California 2013-2014 Regular Session Status: In Committee

AB 185 — Open and public meetings: televised meetings.

Last action — From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2013-2014 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

The Ralph M. Brown Act requires that an audio or video recording of an open and public meeting made at the direction of a local agency is subject to inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act and may be erased or destroyed 30 days after the recording. Existing law requires that any inspection of an audio or video recording shall be provided without charge on equipment made available by the local agency. The Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 provides that cities, counties, cities and counties, or joint powers authorities receive state franchise fees in exchange for the use of public rights-of-way for the delivery of cable and video services provided within their jurisdictions, based on gross revenues, pursuant to a specified formula, from state franchise holders that provide public, educational, and governmental access (PEG) channels. The bill would provide that an audio or video recording of an open and public meeting made at the direction of a local agency may be erased or destroyed 2 years after the recording. The bill would require a local agency that collects a franchise fee from the holder of a state franchise that provides PEG channels to televise the open and public meetings of its legislative body and planning commission, unless doing so would result in a financial hardship, as defined, in which case the local agency would be required to broadcast the meetings via an audio-visual electronic medium or an audio medium, as specified. The bill would also authorize the use of the franchise fees to televise the open and public meetings of the local agency and to cover the necessary expenses, as defined, for implementing the televising of the local agency's open and public meetings. The bill would authorize, if franchise fee moneys in excess of that necessary to televise these meetings are available, the use of such fees to provide live streaming of these meetings on the Internet. By imposing new duties on local public officials to televise open and public meetings, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. Measure version as amended on April 23 corrected.

  4. In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  5. Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.

  6. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. Read second time and amended.

  7. Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.

  8. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. Read second time and amended.

  9. In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  10. Measure version as amended on April 2 corrected.

  11. Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.

  12. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. Read second time and amended.

  13. Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.

  14. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. Read second time and amended.

  15. Referred to Com. on L. GOV.

  16. From printer. May be heard in committee February 28.

  17. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 185 do?
The Ralph M. Brown Act requires that an audio or video recording of an open and public meeting made at the direction of a local agency is subject to inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act and may be erased or destroyed 30 days after the recording. Existing law requires that any inspection of an audio or video recording shall be provided without charge on equipment made available by the local agency. The Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 provides that cities, counties, cities and counties, or joint powers authorities receive state franchise fees in exchange for the use of public rights-of-way for the delivery of cable and video services provided within their jurisdictions, based on gross revenues, pursuant to a specified formula, from state franchise holders that provide public, educational, and governmental access (PEG) channels. The bill would provide that an audio or video recording of an open and public meeting made at the direction of a local agency may be erased or destroyed 2 years after the recording. The bill would require a local agency that collects a franchise fee from the holder of a state franchise that provides PEG channels to televise the open and public meetings of its legislative body and planning commission, unless doing so would result in a financial hardship, as defined, in which case the local agency would be required to broadcast the meetings via an audio-visual electronic medium or an audio medium, as specified. The bill would also authorize the use of the franchise fees to televise the open and public meetings of the local agency and to cover the necessary expenses, as defined, for implementing the televising of the local agency's open and public meetings. The bill would authorize, if franchise fee moneys in excess of that necessary to televise these meetings are available, the use of such fees to provide live streaming of these meetings on the Internet. By imposing new duties on local public officials to televise open and public meetings, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Who sponsors AB 185?
AB 185 is sponsored by Roger Hernández.
What is the current status of AB 185?
This bill died with 2013-2014 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track AB 185?
Track AB 185 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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