The Los Angeles City Council Friday authorized $30,000 for the purchase of Zoom licenses to comply with a new state bill requiring more access to public meetings.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 707 into law on October 2025, which enhanced the Brown Act with the intent of increasing more California residents to participate in public meetings by expanding remote access.
The California Legislature approved the Brown Act in 1953, requiring every local legislative body in the state to conduct its business in meetings available to the public with limited expectations for topics such as litigation and personnel matter.
SB 707 requires Los Angeles to provide remote participation in meetings via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform. It also requires city officials to expand public outreach efforts to encourage residents who do not traditionally participate in meetings to attend.
Additionally, it requires the city to provide translation services during public meetings and on the city’s dedicated websites.
The law goes in effect July 1.
With the deadline two months away, the city is taking steps to be in compliance.
The Zoom licenses are expected to improve access to meetings held at City Hall in the Council Chamber and fourth floor committee room, according to a report from the Information Technology Agency.
A separate proposal to improve access to meetings held at Van Nuys City Hall is expected to come forward in the future.