Open meetings.

Header changed from amendment history (Amended in Assembly July 6, 2026 / June 22, 2026) to enrolled bill format showing passage dates: Passed the Senate August 24, 2026 and Passed the Assembly August 17, 2026.

Added Governor's approval block at the end of the document, which is standard for enrolled bills awaiting signature.

Removed line-by-line numbering throughout the statutory text and adjusted pagination (page numbers changed from 97 to 96).

Removed the phrase 'as amended' from the legislative counsel's digest title, consistent with final enrolled bill formatting.

Section 54952.65 defining 'majority' as more than half of total seats (counting vacant seats) on a legislative body has been entirely removed from the bill.

All requirements for translating meeting agendas into 'applicable languages' (languages spoken by 20% or more of the population where 20%+ of speakers do not speak English very well) have been deleted, including the definition of 'applicable languages' based on American Community Survey data.

The requirement for eligible legislative bodies to maintain a system for electronically accepting and fulfilling requests for meeting agendas and documents via email or an integrated agenda management platform has been removed.

The requirement to create and maintain a dedicated accessible internet webpage for public meetings (including explanations of the process, comment procedures, meeting calendar, and posted agendas) has been removed.

The requirement for eligible legislative bodies to 'reasonably assist' members of the public who wish to translate a public meeting or receive interpretation (including arranging interpreter space, allowing extra time, and ensuring access to personal equipment) has been removed.

The requirement to make available a physical location near where agendas are posted so the public can post additional translations has been removed.

The outreach provision was simplified from a multi-part requirement (electronic system, dedicated webpage, and invitation efforts) to a single requirement that eligible legislative bodies 'make reasonable efforts' to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings, with broad discretion and immunity from lawsuits for failing to reach specific groups.

A new Section 4 declares the act an urgency statute that takes effect immediately, citing the need to ensure minimum standards for public participation and notice requirements.

The vote requirement was changed from a simple majority to a two-thirds (2/3) majority.

Legislative findings in Sections 2 and 3 were simplified by removing the language about ensuring legislative bodies do not take actions unless a sufficient number of members are present, retaining only the finding that the act ensures minimum standards for public participation and notice requirements.

The bill now amends Section 54953.4 of the Government Code, not just adds Section 54952.65. This dramatically expands the bill from a single definitional provision to a full public access framework.

Defines 'eligible legislative body' as city councils with 30,000+ population, county boards of supervisors with 30,000+ population, cities in counties with 600,000+ population, and special districts meeting size or revenue thresholds (over 200 FTE employees in a 600,000+ county, over 1,000 FTE employees, or over $400 million in annual revenues plus 200 FTE employees).

Requires eligible legislative bodies to provide two-way telephonic or audiovisual platform access for all open and public meetings, with procedures for service disruptions including mandatory one-hour recess and a rollcall vote finding before reconvening without remote access.

Requires translation of meeting agendas into 'applicable languages' (languages spoken by 20% or more of the population per American Community Survey data, capped at three languages), posting translations both online and at a physical location near where the agenda is posted.

Requires eligible legislative bodies to maintain an accessible internet webpage dedicated to public meetings including explanations of the process, comment procedures, meeting calendars, and agendas, with a prominent link on the body's homepage.

Requires electronic systems for accepting and fulfilling requests for meeting agendas and documents via email or an integrated agenda management platform.

Requires reasonable assistance for members of the public who wish to translate a meeting or receive interpretation, including arranging interpreter space, allowing extra time, and permitting use of personal equipment or commercially available services.

Sets an operative date of July 1, 2026 and a sunset date of January 1, 2030, after which the section is repealed.

Adds definitions for 'applicable languages,' 'eligible legislative body,' 'two-way audiovisual platform,' and 'two-way telephonic service.'

Includes liability protections: eligible legislative bodies are not responsible for the content or accuracy of translations or interpretations, and no action may be commenced against them arising from those matters. Also provides broad discretion in outreach efforts with a similar immunity provision.