Meet SB 707 Regulations and Create a More Predictable Meeting Experience

Under the modernized Brown Act, an eligible legislative body generally includes:

• Any city council or county board of supervisors serving a population of 30,000 or more
• Any city council located within a county with a population exceeding 600,000, regardless of the city’s own population

For special districts, SB 707 applies to boards of directors that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• The district’s boundaries include a population of 200,000 or more and the district maintains an internet website
• The district employs more than 1,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• The district has annual revenues exceeding $400 million and at least 200 FTE employees

Because eligibility can vary by agency type, Clerks should confirm applicability early to avoid last-minute compliance risk.

“Applicable languages” are defined as languages spoken by 20% or more of the population within the agency’s jurisdiction who speak English less than “very well.”

To determine this, agencies must rely on the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) data, though other data sources may be used if supported by substantial evidence.

If more than three languages meet the 20% threshold, the agency is only required to provide translations for the top three applicable languages.

Yes. SB 707 explicitly allows the use of digital (machine) translation services to satisfy agenda translation requirements. In addition:

• If an agency provides a two-way audiovisual platform, it must activate any automatic captioning function included with that platform.
• Machine translation and AI-powered captions are widely recognized as the most fiscally sustainable way to meet SB 707 requirements, particularly for agencies hosting frequent or lengthy meetings.

 

 

 

SB 707 does not require agencies to offer online speaker registration. However, the law acknowledges that third-party platforms may require registration for participation.

If an agency uses a registration-based system:

• The opportunity to register and provide public comment cannot be closed until the timed comment period for that agenda item has elapsed.
• Agencies may not require public comments to be submitted in advance.
• Members of the public must be allowed to provide real-time oral comment during the meeting.

 

 

Agencies must create and maintain an accessible internet webpage dedicated to public meetings that includes:

• A general explanation of the meeting process
• Clear procedures for providing in-person and remote oral or written public comment
• A calendar of all meeting dates, including time and location
• The online agenda for each meeting

A prominent, direct link to this dedicated public meetings page must be posted on the agency’s primary website home page.

Additionally, the public meetings webpage itself must be translated into all applicable languages, consistent with SB 707’s language access requirements.