Committee Best Practices

The Ralph M. Brown Act

The Ralph M. Brown Act governs meetings conducted by local legislative bodies, such as boards of supervisors, city councils and school boards. The Act represents the Legislature’s determination of how the balance should be struck between public access to meetings of multi-member public bodies on the one hand and the need for confidential candor, debate, and information gathering on the other. Under the Ralph M. Brown Act there are some best practices participatory governance committees should follow.

GIVE NOTICE - The committee must give notice of the meeting and publish the agenda on DIligent Community at least 72 hours in advance. The agenda should include the items that will be discussed or voted on, along with the time, date, and location of the meeting. Be sure to include any supporting documents needed for voting items that are on the agenda.
PUBLIC ATTENDANCE - The committee must allow the public to attend the meeting and provide a reasonable opportunity for public comment.
MINUTES - The committee must keep accurate minutes of the meeting, including a record of all actions taken and all votes.
PUBLIC MEETINGS - The committee must conduct all meetings in public, except in certain limited circumstances.
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE - Voting members must be present in person, with limited exceptions for remote voting.