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 07/01/2026
Attachments: Proposed policy on disruptions to telephonic or internet service during public meetings; teleconference method comparison; draft policy on reasonable efforts to encourage public participation in city council meetings. and presentation.
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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