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GOVERNOR SIGNS CSDA SPONSORED BILL ON REMOTE PUBLIC MEETINGS Legislation Allows State, Special Districts, and Other Public Agencies to Meet Remotely During the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Wildfires, and Future Emergencies
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n September 16, Governor Gavin Newsom signed CSDA’s sponsored legislation, Assembly Bill 361 (Rivas), which amends the Brown Act to allow special districts and other public agencies to continue meeting remotely during a declared state of emergency as they were able to do under Governor Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 pandemic Executive Orders. An urgency clause within AB 361, combined with a September 20 Executive Order (N-15-21), provides for a seamless transition whereby the remote meeting Executive Orders will expire September 30 and the new law will take effect October 1. Special districts looking to meet remotely during the ongoing state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic (as proclaimed March 4, 2020) should take steps immediately in consultation with legal counsel to ensure compliance with the provisions of AB 361. Additionally, as a benefit to its members, CSDA has drafted an Implementation Guide explaining the provisions of AB 361 to assist its members. This guide and the sample resolutions contained therein have been written with input from the stakeholders directly involved in crafting this legislation. CSDA would like to extend its gratitude to those members who submitted letters of support throughout the legislative process to assist AB 361 in its passage through the Legislature.
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“While we hope devastating emergencies will never happen in our communities, AB 361 will provide local public agencies, including special districts, the authority to meet remotely to ensure the continued delivery of critical services when inevitable emergencies occur, such as floods, fires, earthquakes and even our current health emergency,” said CSDA CEO Neil McCormick. “I commend Assembly Member Robert Rivas, the Governor, and the Legislature for their efforts on this issue to protect California communities and the services they depend on.” AB 361 will sunset by its own provisions on January 1, 2024. Without subsequent action by CSDA and other stakeholders, this authority to conduct remote meetings under modified open meeting procedures during emergencies will terminate on that date.
California Special Districts • September-October 2021
