DATE:
April 21, 2026
22
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
PROMOTING INCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT IN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS: STRATEGIES ALIGNED WITH SENATE BILL (SB)?707 (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On October 3, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 707 (Durazo), which enacted significant amendments to the Ralph M. Brown Act. The changes aimed to modernize public meeting laws, expand access and participation, and address the evolving use of technology in local governance.
This agenda item provides a summary of the feedback received during the outreach to underrepresented communities, including non-English-speaking populations and civic organizations, to identify opportunities to increase their engagement at Board of Supervisors meetings and recommendations for the Board to consider to improve public engagement.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to implement the options selected by the Board of Supervisors to make reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in Board of Supervisors meetings to attend those meetings. The proposed options for the Board's consideration are:
1. Combine the Board Meeting agenda into a single document that includes only the item title and recommendation(s). Add hyperlinks directly within the agenda to the Board Letters and supporting documents for easy access to supplemental materials.
2. Develop plain-language guidelines for County staff for agenda item titles; include simplified version unless legally required.
3. Publish step-by-step public participation guides in all threshold languages, including simple instructions for eComment, speaking in person/virtually, and preparing public comment. Include a short printable one-page "How to Participate" sheet in the threshold languages.
4. Produce the Public Service Announcement on Speaking at Board Meetings in multiple languages.
5. Partner with Community Based Organizations (CBOs...
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