Section 54954.2 Of Chapter 9. Meetings From California Government Code >> Division 2. >> Title 5. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 9.
54954.2
. (a) (1) At least 72 hours before a regular meeting, the
legislative body of the local agency, or its designee, shall post an
agenda containing a brief general description of each item of
business to be transacted or discussed at the meeting, including
items to be discussed in closed session. A brief general description
of an item generally need not exceed 20 words. The agenda shall
specify the time and location of the regular meeting and shall be
posted in a location that is freely accessible to members of the
public and on the local agency's Internet Web site, if the local
agency has one. If requested, the agenda shall be made available in
appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability, as
required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and the federal rules and regulations
adopted in implementation thereof. The agenda shall include
information regarding how, to whom, and when a request for
disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary
aids or services, may be made by a person with a disability who
requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in
the public meeting.
(2) No action or discussion shall be undertaken on any item not
appearing on the posted agenda, except that members of a legislative
body or its staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions
posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights under
Section 54954.3. In addition, on their own initiative or in response
to questions posed by the public, a member of a legislative body or
its staff may ask a question for clarification, make a brief
announcement, or make a brief report on his or her own activities.
Furthermore, a member of a legislative body, or the body itself,
subject to rules or procedures of the legislative body, may provide a
reference to staff or other resources for factual information,
request staff to report back to the body at a subsequent meeting
concerning any matter, or take action to direct staff to place a
matter of business on a future agenda.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the legislative body may take
action on items of business not appearing on the posted agenda under
any of the conditions stated below. Prior to discussing any item
pursuant to this subdivision, the legislative body shall publicly
identify the item.
(1) Upon a determination by a majority vote of the legislative
body that an emergency situation exists, as defined in Section
54956.5.
(2) Upon a determination by a two-thirds vote of the members of
the legislative body present at the meeting, or, if less than
two-thirds of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those
members present, that there is a need to take immediate action and
that the need for action came to the attention of the local agency
subsequent to the agenda being posted as specified in subdivision
(a).
(3) The item was posted pursuant to subdivision (a) for a prior
meeting of the legislative body occurring not more than five calendar
days prior to the date action is taken on the item, and at the prior
meeting the item was continued to the meeting at which action is
being taken.
(c) This section is necessary to implement and reasonably within
the scope of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article
I of the California Constitution.
(d) For purposes of subdivision (a), the requirement that the
agenda be posted on the local agency's Internet Web site, if the
local agency has one, shall only apply to a legislative body that
meets either of the following standards:
(1) A legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (a)
of Section 54952.
(2) A legislative body as that term is defined by subdivision (b)
of Section 54952, if the members of the legislative body are
compensated for their appearance, and if one or more of the members
of the legislative body are also members of a legislative body as
that term is defined by subdivision (a) of Section 54952.