Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
JANUARY 15, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: FINDINGS REQUIRED FOR ELIGIBLE SUBSIDIARY BODIES TO MEET VIA TELECONFERENCE IN COMPLIANCE WITH SB 707 (DURAZO)
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. ADOPTING, pursuant to Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), the following findings on behalf of eligible subsidiary bodies (Attachment A) as defined by SB 707:
(i) The Board of Directors has considered the circumstances of the eligible subsidiary body.
(ii) Teleconference meetings of the eligible subsidiary body would enhance public access to meetings of the eligible subsidiary body, and the public has been made aware of the type of remote participation, including audio-visual or telephonic, that will be made available at a regularly scheduled meeting and has been provided the opportunity to comment at an in-person meeting of the legislative body authorizing the subsidiary body to meet entirely remotely.
(iii) Teleconference meetings of the eligible subsidiary body would promote the attraction, retention, and diversity of eligible subsidiary body members.
B. AUTHORIZING eligible subsidiary bodies (Attachment A) to meet via teleconference, by either audio-visual or telephonic means, if they choose, subject to the requirements of SB 707; and
C. RECEIVING AND FILING the update on relaxed teleconferencing rules as stated in SB 707 (Attachment B).
Issue
ISSUE
SB 707 (Attachment B), signed into law in October 2025, updates and extends the relaxed teleconferencing options first authorized under AB 2449 (Rubio). Such relaxed rules include the ability to participate in a teleconference meeting from a remote location that is not accessible to the public, if certain requirements are met. While SB 707 continues to provide for relaxed teleconferencing options for a legislative body of a local agency (i.e., bodies subject to the Brown Act) under updated “just cause” requirements or as a reasonable accommodation, it adds an additional avenue for “eligible subsidiary bodies” (defined in SB 707) to meet remotely using the relaxed teleconferencing standards (outside of “just cause” reasons). Under these expanded rules, an eligible subsidiary body may elect to meet remotely using the relaxed teleconferencing standards if the Metro Board adopts required statutory findings and renews such findings every six months.
Background
BACKGROUND
SB 707 (Durazo), signed into law on October 3, 2025, modernizes the Ralph M. Brown Act by extending the relaxed modifications set forth by AB 2449 (Rubio) in September 2022 and updating teleconferencing rules for public meetings. It continues (with some modifications) the relaxed participation framework originally authorized under AB 2449, which expired January 1, 2026. SB 707 extends the relaxed teleconferencing rules under specified circumstances until January 1, 2030.
The Board qualifies as an “eligible legislative body” under SB 707. Among other things, SB 707 establishes new requirements for “eligible legislative bodies” related to:
• public remote access to Board and Committee meetings via two-way audiovisual or telephonic participation;
• captioning activation when using audiovisual platforms;
• expanded accessibility and translation requirements for notices and websites (beginning July 1, 2026); and
• adoption of a service disruption policy for remote participation (by July 1, 2026).
Metro is currently meeting all the above listed requirements, with the exception of a Board-adopted service disruption policy, which staff will be bringing to the Board for recommended approval before July 1, 2026.
SB 707 also updates when members of a legislative body may participate remotely, including for “just cause” or as a reasonable accommodation, while retaining quorum and visibility requirements. Based on the frequency of Metro’s meetings, a Director can utilize “just cause” up to twice per calendar year.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
SB 707 further establishes specific rules to qualify for the relaxed teleconferencing requirements applicable to eligible subsidiary bodies, defined as advisory bodies that serve exclusively in an advisory capacity; are not authorized to take final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, licenses, permits, or any other entitlements, grants, or allocations of funds; and do not have primary subject matter jurisdiction that focuses on elections, budgets, police oversight, among other specified topics under the statute. Attachment A provides a list of eligible Metro Advisory Bodies. In addition to “just cause” reasons, these bodies may also conduct meetings via teleconference using relaxed standards if they meet certain requirements, including providing for public participation either by way of (i) a two-way audio visual platform, or (ii) a two-way telephonic service and a live webcasting of the meeting; compliance with specified processes in the event there is telephonic or internet service disruption preventing the body from broadcasting the meeting; agenda posting at a single physical location, and staff presence at that location. Except for “just cause” reasons, before eligible subsidiary bodies may use the relaxed teleconferencing provisions, the Metro Board must adopt statutory findings by majority vote and renew those findings every six months.
SB 707 requires the Board to periodically adopt specific findings in order for eligible subsidiary bodies to continue meeting virtually under relaxed teleconferencing standards (outside of the statutorily permitted “just cause” reasons). These advisory bodies play a key role in shaping Metro programs and priorities by elevating lived experience, operational insights, and community feedback from across the region.
Metro’s subsidiary bodies (Attachment A) include groups focused on accessibility, public safety, community representation, and service planning such as the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and the Service Councils. Members often volunteer their time, travel from multiple regions of Los Angeles County, and represent communities with varying access, work schedules, health needs, and caregiving responsibilities. Teleconferencing flexibility directly supports participation, quorum reliability, and diverse representation, enabling these bodies to remain active and reflective of the communities they serve.
Without Board action, eligible subsidiary bodies must revert to traditional Brown Act teleconferencing rules (other than in the event of “just cause” consistent with the statute), which require members participating remotely to publicly disclose and make accessible their teleconference location. These requirements would significantly limit participation and could reduce consistency and retention, impacting Metro’s ability to gather community input and operational feedback through its advisory structure.
Adopting the required findings under SB 707:
• preserves virtual participation options that support member engagement and continuity,
• ensures advisory bodies remain operational and accessible, and
• aligns Metro’s advisory meetings with existing public engagement practices at the Board level.
The findings must be renewed every six months to maintain this flexibility. This action does not change how the Board or its Committees meet; rather, it maintains functional and equitable access for Metro’s subsidiary bodies, consistent with how they have operated in recent years.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This action does not have an impact on safety.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This action supports equitable access to Metro’s advisory body processes by allowing flexible participation options for eligible subsidiary bodies. Teleconference flexibility reduces participation barriers for advisory body members who, travel from different parts of LA County, and may face challenges related to work schedules or other responsibilities. This item supports inclusive participation and ongoing operations of Metro’s advisory process.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
While this item does not directly encourage taking transit, sharing a ride, or using active transportation, it is a vital part of Metro operations, as it will allow Metro’s eligible advisory bodies to meet virtually, increasing membership and participation without increasing VMT. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item supports the overall function of the agency, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Recommendation supports strategic plan goal #5 to provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization by allowing Metro’s eligible subsidiary bodies to meet virtually.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board can consider not allowing eligible subsidiary bodies the opportunities to meet virtually outside of “just cause” reasons but membership has expressed concerns with meeting quorum due to the need for virtual attendance options. This option is not recommended.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon approval, staff will notify the eligible subsidiary bodies of the teleconferencing framework. Additionally, staff will bring an IT Disruption Policy to the Board for approval as required by SB 707.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - List of eligible Metro Advisory Bodies
Attachment B - SB 707 (Durazo)
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Collette Langston, Board Clerk, (213) 922-2837
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Collette Langston, Board Clerk, (213) 922-2837