Advisory Board: Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee
Subject: 6. REVIEW Brown Act revisions and DISCUSS updated training requirements for members of advisory bodies.
Presenter: Wade Finlinson
Contact: 925.655.3214
Information:
State law now requires that a copy of the Brown Act is distributed to all members of boards and commissions subject to the Brown Act. Two changes to Brown Act rules became effective on January 1, 2026. Additionally, County policy requires that members of advisory bodies receive training on the Brown Act, Better Government Ordinance, ethics, and implicit bias.
Referral History and Update:
Individual IPM Advisory Committee members were emailed a digital copy of the Brown Act on January 8, 2026. The current version is available at the following link: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&division=2.&title=5.&part=1.&chapter=9.&article=
The two recent changes involve alternative remote teleconference meeting procedures and the allowance of members of legislative bodies to participate remotely as a reasonable accommodation for a disability. The update to alternative remote teleconferencing rules added new reasons for a remote appearance under "just cause" provisions. The three areas previously deemed as "emergency circumstances" were added to the list of "just cause" reasons. Excerpts from the Brown Act detailing traditional teleconferencing provisions, reasonable accommodation for remote participation, and alternative remote teleconferencing rules are provided in attachment 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 in this agenda packet.
The IPM Coordinator should be notified as early as possible including at the start of a meeting to request a remote appearance under "just cause." The Clerk of the Board must be contacted to coordinate reasonable accommodations for remote participation. Members wishing to attend remotely in accordance with traditional teleconferencing must work with the IPM Coordinator far enough...
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