SB 1187: Open meetings.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Ralph M. Brown Act, requires, with specified exceptions, that all meetings of a legislative body, as defined, of a local agency be open and public and that all persons be permitted to attend and participate.

Existing law, beginning July 1, 2026, requires eligible legislative bodies, as defined, to have in place a system for electronically accepting and fulfilling requests for meeting agendas and documents. Existing law additionally requires these legislative bodies to translate the agenda for each meeting of that body and to reasonably assist members of the public who wish to translate a public meeting or receive interpretation, as specified.

This bill would instead delete the above-described requirements on eligible legislative bodies.

Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.

This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.

The California Constitution requires local agencies, for the purpose of ensuring public access to the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies, to comply with a statutory enactment that amends or enacts laws relating to public records or open meetings and contains findings demonstrating that the enactment furthers the constitutional requirements relating to this purpose.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 18, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 324, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 18, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. August 28, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. August 24, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 24, 2026Urgency clause adopted.
6. August 19, 2026From committee: That the Assembly amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.)
7. August 19, 2026Set for hearing August 19.
8. August 18, 2026From committee: Be re-referred to Com. on L. GOV. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d). (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
9. August 18, 2026Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d).
10. August 18, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
11. August 17, 2026Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 6205.) Ordered to the Senate.
12. August 3, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.