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CC - Item 5A - Implementation of Senate Bill 707 Requirements and Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-33, a Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service Policy Required Under Government Code Section 54953.4ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: BEN KIM, CITY MANAGER DATE: JUNE 9, 2026 SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF SENATE BILL 707 (SB 707) REQUIREMENTS AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2026-33 - A DISRUPTION OF TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE POLICY REQUIRED UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953.4 SUMMARY Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) significantly amends the Ralph M. Brown Act by establishing new statewide requirements related to teleconferencing, public participation, language access, and accessibility accommodations for certain local legislative bodies, called "eligible legislative bodies." Implementation of SB 707 relating to public access, translation of agendas, and accessibility requirements become operative on July 1, 2026. Among its key provisions, the legislation requires cities to provide two-way remote public participation and to adopt a formal policy addressing disruptions to telephone or internet service during public meetings. In 2025 the Legislature adopted SB 707, which establishes new public access and teleconferencing requirements for meetings of certain city councils. Since Rosemead's population exceeds 30,000, the Rosemead City Council is an "eligible legislative body." Subject to the requirements discussed below. The law and other generally -applicable requirements took effect on January 1, 2026, but the specific meeting requirements for the City Council are effective July 1, 2026 and remain in effect through January 1, 2030. The City of Rosemead must do the following by July 1, 2026: • Provide the public with a two-way telephone or audiovisual option to participate in meetings remotely; • Adopt a policy addressing internet and telephone service disruptions; • Translate meeting agendas into any language spoken by at least 20 percent of the City's population and 20 percent or more of the people who speak that language speak English less than "very well"; • Publicize instructions on how to request and provide interpretation assistance; • Take reasonable steps to encourage participation by underrepresented and non -English- speaking communities; and AGENDA ITEM 5.A City Council Meeting June 9, 2026 Pace 2 of 4 • Maintain a dedicated public meetings webpage with meeting information, participation instructions, agendas, and a meeting calendar. Teleconferencing Changes While traditional Brown Act requirements for teleconferencing will remain in place, SB 707 updates remote participation rules for all public legislative body meetings for meetings involving emergencies, approved individual circumstance, and certain advisory bodies. The law also requires cities to maintain procedures for ADA accommodations requests. Staff have reviewed current practices and will make any necessary updates to ensure ongoing compliance with SB 707. Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service Policy for City Council Meetings To comply with the requirements of SB 707, the City Council will continue to use Zoom platform to provide remote access. Members of the public will be able to listen to and observe meetings and provide public comments when recognized by the Mayor or City Clerk. SB 707 also requires the City Council to adopt a policy addressing disruptions to telephone or intemet service during meetings. The proposed policy establishes procedures for recessing and reconvening meetings and describes the City's good -faith efforts to restore service. Resolution No. 2026-33, (Attachment A) implements the required procedures the City Council and City Clerk must take if online services are disrupted that prevent remote public participation during a live meeting. The Council may not resume open session until service is restored or at least one hour has passed, whichever occurs first. During that time, the Council may meet in closed session. If service has not been restored after one hour, the meeting may resume if the Council determines by rollcall vote that good -faith efforts were made to restore service and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access. Adoption of this policy will ensure the City of Rosemead remains compliant with state law while continuing to promote transparency, accessibility, and inclusivity at public meetings. Translation of Meeting_ Agendas The city is required to translate City Council agendas into up to three languages spoken by at least 20 percent of the population where 20 percent or more of the people who speak that language speak English less than "very well." This determination is based on demographic census data. For the City of Rosemead, the most commonly spoken languages are Chinese (36 percent), Spanish (26 percent), and Vietnamese (15 percent). Although Vietnamese does not meet the statutory threshold, the city regularly provides translations in Vietnamese. Therefore, staff recommends continuing to include Vietnamese translations for consistency and to support language access for residents. These requirements apply only to meeting agendas and do not extend to full agenda packets. City Council Meeting June 9, 2026 Page 3 of 4 The city must also provide translated instructions for public participation and maintain translated meeting information on its website. Assistance in Translation Services The City must reasonably assist members of the public who wish to provide their own translation or interpretation of a public meeting or wish to receive interpretation from another member of the public. SB 707 does not require the city to directly provide translation services; it only requires reasonable assistance for members of the public who wish to provide or receive interpretation, so long as the interpretation is not disruptive to the meeting. City staff is also exploring the use of live translation tools or applications that could assist with interpretation during public meetings. The City will also publicize instructions on how members of the public may request interpretation assistance. Public Outreach Requirements SB 707 requires cities to make reasonable efforts to encourage participation from underrepresented and non -English-speaking groups. Staff is reviewing outreach opportunities and website improvements needed to meet these requirements. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-33, adopting a disruption of telephonic or internet service policy of public meetings pursuant to Government Code section 54953.4. FISCAL IMPACT SB 707 is a legislative unfunded mandate of cities which must bear the additional cost associated with compliance. Fortunately, the City of Rosemead never moved away from a hybrid style meeting, since the pandemic, resulting in cost savings. The cost for translation of agendas, outreach and website materials is budgeted in the FY 26-27 proposed budget. STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT GOAL B: Rosemead will continue to provide quality services that are inclusive and responsive to meeting the changing needs of our diverse community. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW This item is not defined as a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); therefore, adopting Resolution No. 2026-33, is not subject to CEQA. City Council Meeting June 9, 2026 Page 4 of 4 PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. Prepared and submitted by: Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk Attachment A: Resolution No. 2026-33 Attachment A Resolution No. 2026-33 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-33 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A DISRUPTION OF TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE POLICY PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953.4 WHEREAS, pursuant to Senate Bill 707, Government Code section 54953.4 requires that, beginning July 1, 2026, eligible legislative bodies provide members of the public an opportunity to attend open and public meetings through a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform, subject to the exceptions stated in that section; WHEREAS, Government Code section 54953.4, subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i)(I)(ib), requires an eligible legislative body, on or before July 1, 2026, to approve at a noticed public meeting in open session a policy addressing disruption of telephonic or internet service occurring during meetings where remote access is required; WHEREAS, Government Code section 54953.4, subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i)(I)(ibHIc), establishes requirements for recessing and reconvening a meeting and for making good faith efforts to restore service if a disruption prevents members of the public from attending or observing the meeting remotely; WHEREAS, the City Council is the City's only "eligible legislative body" for purposes of Government Code section 54953.4; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt a policy that implements, and does not expand upon, the requirements of Government Code section 54953.4. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Rosemead City Council as follows: SECTION 1. The recitals above are true and correct and incorporated into the body of this Resolution by reference. SECTION 2. The City Council adopts the Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service Policy attached hereto as Exhibit "A." SECTION 3. This resolution implements Government Code section 54953.4. It does not create rights beyond those required by state law and does not expand the obligations imposed by that section. SECTION 4. This resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption. SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 9h day of June, 2026. IEWITWIS Sandra Armenta, Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Rachel H. Richman, City Attorney Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES) § CITY OF ROSEMEAD ) I, Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk of the City Council of the City of Rosemead, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing City Council Resolution No. 2026-33 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Rosemead, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 91h day of June, 2026, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk EXHIBIT A CITY OF ROSEMEAD DISRUPTION OF TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE POLICY The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for responding to disruptions in telephonic or internet services that provide two-way remote public access to City Council meetings. This policy is adopted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, including Government Code section 54953.4, to ensure continued transparency, public participation, and compliance with open meeting requirements during technological disruptions affecting remote access to City Council meetings. A. This policy implements Government Code section 54953.4, subdivision (b)(I)(A)(i)(I)(Ib)41c), for meetings of the City Council. B. If a disruption or technical failure of the telephonic service, internet connection, two-way telephonic system, or two-way audiovisual platform occurs during a meeting in a manner that prevents members of the public from attending, observing, or participating in the meeting as required by law, the City Council shall recess the open session for at least a period of one (1) hour. During the recess, the City Council may meet in closed session as permitted by Government Code section 54953.4. C. The City Council shall not reconvene open session until either: (1) at least one hour has passed since the disruption began, or (2) telephonic or internet service has been restored and the public is again able to attend and observe the meeting through a two-way telephonic or audiovisual platform, whichever occurs first. D. If telephonic or internet service has not been restored when open session reconvenes, the City Council may continue the meeting only after adopting, by roll call vote, a finding that it made good faith efforts to restore the service and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access. The finding shall be stated on the record before the City Council proceeds with open session business. E. The Clerk shall enter a brief statement into the meeting minutes, including the nature and time of the service disruption; the time the meeting was reconvened (if applicable); and any finding adopted pursuant to Section D.