To: Board of Supervisors, Sonoma County Water Agency Board of Directors, Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space Board of Directors, and Community Development Commission Board of Commissioners
Department or Agency Name(s): County Executive’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: David Guhin, 707-565-2341
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Resolution to Renew Authorization of certain Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to teleconference pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6.
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Concurrent Resolution Renewing Authorization to Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to Use Teleconferencing for Meetings Pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6.
end
Executive Summary:
California Government Code Section 54953.8.6 <https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-gov/title-5/division-2/part-1/chapter-9/section-54953-8-6/> was added to the Ralph M. Brown Act by Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) and provides expanded flexibility for remote participation in public meetings by certain eligible subsidiary bodies. On March 24, 2026, the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted Resolution 26-0070, authorizing certain eligible subsidiary bodies to utilize the new teleconference procedures. SB707 requires that the Board shall renew the authorization every six months to allow those eligible subsidiary bodies to continue utilizing the updated teleconference procedures and remote participation options. This item requests the Board adopt a resolution to renew teleconferencing for the identified eligible subsidiary bodies.
Discussion:
SB 707 enacted significant amendments to the Ralph M. Brown Act. Among these changes are updated provisions governing how members of certain eligible subsidiary bodies may participate in public meetings.
To qualify as an “eligible subsidiary body” the body must be created by formal action of the Board and must serve exclusively in an advisory capacity. The subsidiary body cannot be authorized to take final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, permits, funding allocations, grants or other entitlements. In addition, the subsidiary body must not have primary subject-matter jurisdiction over specified areas, including elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, public library materials, or taxes and related spending proposals. Tax oversight committees are not eligible, nor are bodies that take final action, such as the Planning Commission.
SB 707 requires that the Board (as the “parent” body) make findings to allow its eligible subsidiary bodies to use the new remote participation procedures initially and again every six months. Findings must include that remote participation would enhance public access to the subsidiary body’s meetings, that the public has been informed about the proposed remote participation format and given the opportunity to comment at a regularly scheduled meeting, and that allowing teleconference meetings would help attract, retain, and diversify advisory body members. The Board retains the authority to prohibit the use of teleconferencing by the subsidiary body at any time. Once the Board grants authorization, the subsidiary body itself must approve the use of teleconferencing by majority vote before implementing the option.
The action before the Board is to adopt a resolution reauthorizing the following eligible subsidiary bodies to utilize the teleconference procedures established under SB 707:
• Ag + Open Space Advisory Committee
• Behavioral Health Board
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
• Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Aviation Commission
• Community Development Committee
• Dry Creek Valley Citizen Advisory Council
• Emergency Medical Care Council
• Historical Records Commission
• Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Committee
• Mark West Area Municipal Advisory Committee
• Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board
• North Sonoma Valley Municipal Advisory Committee
• Public Authority Advisory Committee
• Sonoma County Coast Municipal Advisory Committee
• Springs Municipal Advisory Committee
Staff previously recommended authorizing these particular eligible subsidiary bodies based on their existing use of virtual tools to broadcast meetings, which positioned them to effectively implement the new teleconference procedures and accommodate remote participation. Continuing this authorization would enhance accessibility and opportunities for participation by both members of the public and the subsidiary bodies themselves. This item represents the first six-month renewal of the Board’s March 24, 2026 authorization and would allow the eligible subsidiary bodies currently authorized to continue utilizing the new teleconference procedures.
On March 26, 2026, Clerk of the Board staff provided all authorized subsidiary bodies with an updated copy of the Brown Act incorporating the amendments enacted through SB 707.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
While the current item does not have an accompanying Racial Equity Analysis, the Office of Equity (OOE) is currently conducting an assessment on the County’s Boards and Commissions <https://sonomacounty.gov/board-of-supervisors-takes-first-step-toward-expanding-access-and-participation-on-county-boards-and-commissions> which will inform staff recommendations to strengthen the which will inform staff recommendations to strengthen the County’s capacity to support these bodies. The OOE is working in collaboration with the County Executive’s Office, the Clerk of the Board, and County Counsel to monitor legislative updates, such as SB 707, and assess its impacts on Sonoma County Boards and Commissions. The OOE expects to present initial findings and draft recommendations to the Board for feedback and direction later this year.
Prior Board Actions:
March 24, 2026 BOS Adopted Concurrent Resolution 26-0070 Authorizing Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to utilize SB 707 teleconferencing procedures.
Fiscal Summary
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FY27-28 Projected |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
While there are no direct fiscal impacts for this item, the utilization of teleconference procedures will require certain technological and personnel resources to ensure compliance. The Board is reauthorizing eligible subsidiary bodies with the understanding that they have the existing capabilities to support the teleconference procedures without additional resources.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
While there are no direct staffing impacts for this particular item, the utilization of teleconference procedures will require certain technological and personnel resources to ensure compliance. The Board is reauthorizing eligible subsidiary bodies with the understanding that they have the existing capabilities to support the teleconference procedures without additional resources.
Attachments:
Concurrent Resolution to Reauthorize Eligible Subsidiary Bodies to Use Teleconferencing for Meetings Pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Adopted Concurrent Resolution 26-0070