Special Meetings Under the Brown Act
The Brown Act, California Government Code § 54950 et seq., governs the conduct of meetings by local legislative bodies, including special meetings. Special meetings are meetings that are called outside of the regular meeting schedule.
Notice and Posting
The agenda for a special meeting must be posted at least 24 hours before the meeting (Brown Act § 54956). The notice of the special meeting should be delivered to each member of the legislative body in writing and should also be provided to the media if they have previously requested notification of special meetings (Brown Act § 54956).
Limited Agenda
The discussions at a special meeting are limited to the issues that are posted in the agenda (Brown Act § 54956). No other business can be considered during the special meeting.
Accessibility
Special meetings should be held in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public (Brown Act § 54956).
No Secret Ballots
Voting during a special meeting must be done publicly, and secret ballots are not allowed (Brown Act § 54953(c)).
Sources
FAQs
What is a special meeting under the Brown Act?
A special meeting is a meeting of a local legislative body that is called outside of the regular meeting schedule.
What are the requirements for calling a special meeting?
The agenda for a special meeting must be posted at least 24 hours before the meeting, and the notice of the meeting must be delivered to each member of the legislative body in writing.
What can be discussed at a special meeting?
Only the items that are listed on the agenda can be discussed at a special meeting.
Are secret ballots allowed at special meetings?
No, secret ballots are not allowed at special meetings. All votes must be taken publicly.
Who must be notified of a special meeting?
Each member of the legislative body must be notified of a special meeting in writing. The media must also be notified if they have previously requested notification of special meetings.
Where can special meetings be held?
Special meetings must be held in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public.
What happens if a special meeting is not properly noticed?
If a special meeting is not properly noticed, any actions taken at the meeting may be void.
What are the penalties for violating the Brown Act?
Violations of the Brown Act can result in civil penalties, including fines and injunctions.