COMMITTEE AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Board Policy and Monitoring Committee
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: title
Review and Discuss the Technology Disruption Policy for Board Meetings, and Recommend New Policy GP-12.4 be Presented to the Full Board for Approval.
End
RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Review and Discuss the Technology Disruption Policy for Board Meetings:
A. Receive and discuss the draft Technology Disruption Policy (GP-12.4)
B. Recommend new policy GP-12.4 be presented to the full board for approval.
Body
SUMMARY:
Senate Bill 707 (2025) amended the Brown Act to require “eligible legislative bodies” (as defined in the Bill) to adopt, on or before July 1, 2026, a policy addressing how they will respond to disruptions (any failure or outage) in telephonic or internet service that prevent members of the public from attending or observing a board meeting remotely. Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) qualifies as an “eligible legislative body” pursuant to this Bill. This draft policy is proposed to comply with that requirement and to ensure continuity of public participation during technical disruptions.
This policy establishes procedures for responding to a disruption in the telephonic or internet services that provide two-way remote public access to meetings of the Valley Water Board of Directors as required by the Brown Act (Gov. Code § 54953.4). The policy ensures transparency, public participation, and continuity of government during technology disruptions.
This policy applies to all open and public meetings of the Valley Water Board of Directors at which remote public participation is offered or required under the Brown Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
The Technology Disruption Policy is not subject to environmental justice analysis.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Draft GP-12.4
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Candice Kwok-Smith, 408-630-3193