Relaxed Brown Act Requirements Will Temporarily Remain in Effect After June 15
The Governor’s office has announced that Executive Order N-29-20, which relaxed some Brown Act requirements to facilitate virtual meetings, will temporarily remain in effect beyond June 15, 2021. Governor Newsom has stated that, on June 15, he intends to terminate California’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” to permit a full re-opening of the State.
Tuesday, in response to questions from local government groups, Cabinet Secretary Ana Matosantos issued a letter confirming the Governor’s desire to achieve “an orderly return to the ordinary conduct of public meetings of state and local agencies and boards.” The letter declares that the Governor plans on terminating COVID-19 executive orders “at the earliest possible date at which conditions warrant….” But Secretary Matosantos promised that the Governor’s office will provide advance notice of the rescission of Executive Order N-29-20 in time for agencies and boards to meet “statutory and logistical requirements.” So, as of now, it is unclear for how long this Executive Order will remain in effect after June 15.
Executive Order N-29-20 waived certain provisions of the Brown Act, including requirements that meetings be conducted in physical locations, and that public agencies identify the locations from which board members participate. It has provided the basis for most virtual public meetings during the pandemic and can be viewed here. A copy of Secretary Matosantos’ letter can be viewed here.
For further information regarding Executive Order N-29-20 or other issues relating to Executive Orders, please contact Craig Steele.
