text: Any state officer or employee not covered by Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 19815) of Division 5 when working overtime at his or her headquarters on state business may receive his or her actual and necessary expenses, during his or her regular workweek, subject to rules and regulations adopted by the Department of General Services limiting the amount of the expenses and prescribing the conditions under which the expenses may be paid. However, each state agency may determine the necessity for and limit these expenses of its employees in a manner that does not conflict with and is within the limitations prescribed by the Department of General Services.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 31, Sec. 69. (SB 836) Effective June 27, 2016.)

article: 3. Traveling Expenses


kind: section

code: GOV

text: Any state officer or officer or employee of any state agency may, when traveling on state business, fly in state-owned or leased civil aircraft as a passenger or as part of the crew.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1951, Ch. 1612.)

division: 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

chapter: 1. State Agencies

article: 3. Traveling Expenses

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. State Agencies > 3. Traveling Expenses


text: The headquarters of elective constitutional officers, other than Members of the Legislature, shall be established by the filing of a written statement with the Department of General Services that certifies that the selected headquarters is the place where the officer spends the largest portion of his or her regular workdays or working time.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 31, Sec. 70. (SB 836) Effective June 27, 2016.)

title: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

article: 3. Traveling Expenses


text: The headquarters of the Franchise Tax Commissioner is in the City of Sacramento. From and after the effective date of this section the Franchise Tax Commissioner shall actually maintain his office in the City of Sacramento and shall reside in the County of Sacramento.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 1174.)

article: 3. Traveling Expenses


text: Any state officer or employee of any state agency may confer with other persons, associations, or organizations outside of the state whenever it may be of assistance in the conduct of state business. Actual and necessary expenses for travel outside of the state as authorized by this section shall be allowed when approved by the Governor. This section shall not apply to employees of any legislative committee or to the Legislative Counsel or his or her employees.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 751, Sec. 21. Effective September 30, 2008.)

article: 3. Traveling Expenses


text: No state officer or employee shall absent himself or herself from the state on business of the state without the prior approval of the Governor, except when the absence is for less than five consecutive working days’ duration and involves only travel into states bordering upon this state. This section shall not apply to elective state officers, employees of any legislative committee, or to the Legislative Counsel or his or her employees.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 751, Sec. 22. Effective September 30, 2008.)

article: 3. Traveling Expenses


text: Sections 11032 and 11033 shall not apply to any member of the Commission on Uniform State Laws.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1335, Sec. 4.)

article: 3. Traveling Expenses


text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that overall fiscal efficiency and economy in state government be enhanced by employment of the Attorney General as counsel for the representation of state agencies and employees in judicial and administrative adjudicative proceedings.

The Legislature finds that it is in the best interests of the people of the State of California that the Attorney General be provided with the fiscal resources needed to develop and maintain the Attorney General’s capability to provide competent legal representation of state agencies and employees in any judicial or administrative adjudicative proceeding.

(b) As used in this article:

(1) “In-house counsel” means an attorney authorized to practice law in the State of California who is a state employee, including an excluded or exempt employee, other than an employee of the Office of the Attorney General.

(2) “Outside counsel” means an attorney authorized to practice law in the State of California who is not a state employee, including an excluded or exempt employee.

(c) Except with respect to employment by the state officers and agencies specified by title or name in Section 11041, when employing outside counsel for purposes described in subdivision (e) of Section 11043, or when specifically waived by statute other than Section 11041, a state agency shall obtain the written consent of the Attorney General before doing either of the following:

(1) Employing in-house counsel to represent a state agency or employee in any judicial or administrative adjudicative proceeding.

(2) Contracting with outside counsel.

(d) Except as limited by paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), a state agency may employ in-house counsel for any purpose. This subdivision shall apply retroactively to the employment of any in-house counsel by any state agency before the operative date of the act adding this subdivision.

(e) This article does not prohibit a state agency from requesting legal representation or legal services from the Attorney General for any purpose.

(f) Consistent with subdivision (d), and except as may conflict with contrary authorization by statute, a state agency may employ in-house counsel for advice or other legal work related to bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, but shall engage the Attorney General, alone or with other counsel as may be authorized by statute, for the purpose of delivering any approving legal opinion on bonds or other evidences of indebtedness and advice related to the approving legal opinion. The Attorney General may waive the requirement under this subdivision.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 20, Sec. 21. (AB 137) Effective June 30, 2025.)

article: 4. Legal Services

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. State Agencies > 4. Legal Services


text:
(a) Section 11042 does not apply to the office of the Governor, the Regents of the University of California, the Trustees of the California State University, Legal Division of the Department of Transportation, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement of the Department of Industrial Relations, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, Public Utilities Commission, State Compensation Insurance Fund, Legislative Counsel Bureau, Inheritance Tax Department, Secretary of State, State Lands Commission, Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board (except when the board affirms the decision of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control), Department of Cannabis Control (except in proceedings in state or federal court), State Department of Education, Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and Treasurer with respect to bonds, nor to any other state agency which, by law enacted after Chapter 213 of the Statutes of 1933, is authorized to employ legal counsel.

(b) The Trustees of the California State University shall pay the cost of employing legal counsel from their existing resources.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 20, Sec. 22. (AB 137) Effective June 30, 2025.)

article: 4. Legal Services


text:
(a) For purposes of promoting fiscal efficiency and economy, no state agency shall employ any in-house counsel to act on behalf of the state agency or its employees in any judicial or administrative adjudicative proceeding in which the agency is interested, or is a party as a result of office or official duties, or contract with outside counsel for any purpose, unless the agency has first obtained the written consent of the Attorney General pursuant to Section 11040.

(b) The Attorney General may provide written consent for a state agency to employ in-house counsel to represent the agency or its employees in any judicial or administrative adjudicative proceeding in whatever manner the Attorney General deems most effective and consistent with the intent of this article. However, a state agency shall obtain written consent for the use of outside counsel for a matter or matters for which the outside counsel is to be engaged before the execution of each contract with the outside counsel for the matter or matters.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 20, Sec. 23. (AB 137) Effective June 30, 2025.)

article: 4. Legal Services


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) The Attorney General performs separate functions in enforcing state laws, pursuant to Section 13 of Article V of the California Constitution, and serving as counsel, whenever requested, for the representation of state agencies and employees in judicial and administrative adjudicative proceedings and other matters.

(2) When a state agency requests representation by the Attorney General, the Attorney General establishes an attorney-client relationship with a state agency that is limited to the specific matter or matters for which the state agency has requested representation.

(3) It is important to uphold the divided executive branch enacted by the California Constitution.

(4) The findings provided in this subdivision are declaratory of existing law, as demonstrated in People ex rel. Lockyer v. Superior Court (2004) 122 Cal.App.4th 1060 and People v. Superior Court (Barrett) (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1305.

(b) The Attorney General has no control over any state agency’s decisions or possession, custody, or control over any state agency’s documents or electronically stored information for purposes of criminal or civil discovery or any other purpose.

(c) Every state agency is a separate legal entity. Unless an agency is in actual possession of the relevant documents or electronically stored information, no state agency has possession, custody, or control over any other state agency’s documents or electronically stored information for purposes of criminal or civil discovery or the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1). Service of a summons, complaint, or subpoena on one state agency is not lawful service on any other state agency, unless the state agency served has been authorized to accept service on behalf of the other state agency.

(d) When the Attorney General institutes or defends an action in their independent capacity on behalf of the State of California or the people of the State of California, the Attorney General acts in the public interest of the State of California and its residents and not as the legal representative or attorney of any state entity, including entities within the executive, legislative, or judicial branches. State agencies are not parties to an action described in this subdivision, unless they are specifically named as a party, and the documents or electronically stored information of state agencies are not in the possession, custody, or control of the Attorney General.

(e) (1) Section 11042 does not apply for purposes of representation of a state agency related to civil discovery, whether sought as party or third-party discovery, in any action brought by the Attorney General in their independent capacity on behalf of the people of the State of California or the State of California.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall prohibit a state agency from requesting representation from the Attorney General in a proceeding otherwise subject to paragraph (1).

(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that this section be interpreted broadly to include any action filed by the Attorney General, whether filed in federal court or state court, to enforce state laws or defend the interests of the people of the State of California or the State of California where the Attorney General has not been requested to act as counsel for that state agency.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 20, Sec. 24. (AB 137) Effective June 30, 2025.)

article: 4. Legal Services


text:
(a) The Legal Services Revolving Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. The Department of Justice shall administer this fund. Moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, shall be used by the Attorney General for investigation and litigation activities taken on behalf of the state agencies employing the legal services of the department and for investigation and litigation activities funded through judgments or settlements.

(b) For state agencies, departments, or programs that are charged for the costs of legal services rendered by the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall charge an amount sufficient to recover the costs incurred in providing the legal services. These funds shall be deposited into the Legal Services Revolving Fund.

(c) Upon the request of the Attorney General in the form prescribed by the Controller, the Controller shall transfer the amount of the charges for services rendered from the agency’s appropriation to the appropriation for the support of the Attorney General’s office using the Controller’s direct transfer process. Payments for these charges shall be credited to and in augmentation of the appropriation for the support of the Attorney General’s office from which the cost of the services was or will be paid.

(d) A state agency that has a dispute regarding charges for legal services provided by the Attorney General shall notify the Attorney General, in writing, of the dispute and the basis for it. All disputes shall be resolved in accordance with subdivision (l) of Section 8474.1 of Chapter 8400 of the State Administrative Manual. Upon resolution of the dispute in favor of the state agency, the Attorney General shall provide a credit to the state agency for the amount of the charges in dispute.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 10, Sec. 1. (SB 78) Effective March 24, 2011.)

article: 4. Legal Services


text:
(a) (1) Whenever a state agency requests the consent of the Attorney General to contract with outside counsel, as required by Sections 11040 and 11042, the state agency shall within five business days of the date the request is transmitted to the Attorney General provide the designated representative of State Employees Bargaining Unit 2 with written notification of the request. The notice shall include the items enumerated in subdivision (d).

(2) All state agencies, other than the office of the Attorney General, that are not required to obtain the consent to contract with outside counsel required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 11040 and Section 11042, shall provide written notice of any proposed contract for outside counsel to the designated representative of State Employees Bargaining Unit 2 five business days before execution of the contract by the state agency. The notice shall include the items required by subdivision (d). In the event of an emergency that requires the immediate employment of outside counsel, the state agency shall provide the written notice no later than five business days after the contract with outside counsel is signed.

(3) Whenever the Attorney General determines the need to employ outside counsel pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12520, the Attorney General shall give written notice to the designated representative of State Employees Bargaining Unit 2 within 10 days of that determination. The notice shall include the items enumerated in subdivision (d).

(b) The Attorney General shall provide the designated representative of State Employees Bargaining Unit 2 with a written report, at least monthly, of all consents granted to every state agency pursuant to Section 11040.

(c) Notwithstanding the above notice requirements, whenever any state agency submits a proposed contract for outside counsel to the Department of General Services pursuant to Section 10335 of the Public Contract Code, the agency shall provide a copy of the contract to the designated representative of State Employees Bargaining Unit 2.

(d) “Written notice” within the meaning of this section shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) A copy of the complaint or other pleadings, if any, that gave rise to the litigation or matter for which a contract is being sought, or other identifying information.

(2) The justification for the contract, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 19130.

(3) The nature of the legal services to be performed.

(4) The estimated hourly wage to be paid under the contract.

(5) The estimated length of the contract.

(6) The identity of the person or entity that is entering into the contract with the state.

(e) “State agency,” as used in this section, means every state office, department, division, bureau, board, or commission, including the Board of Directors of the State Compensation Insurance Fund, but does not include the Regents of the University of California, the Trustees of the California State University, the Legislature, the courts, or any agency in the judicial branch of government.

(f) (1) The notice requirements of this section do not apply to contracts for expert witnesses or consultations in connection with a confidential investigation or to any confidential component of a pending or active legal action.

(2) The exemption authorized in paragraph (1) shall only apply as long as necessary to protect the confidentiality of the investigation or the confidential component of a pending or active legal action.

(3) Disclosures made pursuant to this section are deemed to be privileged communications for purposes of subdivision (c) of Section 912 of the Evidence Code, and shall not be construed to be a waiver of any privilege or exemption provided by law, including, but not limited to, the lawyer-client privilege, as described in Section 952 of the Evidence Code, or attorney work product, as described in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 2018.010) of Title 4 of Part 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(g) If the provisions of this section are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding or other written agreement reached pursuant to Section 3517 or 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding or agreement shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if any provision of the memorandum of understanding or other agreement requires the expenditure of funds, the provisions may not become effective unless approved by the Legislature.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 17, Sec. 11. (AB 103) Effective June 27, 2017.)

article: 4. Legal Services


text: Whenever any state agency is required or authorized by law to prepare and cause the publishing of any notice, advertisement or publication in any newspaper or other medium, it shall properly prepare the notice, advertisement or publication and deliver it to the Department of General Services in due time for publication.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 371.)

article: 5. Advertisements

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. State Agencies > 5. Advertisements


text: After approval of the notice, advertisement or publication, the Department of General Services shall cause it to be published in the newspapers or other medium required by law. The Department of General Services has exclusive control of the publication of all such advertisements, publications, and notices.

article: 5. Advertisements


text: On order of the Governor the head of each State agency shall make a report to the Governor giving an account of all matters pertaining to the agency covering the period specified by the Governor.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1945, Ch. 111.)

article: 6. Reports and Records

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. State Agencies > 6. Reports and Records


text: The head of each state agency shall make a written report of its activities to the Governor at least biennially, a copy of which shall be filed with the Secretary of State. No biennial or annual reports of agency activities shall be printed without the approval of the Department of General Services.

article: 6. Reports and Records


text: Each state agency and department shall, in the maintenance of any statistical tabulation of minority groups, commence the categorization of Filipinos as Filipinos not later than 60 days following the operative date of this section.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1974, Ch. 1233.)

article: 6. Reports and Records


text: Each state agency and department shall, in the maintenance of statistical tabulation of minority groups, commence the categorization of Pacific Islanders as Pacific Islanders not later than March 1, 1985. As used in this section, “Pacific Islander” means a person who is defined as such by the 1980 federal census. Nothing in this section shall require a state agency or department to collect data for any study that was completed prior to January 1, 1985.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 405, Sec. 1.)

article: 6. Reports and Records


text:
(a) (1) Any state agency or department that develops and maintains data and statistics on the municipal level, shall, in the preparation and maintenance of any statistical analyses, by city, either by population, fiscal, or other bases, make a separate breakdown of the San Fernando Valley, and shall require the City of Los Angeles to provide all necessary data.

(2) If the use of a tax area code is required in order to comply with paragraph (1), an alternate method may be used to determine the separate breakdown of the San Fernando Valley.

(b) The Controller may, upon request therefor contained in a motion adopted by the City Council of the City of Los Angeles, designate additional statistical areas within the City of Los Angeles, except that the additional statistical areas shall in no event exceed three in number.

(c) For purposes of this section, the San Fernando Valley is all the portion of Los Angeles City that is described as follows:

From a point commencing where the City of Los Angeles most northerly boundary intersects with the Golden State Freeway and following on the city boundary in an easterly direction where that boundary first intersects with the boundary of the City of Burbank; thence continuing southeasterly along the Burbank City boundary to its intersection with Barham Boulevard; thence in a southerly direction on Barham Boulevard to its intersection with Cahuenga Boulevard; thence in a southeasterly direction on Cahuenga Boulevard to Mulholland Drive; thence along Mulholland Drive to Owen Brown Road; thence in a southerly direction on Owen Brown Road to its intersection with the Los Angeles City boundary; thence following the Los Angeles City boundary west and northerly until that boundary intersects with the starting point at the Golden State Freeway.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 181, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 6. Reports and Records


text:
(a) (1) The State Board of Equalization, Employment Development Department, Department of Industrial Relations, Department of Finance, and the Department of Transportation, shall, in the preparation and maintenance of any statistical analyses and data, by city, either by population, fiscal, or other bases, make a separate breakdown of the community of Hollywood, and shall require the City of Los Angeles to provide all necessary data at the sole expense of the City of Los Angeles.

(2) If the use of a tax area code is required in order to comply with paragraph (1), an alternate method may be used to determine the separate breakdown of the community of Hollywood.

(3) The state entities specified in paragraph (1) are required to implement the data reporting and analysis requirements of this subdivision only to the extent that data is available from federal, state, or local sources that provide data for other jurisdictions or is provided by the City of Los Angeles. Those state entities are not required to develop or collect data. No data shall be reported that would violate data confidentiality agreements or rules. The state entities are not required to report data that would not meet the statistical accuracy standards for the publication or data series to which they relate. The state entities may report special analyses or data compilations for the community of Hollywood, if reimbursement or other funding is provided.

(b) For purposes of this section, the community of Hollywood is all the portion of Los Angeles City that is described as follows:

(1) The City of Los Angeles Hollywood Community Plan Area, which was established in 1974 (Council File 72–1629). For statistical reporting purposes, the City of Los Angeles’ Hollywood Community Plan Area is comprised of selected United States Census Tracts. Per the tracts established by the 2000 United States Census, the area’s selected tract numbers are: 188200, 189100, 189200, 189300, 189400, 189500, 189600, 189701, 189702, 189800, 189901, 189902, 190100, 190200, 190301, 190400, 190510, 190520, 190700, 190800, 190901, 190902, 191000, 191110, 191120, 191201, 191203, 191204, 191300, 191410, 191420, 191500, 191610, 191620, 191710, 191720, 191810, 191820, 191900, 192000, 192610 (partial), 194100, 194200, 194300, 194400, 195200, 195300.

(2) At the northeastern corner, from a point commencing where the Ventura Freeway intersects with the Golden State Freeway at the Los Angeles River and then following the Los Angeles River in an easterly and then southerly direction to its intersection with the northernmost traffic lanes of the westbound Ventura Freeway; thence west on the Ventura Freeway to its intersection with the easternmost right-of-way of the Golden State Freeway and following the easternmost right-of-way of the Golden State Freeway in a southerly direction to the point where it intersects Glendale Boulevard; thence continuing southerly on Glendale Boulevard to its intersection with Rowena Avenue; thence continuing westerly on Rowena Avenue to its intersection with Hyperion Avenue; thence continuing southwesterly on Hyperion Avenue to its intersection with Fountain Avenue; thence continuing westerly on Fountain Avenue to its intersection with Sunset Boulevard; thence continuing southeasterly on Sunset Boulevard to its intersection with Santa Monica Boulevard; thence continuing westerly on Santa Monica Boulevard to its intersection with Hoover Street; thence continuing southerly on Hoover Street to its intersection with Melrose Avenue; thence continuing westerly on Melrose Avenue to its intersection with Seward Street; thence continuing southerly on Seward Street to its intersection with Rosewood Avenue; thence continuing westerly on Rosewood Avenue to its intersection with Sweetzer Avenue; thence continuing northerly on Sweetzer Avenue to a point south of Melrose Avenue; following the common boundaries of the City of Los Angeles and the City of West Hollywood thence continuing westerly along that point to its intersection with a point west of La Cienega Boulevard; thence continuing northerly along the cities’ boundaries (west of La Cienega Boulevard) to Romaine Street; thence continuing easterly on Romaine Street to its intersection with Orlando Avenue; thence continuing southerly on Orlando Avenue to its intersection with Waring Avenue; thence continuing easterly on Waring Avenue to its intersection with Sweetzer Avenue; thence continuing northerly on Sweetzer Avenue to its intersection with Willoughby Avenue; thence continuing easterly on Willoughby Avenue to just west of Crescent Heights Boulevard; thence following the City of Los Angeles and City of West Hollywood boundaries northerly to Romaine Street; thence following the cities’ boundaries easterly along Romaine Street to its intersection with Hayworth Avenue; thence following the cities’ boundaries southerly to their intersection with Willoughby Avenue; thence continuing easterly on Willoughby Avenue to its intersection with Gardner Street; thence following the cities’ boundaries northerly to their intersection with Romaine Street; thence continuing easterly along Romaine Street and following the cities’ boundaries to their intersection with La Brea Avenue; thence continuing northerly along the cities’ boundaries to their intersection with Fountain Avenue; thence continuing westerly along Fountain Avenue to its intersection with Fairfax Avenue; thence continuing northerly on Fairfax Avenue to the cities’ boundaries just north of De Longpre Avenue; thence continuing westerly along the cities’ boundaries to their intersection with Havenhurst Avenue; thence, at a point where Havenhurst Avenue intersects Sunset Boulevard, following the cities’ boundaries westerly to just west of the point where Shoreham Drive intersects La Collina Drive and at the point where the City of Los Angeles, City of West Hollywood, and City of Beverly Hills meet; thence continuing northerly along the boundaries of the City of Los Angeles and the City of Beverly Hills to the point where Crescent Drive intersects with Wonderland Avenue; thence continuing northeasterly on Wonderland Avenue to its intersection with Laurel Pass Avenue; thence continuing easterly on Wonderland Avenue to its intersection with Laurel Canyon Boulevard; thence continuing northerly on Laurel Canyon Boulevard to its intersection with Mulholland Drive; thence continuing easterly on Mulholland Drive to its intersection with Cahuenga Boulevard; thence continuing northeasterly on Cahuenga Boulevard to its intersection with Barham Boulevard; thence continuing northerly on Barham Boulevard to its intersection with the boundary of the City of Burbank at the point where Barham Boulevard intersects the Los Angeles River; thence continuing northeasterly along the boundaries of the City of Los Angeles and the City of Burbank to the point where the City of Los Angeles, the City of Burbank, and the City of Glendale meet; thence continuing easterly along the boundaries of the City of Los Angeles and the City of Glendale until they intersect with the starting point at the Golden State Freeway.

(c) The state entities specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall request authority to use data and analysis tools developed for federal programs, as needed, to provide the analyses described in subdivision (a). The state entities shall not be required to use federal funds or federally controlled resources for the purposes of this section unless that use is allowed under federal statute, regulation, or rule.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 185, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

article: 6. Reports and Records


text:
(a) (1) The Employment Development Department shall, in the preparation and maintenance of any statistical analyses and data, by city, either by population, fiscal, or other bases, make a separate breakdown of the Antelope Valley using the boundaries described in subdivision (b). The statistical analyses and data shall include, but is not limited to, the following: wages, consumer price index, prevailing wage, unemployment, occupational wages, and median income.

(2) The Department of Finance shall, in the preparation and maintenance of any statistical analyses and data, by city, either by population, fiscal, or other bases, make a separate breakdown of the Antelope Valley using the boundaries described in subdivision (b). The department shall provide statistical analyses and data from any additional information it receives from the cities that are affected by this section and the information it receives through the census.

(3) If the use of a tax area code is required in order to comply with paragraphs (1) and (2), an alternate method shall be used to determine the separate breakdown of the Antelope Valley. An alternate method shall include the sum of the taxable sales attributable to all of the incorporated cities in the Antelope Valley and the taxable sales attributable to the unincorporated areas of the Counties of Kern and Los Angeles that are part of the Antelope Valley.

(b) For purposes of this section, the Antelope Valley is the census tracts or ZIP Codes that are closely bounded by the base of the Tehachapi Mountains moving southwesterly to Interstate Highway 5, down the base of the San Gabriel Mountains moving southeasterly to the San Bernardino County line, follow the San Bernardino County line north, to the northern line of California City, then west to the base of the Tehachapi Mountains.

(c) The Legislature encourages the Counties of Kern and Los Angeles to voluntarily provide data for the purposes of this section.

(d) The Department of Finance and the Employment Development Department are required to implement the data reporting and analysis requirements of subdivision (a) only to the extent that data is available from the federal, state, or local sources that provide data for other jurisdictions or is provided by Kern and Los Angeles Counties. The departments are not required to develop or collect data. No data shall be reported that would violate data confidentiality agreements or rules. The departments are not required to report data that would not meet the statistical accuracy standards for the publication or data series to which they relate. The departments may report special analyses or data compilations for Antelope Valley, if reimbursement or other funding is provided.

(e) The Employment Development Department shall request authority to use data and analysis tools developed for federal programs, as needed, to provide the analyses described in subdivision (a). The department shall not be required to use federal funds or federally controlled resources for the purposes of this section, unless that use is allowed under federal rules.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 173, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.)

article: 6. Reports and Records


text: Each state agency or department authorized to undertake any infrastructure project costing one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) or more shall publicly post on its internet website any change in the cost or schedule of the project that would result in the project exceeding its established budget by 10 percent or more or in delaying its completion by 12 months or longer. The posted information shall describe how much the project is expected to exceed its established budget or delay its construction schedule.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 136. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)

article: 6. Reports and Records


text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this article, to reduce the excessive flow of unsolicited state agency reports which, after being written, printed, and distributed at significant public expense, are received without having been requested by legislative offices, state agency offices, and other recipients who often shelve, destroy, or otherwise dispose of the unsolicited material often, again, at significant public expense.

(b) In enacting this article, it is not the intent of the Legislature to reduce the free flow of information between state government and the public but, rather, to reduce the use of state government publications for other than required informational purposes and to effect a reduction in the escalating public expense of writing, printing, and distributing unsolicited state agency reports.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1632, Sec. 1. Effective October 1, 1982.)

article: 6.5. Distribution of State Publications

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. State Agencies > 6.5. Distribution of State Publications


text:
(a) No state agency shall distribute a state publication, as defined in Section 14902, except in response to a specific request therefor, or to the subjects of a mailing list or distribution list who have previously requested the automatic receipt of reports of this type, or pursuant to Sections 14900, 14901, 14903, 14904, 14905.1, and 14907. This section shall not apply to the following publications:

(1) Public information pamphlets.

(2) Copies of legislative bills.

(3) Copies of statutes, laws, and regulations.

(4) Any information disseminated to the press.

(5) Publications which are applications, instructions, or guidelines for complying with any state or federal law, regulation, or policy.

(6) Directories.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a state agency from distributing an abstract which contains a description of any reports submitted to the Legislature, and of any other information that is available upon request.

article: 6.5. Distribution of State Publications


text: Beginning with the 1984–85 fiscal year, each state agency shall include in its budget request a listing of state publications, as defined in Section 14902, which were added by legislative mandate or otherwise during the previous fiscal year.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 528, Sec. 2.)

article: 6.5. Distribution of State Publications


text: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when funding for any legislatively mandated publication is discontinued in the Budget Act, the statutory mandate for that publication shall be automatically suspended.

article: 6.5. Distribution of State Publications


text:
Each state agency that publishes or distributes a state publication, as defined in Section 14902, shall file a copy of the publication with the Joint Committee on Rules if it has published or distributed more than 1000 copies of the publication in the preceding 12 months. This section shall not apply to any of the following publications:

(a) Copies of legislative bills.

(b) Copies of statutes, laws, and regulations.

(c) Any information disseminated solely to the press.

(d) Publications that are applications, instructions, or guidelines for complying with any state or federal law, regulation, or policy.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 528, Sec. 3.)

article: 6.5. Distribution of State Publications


text: The Controller or other State disbursing officer may secure and use a facsimile signature machine and sign or countersign all warrants or checks issued in pursuance of his duties by placing a facsimile signature thereon with such machine.

article: 7. Signatures

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. State Agencies > 7. Signatures


text: The Controller and any other state disbursing officer using that machine may secure forgery insurance protecting himself or herself and all funds under his or her control or under the control of the state agency to which the disbursing officer is attached against forgery resulting from or occasioned by the use of the machine, or which would not have occurred had the machine not been in use.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 320, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 1997.)

article: 7. Signatures


text: The premiums on forgery insurance are a proper charge against appropriations for the support or maintenance of the officer using the machine or the State agency to which the officer is attached.

article: 7. Signatures


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any requirement that a state agency send material, information, notices, correspondence, or other communication through the United States mail shall be deemed to include the authority for the state agency to send that material, information, notice, correspondence, or other communication by electronic mail upon the request of the recipient, unless impracticable to do so, or unless contrary to state or federal law.

(b) Any state agency may require that direct costs incurred by the agency involving the electronic transmission of information be paid by the requester pursuant to this section and the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1).

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit an agency to act in a manner inconsistent with the standards adopted pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1) and the Information Practices Act of 1977 (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1798) of Title 1.8 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 160. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)

article: 7. Signatures


text: The form of all bonds of licensees, permittees, and all persons other than public officers and employees, furnishing bonds to a State department, office, board, commission or bureau in pursuance of State law shall be on a form which form has been approved as to conformity with applicable law by the Attorney General.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1945, Ch. 1291.)

article: 8. Bonds of Licensees and Permittees

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. State Agencies > 8. Bonds of Licensees and Permittees


text: The Attorney General may from time to time modify or revoke approvals so given.

article: 8. Bonds of Licensees and Permittees


text: The approval, modification, or revocation of the Attorney General shall be by regulation filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 11380.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1961, Ch. 84.)

article: 8. Bonds of Licensees and Permittees


text: The Attorney General may consult with private persons, groups, and associations as to bond forms to be approved, modified, or revoked.

article: 8. Bonds of Licensees and Permittees


text:
It is the public policy of this state that public agencies exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business and the proceedings of public agencies be conducted openly so that the public may remain informed.

In enacting this article the Legislature finds and declares that it is the intent of the law that actions of state agencies be taken openly and that their deliberation be conducted openly.

The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 968, Sec. 4.)

article: 9. Meetings

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. State Agencies > 9. Meetings


text:
As used in this article, “state body” means each of the following:

(a) Every state board, or commission, or similar multimember body of the state that is created by statute or required by law to conduct official meetings and every commission created by executive order.

(b) A board, commission, committee, or similar multimember body that exercises any authority of a state body delegated to it by that state body.

(c) An advisory board, advisory commission, advisory committee, advisory subcommittee, or similar multimember advisory body of a state body, if created by formal action of the state body or of any member of the state body, and if the advisory body so created consists of three or more persons.

(d) A board, commission, committee, or similar multimember body on which a member of a body that is a state body pursuant to this section serves in his or her official capacity as a representative of that state body and that is supported, in whole or in part, by funds provided by the state body, whether the multimember body is organized and operated by the state body or by a private corporation.

(e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 11121.1, the State Bar of California, as described in Section 6001 of the Business and Professions Code. This subdivision shall become operative on April 1, 2016.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 537, Sec. 22. (SB 387) Effective January 1, 2016.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
As used in this article, “state body” does not include any of the following:

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (e) of Section 11121, state agencies provided for in Article VI of the California Constitution.

(b) Districts or other local agencies whose meetings are required to be open to the public pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5).

(c) State agencies provided for in Article IV of the California Constitution whose meetings are required to be open to the public pursuant to the Grunsky-Burton Open Meeting Act (Article 2.2 (commencing with Section 9027) of Chapter 1.5 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 2).

(d) State agencies when they are conducting proceedings pursuant to Section 3596.

(e) State agencies provided for in Section 109260 of the Health and Safety Code, except as provided in Section 109390 of the Health and Safety Code.

(f) The Credit Union Advisory Committee established pursuant to Section 14380 of the Financial Code.

(g) (1) Panel members assigned by the chairperson of the Research Advisory Panel to conduct an expedited review pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 11480.1 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2) This subdivision shall become inoperative on January 1, 2028.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 571, Sec. 1. (AB 1103) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 9. Meetings


text: Each state body shall provide a copy of this article to each member of the state body upon his or her appointment to membership or assumption of office.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 968, Sec. 7.1.)

article: 9. Meetings


text: Any person appointed or elected to serve as a member of a state body who has not yet assumed the duties of office shall conform his or her conduct to the requirements of this article and shall be treated for purposes of this article as if he or she has already assumed office.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 949, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1998.)

article: 9. Meetings


text: As used in this article “action taken” means a collective decision made by the members of a state body, a collective commitment or promise by the members of the state body to make a positive or negative decision or an actual vote by the members of a state body when sitting as a body or entity upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order or similar action.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 968, Sec. 7.3.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) As used in this article, “meeting” includes any congregation of a majority of the members of a state body at the same time and place to hear, discuss, or deliberate upon any item that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the state body to which it pertains.

(b) (1) A majority of the members of a state body shall not, outside of a meeting authorized by this chapter, use a series of communications of any kind, directly or through intermediaries, to discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item of business that is within the subject matter of the state body.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not be construed to prevent an employee or official of a state agency from engaging in separate conversations or communications outside of a meeting authorized by this chapter with members of a legislative body in order to answer questions or provide information regarding a matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the state agency, if that person does not communicate to members of the legislative body the comments or position of any other member or members of the legislative body.

(c) The prohibitions of this article do not apply to any of the following:

(1) Individual contacts or conversations between a member of a state body and any other person that do not violate subdivision (b).

(2) (A) The attendance of a majority of the members of a state body at a conference or similar gathering open to the public that involves a discussion of issues of general interest to the public or to public agencies of the type represented by the state body, if a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled program, business of a specified nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the state body.

(B) Subparagraph (A) does not allow members of the public free admission to a conference or similar gathering at which the organizers have required other participants or registrants to pay fees or charges as a condition of attendance.

(3) The attendance of a majority of the members of a state body at an open and publicized meeting organized to address a topic of state concern by a person or organization other than the state body, if a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled program, business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the state body.

(4) The attendance of a majority of the members of a state body at an open and noticed meeting of another state body or of a legislative body of a local agency as defined by Section 54951, if a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled meeting, business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the other state body.

(5) The attendance of a majority of the members of a state body at a purely social or ceremonial occasion, if a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the state body.

(6) The attendance of a majority of the members of a state body at an open and noticed meeting of a standing committee of that body, if the members of the state body who are not members of the standing committee attend only as observers.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 150, Sec. 1. (AB 1494) Effective January 1, 2010.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) All meetings of a state body shall be open and public and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of a state body except as otherwise provided in this article.

(b) (1) This article does not prohibit a state body from holding an open or closed meeting by teleconference for the benefit of the public and state body. The meeting or proceeding held by teleconference shall otherwise comply with all applicable requirements or laws relating to a specific type of meeting or proceeding, including the following:

(A) The teleconferencing meeting shall comply with all requirements of this article applicable to other meetings.

(B) The portion of the teleconferenced meeting that is required to be open to the public shall be audible to the public at the location specified in the notice of the meeting.

(C) If the state body elects to conduct a meeting or proceeding by teleconference, it shall post agendas at all teleconference locations and conduct teleconference meetings in a manner that protects the rights of any party or member of the public appearing before the state body. Each teleconference location shall be identified in the notice and agenda of the meeting or proceeding, and each teleconference location shall be accessible to the public. The agenda shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the state body directly pursuant to Section 11125.7 at each teleconference location.

(D) All votes taken during a teleconferenced meeting shall be by rollcall.

(E) The portion of the teleconferenced meeting that is closed to the public may not include the consideration of any agenda item being heard pursuant to Section 11125.5.

(F) At least one member of the state body shall be physically present at the location specified in the notice of the meeting.

(2) For the purposes of this subdivision, “teleconference” means a meeting of a state body, the members of which are at different locations, connected by electronic means, through either audio or both audio and video. This section does not prohibit a state body from providing members of the public with additional locations in which the public may observe or address the state body by electronic means, through either audio or both audio and video.

(c) The state body shall publicly report any action taken and the vote or abstention on that action of each member present for the action.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 510, Sec. 1. (AB 2720) Effective January 1, 2015.)

article: 9. Meetings


text: All meetings of a state body that are open and public shall meet the protections and prohibitions contained in 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.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 300, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Teleconference” means a meeting of a state body, the members of which are at different locations, connected by electronic means, through either audio or both audio and video.

(2) “Teleconference location” means a physical location that is accessible to the public and from which members of the public may participate in the meeting.

(3) “Remote location” means a location from which a member of a state body participates in a meeting other than a teleconference location.

(4) “Participate remotely” means participation by a member of the body in a meeting at a remote location other than a teleconference location designated in the notice of the meeting.

(b) (1) In addition to the authorization to hold a meeting by teleconference pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11123 and Section 11123.5, a state body may hold an open or closed meeting by teleconference as described in this section, provided the meeting complies with all of this section’s requirements and, except as set forth in this section, it also complies with all other applicable requirements of this article relating to the specific type of meeting.

(2) This section does not limit or affect the ability of a state body to hold a teleconference meeting under another provision of this article, including Sections 11123 and 11123.5.

(c) The portion of the teleconferenced meeting that is required to be open to the public shall be visible and audible to the public at each teleconference location.

(d) (1) The state body shall provide a means by which the public may remotely hear audio of the meeting, remotely observe the meeting, remotely address the body, or attend the meeting by providing on the posted agenda a teleconference telephone number, an internet website or other online platform, and a physical address for each teleconference location. The telephonic or online means provided to the public to access the meeting shall be equivalent to the telephonic or online means provided to a member of the state body participating remotely.

(2) The applicable teleconference telephone number, internet website or other online platform, and physical address of each teleconference location, as well as any other information indicating how the public can access the meeting remotely and in person, shall be specified in any notice required by this article.

(3) If the state body allows members of the public to observe and address the meeting telephonically or otherwise electronically, the state body shall do both of the following:

(A) Implement a procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving requests for reasonable modification or accommodation from individuals with disabilities, consistent with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), and resolving any doubt whatsoever in favor of accessibility.

(B) Advertise that procedure each time notice is given of the means by which members of the public may observe the meeting and offer public comment.

(e) This section does not prohibit a state body from providing members of the public with additional locations from which the public may observe or address the state body by electronic means, through either audio or both audio and video.

(f) (1) The agenda shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the state body directly pursuant to Section 11125.7.

(2) Members of the public shall be entitled to exercise their right to directly address the state body during the teleconferenced meeting without being required to submit public comments before the meeting or in writing.

(g) The state body shall post the agenda on its internet website and, on the day of the meeting, at each teleconference location.

(h) This section does not affect the requirement prescribed by this article that the state body post an agenda of a meeting in accordance with the applicable notice requirements of this article, including Section 11125, requiring the state body to post an agenda of a meeting at least 10 days in advance of the meeting, Section 11125.4, applicable to special meetings, and Sections 11125.5 and 11125.6, applicable to emergency meetings.

(i) At least one member of the state body shall be physically present at each teleconference location.

(j) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a majority of the members of the state body shall be physically present at the same teleconference location. Additional members of the state body in excess of a majority of the members may attend and participate in the meeting from a remote location. A remote location is not required to be accessible to the public. The notice and agenda shall not disclose information regarding a remote location.

(2) A member attending and participating from a remote location may count toward the majority required to hold a teleconference if both of the following conditions are met:

(A) The member has a need related to a physical or mental disability, as those terms are defined in Sections 12926 and 12926.1, that is not otherwise reasonably accommodated pursuant to the federal Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.).

(B) The member notifies the state body at the earliest opportunity possible, including at the start of a meeting, of their need to participate remotely, including providing a general description of the circumstances relating to their need to participate remotely at the given meeting.

(3) If a member notifies the body of the member’s need to attend and participate remotely pursuant to paragraph (2), the body shall take action to approve the exception and shall request a general description of the circumstances relating to the member’s need to participate remotely at the meeting, for each meeting in which the member seeks to participate remotely. The body shall not require the member to provide a general description that exceeds 20 words or to disclose any medical diagnosis or disability, or any personal medical information that is already exempt under existing law, such as the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 56) of Division 1 of the Civil Code).

(4) If a member of the state body attends the meeting by teleconference from a remote location, the member shall disclose whether any other individuals 18 years of age or older are present in the room at the remote location with the member, and the general nature of the member’s relationship with any such individuals.

(k) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the members of the state body shall visibly appear on camera during the open portion of a meeting that is publicly accessible via the internet or other online platform.

(2) The visual appearance of a member of the state body on camera may cease only when the appearance would be technologically impracticable, including, but not limited to, when the member experiences a lack of reliable broadband or internet connectivity that would be remedied by joining without video, or when the visual display of meeting materials, information, or speakers on the internet or other online platform requires the visual appearance of a member of a state body on camera to cease.

(3) If a member of the state body does not appear on camera due to challenges with internet connectivity, the member shall announce the reason for their nonappearance when they turn off their camera.

(l) All votes taken during the teleconferenced meeting shall be by rollcall.

(m) The state body shall publicly report any action taken and the vote or abstention on that action of each member present for the action.

(n) The portion of the teleconferenced meeting that is closed to the public shall not include the consideration of any agenda item being heard pursuant to Section 11125.5.

(o) Upon discovering that a means of remote public access and participation required by subdivision (d) has failed during a meeting and cannot be restored, the state body shall end or adjourn the meeting in accordance with Section 11128.5. In addition to any other requirements that may apply, the state body shall provide notice of the meeting’s end or adjournment on the state body’s internet website and by email to any person who has requested notice of meetings of the state body by email under this article. If the meeting will be adjourned and reconvened on the same day, further notice shall be provided by an automated message on a telephone line posted on the state body’s agenda, internet website, or by a similar means, that will communicate when the state body intends to reconvene the meeting and how a member of the public may hear audio of the meeting or observe the meeting.

(p) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 222, Sec. 1. (SB 470) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2030, by its own provisions.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Participate remotely” means participation in a meeting at a location other than the physical location designated in the agenda of the meeting.

(2) “Remote location” means a location other than the primary physical location designated in the agenda of a meeting.

(3) “Teleconference” has the same meaning as in Section 11123.

(b) In addition to the authorization to hold a meeting by teleconference pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11123 or Section 11123.2, any state body that is an advisory board, advisory commission, advisory committee, advisory subcommittee, or similar multimember advisory body may hold an open meeting by teleconference as described in this section, provided the meeting complies with all of the section’s requirements and, except as set forth in this section, it also complies with all other applicable requirements of this article.

(c) A member of a state body as described in subdivision (b) who participates in a teleconference meeting from a remote location subject to this section’s requirements shall be listed in the minutes of the meeting.

(d) The state body shall provide notice to the public at least 24 hours before the meeting that identifies any member who will participate remotely by posting the notice on its internet website and by emailing notice to any person who has requested notice of meetings of the state body under this article. The location of a member of a state body who will participate remotely is not required to be disclosed in the public notice or email and need not be accessible to the public. The notice of the meeting shall also identify the primary physical meeting location designated pursuant to subdivision (f).

(e) This section does not affect the requirement prescribed by this article that the state body post an agenda of a meeting at least 10 days in advance of the meeting. The agenda shall include information regarding the physical meeting location designated pursuant to subdivision (f), but is not required to disclose information regarding any remote location.

(f) A state body described in subdivision (b) shall designate the primary physical meeting location in the notice of the meeting where members of the public may physically attend the meeting, observe and hear the meeting, and participate. At least one staff member of the state body shall be present at the primary physical meeting location during the meeting. The state body shall post the agenda at the primary physical meeting location, but need not post the agenda at a remote location.

(g) When a member of a state body described in subdivision (b) participates remotely in a meeting subject to this section’s requirements, the state body shall provide a means by which the public may remotely hear audio of the meeting or remotely observe the meeting, including, if available, equal access equivalent to members of the state body participating remotely. The applicable teleconference phone number or internet website, or other information indicating how the public can access the meeting remotely, shall be in the 24-hour notice described in subdivision (b) that is available to the public.

(h) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the members of the state body shall visibly appear on camera during the open portion of a meeting that is publicly accessible via the internet or other online platform.

(2) The visual appearance of a member of a state body on camera may cease only when the appearance would be technologically impracticable, including, but not limited to, when the member experiences a lack of reliable broadband or internet connectivity that would be remedied by joining without video, or when the visual display of meeting materials, information, or speakers on the internet or other online platform requires the visual appearance of a member of a state body on camera to cease.

(3) If a member of the body does not appear on camera due to challenges with internet connectivity, the member shall announce the reason for their nonappearance when they turn off their camera.

(i) Upon discovering that a means of remote access required by subdivision (g) has failed during a meeting, the state body described in subdivision (b) shall end or adjourn the meeting in accordance with Section 11128.5. In addition to any other requirements that may apply, the state body shall provide notice of the meeting’s end or adjournment on its internet website and by email to any person who has requested notice of meetings of the state body under this article. If the meeting will be adjourned and reconvened on the same day, further notice shall be provided by an automated message on a telephone line posted on the state body’s agenda, or by a similar means, that will communicate when the state body intends to reconvene the meeting and how a member of the public may hear audio of the meeting or observe the meeting.

(j) This section does not limit or affect the ability of a state body to hold a teleconference meeting under another provision of this article.

(k) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

history: (History: Amended (as amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 216, Sec. 2) by Stats. 2025, Ch. 222, Sec. 2. (SB 470) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2030, by its own provisions. See later operative version as amended by Sec. 3 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 222.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) In addition to the authorization to hold a meeting by teleconference pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11123, any state body that is an advisory board, advisory commission, advisory committee, advisory subcommittee, or similar multimember advisory body may hold an open meeting by teleconference as described in this section, provided the meeting complies with all of the section’s requirements and, except as set forth in this section, it also complies with all other applicable requirements of this article.

(b) A member of a state body as described in subdivision (a) who participates in a teleconference meeting from a remote location subject to this section’s requirements shall be listed in the minutes of the meeting.

(c) The state body shall provide notice to the public at least 24 hours before the meeting that identifies any member who will participate remotely by posting the notice on its internet website and by emailing notice to any person who has requested notice of meetings of the state body under this article. The location of a member of a state body who will participate remotely is not required to be disclosed in the public notice or email and need not be accessible to the public. The notice of the meeting shall also identify the primary physical meeting location designated pursuant to subdivision (e).

(d) This section does not affect the requirement prescribed by this article that the state body post an agenda of a meeting at least 10 days in advance of the meeting. The agenda shall include information regarding the physical meeting location designated pursuant to subdivision (e), but is not required to disclose information regarding any remote location.

(e) A state body described in subdivision (a) shall designate the primary physical meeting location in the notice of the meeting where members of the public may physically attend the meeting and participate. A quorum of the members of the state body shall be in attendance at the primary physical meeting location, and members of the state body participating remotely shall not count towards establishing a quorum. All decisions taken during a meeting by teleconference shall be by rollcall vote. The state body shall post the agenda at the primary physical meeting location, but need not post the agenda at a remote location.

(f) When a member of a state body described in subdivision (a) participates remotely in a meeting subject to this section’s requirements, the state body shall provide a means by which the public may remotely hear audio of the meeting or remotely observe the meeting, including, if available, equal access equivalent to members of the state body participating remotely. The applicable teleconference phone number or internet website, or other information indicating how the public can access the meeting remotely, shall be in the 24-hour notice described in subdivision (a) that is available to the public.

(g) Upon discovering that a means of remote access required by subdivision (f) has failed during a meeting, the state body described in subdivision (a) shall end or adjourn the meeting in accordance with Section 11128.5. In addition to any other requirements that may apply, the state body shall provide notice of the meeting’s end or adjournment on its internet website and by email to any person who has requested notice of meetings of the state body under this article. If the meeting will be adjourned and reconvened on the same day, further notice shall be provided by an automated message on a telephone line posted on the state body’s agenda, or by a similar means, that will communicate when the state body intends to reconvene the meeting and how a member of the public may hear audio of the meeting or observe the meeting.

(h) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Participate remotely” means participation in a meeting at a location other than the physical location designated in the agenda of the meeting.

(2) “Remote location” means a location other than the primary physical location designated in the agenda of a meeting.

(3) “Teleconference” has the same meaning as in Section 11123.

(i) This section does not limit or affect the ability of a state body to hold a teleconference meeting under another provision of this article.

(j) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2030.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 216, Sec. 3) by Stats. 2025, Ch. 222, Sec. 3. (SB 470) Effective January 1, 2026. Operative January 1, 2030, by its own provisions.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) No person shall be required, as a condition to attendance at a meeting of a state body, to register their name, to provide other information, to complete a questionnaire, or otherwise to fulfill any condition precedent to their attendance.

(b) If an attendance list, register, questionnaire, or other similar document is posted at or near the entrance to the room where the meeting is to be held, or is circulated to persons present during the meeting, it shall state clearly that the signing, registering, or completion of the document is voluntary, and that all persons may attend the meeting regardless of whether a person signs, registers, or completes the document.

(c) This section does not apply to an internet website or other online platform that may require the submission of information to log into a teleconferenced meeting, provided, however, that a person required to submit such information shall be permitted to submit a pseudonym or other anonymous information when using the internet website or other online platform to attend the meeting.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 216, Sec. 4. (SB 544) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) Any person attending an open and public meeting of the state body shall have the right to record the proceedings with an audio or video recorder or a still or motion picture camera in the absence of a reasonable finding by the state body that the recording cannot continue without noise, illumination, or obstruction of view that constitutes, or would constitute, a persistent disruption of the proceedings.

(b) Any audio or video recording of an open and public meeting made for whatever purpose by or at the direction of the state body shall be subject to inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1), but may be erased or destroyed 30 days after the recording. Any inspection of an audio or video recording shall be provided without charge on equipment made available by the state body.

(c) No state body shall prohibit or otherwise restrict the broadcast of its open and public meetings in the absence of a reasonable finding that the broadcast cannot be accomplished without noise, illumination, or obstruction of view that would constitute a persistent disruption of the proceedings.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 161. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) The state body shall provide notice of its meeting to any person who requests that notice in writing. Notice shall be given and also made available on the Internet at least 10 days in advance of the meeting, and shall include the name, address, and telephone number of any person who can provide further information prior to the meeting, but need not include a list of witnesses expected to appear at the meeting. The written notice shall additionally include the address of the Internet site where notices required by this article are made available.

(b) The notice of a meeting of a body that is a state body shall include a specific agenda for the meeting, containing a brief description of the items of business to be transacted or discussed in either open or closed session. A brief general description of an item generally need not exceed 20 words. A description of an item to be transacted or discussed in closed session shall include a citation of the specific statutory authority under which a closed session is being held. No item shall be added to the agenda subsequent to the provision of this notice, unless otherwise permitted by this article.

(c) Notice of a meeting of a state body that complies with this section shall also constitute notice of a meeting of an advisory body of that state body, provided that the business to be discussed by the advisory body is covered by the notice of the meeting of the state body, provided that the specific time and place of the advisory body’s meeting is announced during the open and public state body’s meeting, and provided that the advisory body’s meeting is conducted within a reasonable time of, and nearby, the meeting of the state body.

(d) A person may request, and shall be provided, notice pursuant to subdivision (a) for all meetings of a state body or for a specific meeting or meetings. In addition, at the state body’s discretion, a person may request, and may be provided, notice of only those meetings of a state body at which a particular subject or subjects specified in the request will be discussed.

(e) A request for notice of more than one meeting of a state body shall be subject to the provisions of Section 14911.

(f) The notice shall be made available in appropriate alternative formats, 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, upon request by any person with a disability. The notice shall include information regarding how, to whom, and by when a request for any disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services may be made by a person with a disability who requires these aids or services in order to participate in the public meeting.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 300, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 7922.000 or any other provisions of law, agendas of public meetings and other writings, when distributed to all, or a majority of all, of the members of a state body by any person in connection with a matter subject to discussion or consideration at a public meeting of the body, are disclosable public records under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1), and shall be made available upon request without delay. However, this section shall not include any writing exempt from public disclosure under Section 7924.100, 7924.105, 7924.110, 7924.510, or 7924.700 of this code, any provision listed in Section 7920.505 of this code, or Section 489.1 or 583 of the Public Utilities Code.

(b) Writings that are public records under subdivision (a) and that are distributed to members of the state body prior to or during a meeting, pertaining to any item to be considered during the meeting, shall be made available for public inspection at the meeting if prepared by the state body or a member of the state body, or after the meeting if prepared by some other person. These writings shall be made available in appropriate alternative formats, 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, upon request by a person with a disability.

(c) In the case of the Franchise Tax Board, prior to that state body taking final action on any item, writings pertaining to that item that are public records under subdivision (a) that are prepared and distributed by the Franchise Tax Board staff or individual members to members of the state body prior to or during a meeting shall be:

(1) Made available for public inspection at that meeting.

(2) Distributed to all persons who request notice in writing pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 11125.

(3) Made available on the internet.

(d) Prior to the State Board of Equalization taking final action on any item that does not involve a named taxpayer or feepayer, writings pertaining to that item that are public records under subdivision (a) that are prepared and distributed by board staff or individual members to members of the state body prior to or during a meeting shall be:

(1) Made available for public inspection at that meeting.

(2) Distributed to all persons who request or have requested copies of these writings.

(3) Made available on the internet.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a state body from charging a fee or deposit for a copy of a public record pursuant to Section 7922.530, except that no surcharge shall be imposed on persons with disabilities in violation of 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 writings described in subdivision (b) are subject to the requirements of the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1), and shall not be construed to limit or delay the public’s right to inspect any record required to be disclosed by that act, or to limit the public’s right to inspect any record covered by that act. This section shall not be construed to be applicable to any writings solely because they are properly discussed in a closed session of a state body. Nothing in this article shall be construed to require a state body to place any paid advertisement or any other paid notice in any publication.

(f) “Writing” for purposes of this section means “writing” as defined under Section 7920.545.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 162. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)

article: 9. Meetings


text: Any state body shall report publicly at a subsequent public meeting any action taken, and any rollcall vote thereon, to appoint, employ, or dismiss a public employee arising out of any closed session of the state body.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 968, Sec. 10.3.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 11125, a state body may take action on items of business not appearing on the posted agenda under any of the conditions stated below:

(1) Upon a determination by a majority vote of the state body that an emergency situation exists, as defined in Section 11125.5.

(2) Upon a determination by a two-thirds vote of the state body, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those members present, that there exists a need to take immediate action and that the need for action came to the attention of the state body subsequent to the agenda being posted as specified in Section 11125.

(b) Notice of the additional item to be considered shall be provided to each member of the state body and to all parties that have requested notice of its meetings as soon as is practicable after a determination of the need to consider the item is made, but shall be delivered in a manner that allows it to be received by the members and by newspapers of general circulation and radio or television stations at least 48 hours before the time of the meeting specified in the notice. Notice shall be made available to newspapers of general circulation and radio or television stations by providing that notice to all national press wire services. Notice shall also be made available on the Internet as soon as is practicable after the decision to consider additional items at a meeting has been made.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 243, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2002.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) A special meeting may be called at any time by the presiding officer of the state body or by a majority of the members of the state body. A special meeting may only be called for one of the following purposes when compliance with the 10-day notice provisions of Section 11125 would impose a substantial hardship on the state body or when immediate action is required to protect the public interest:

(1) To consider “pending litigation” as that term is defined in subdivision (e) of Section 11126.

(2) To consider proposed legislation.

(3) To consider issuance of a legal opinion.

(4) To consider disciplinary action involving a state officer or employee.

(5) To consider the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property.

(6) To consider license examinations and applications.

(7) To consider an action on a loan or grant provided pursuant to Division 31 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Health and Safety Code.

(8) To consider its response to a confidential final draft audit report as permitted by Section 11126.2.

(9) To provide for an interim executive officer of a state body upon the death, incapacity, or vacancy in the office of the executive officer.

(b) When a special meeting is called pursuant to one of the purposes specified in subdivision (a), the state body shall provide notice of the special meeting to each member of the state body and to all parties that have requested notice of its meetings as soon as is practicable after the decision to call a special meeting has been made, but shall deliver the notice in a manner that allows it to be received by the members and by newspapers of general circulation and radio or television stations at least 48 hours before the time of the special meeting specified in the notice. Notice shall be made available to newspapers of general circulation and radio or television stations by providing that notice to all national press wire services. Notice shall also be made available on the Internet within the time periods required by this section. The notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. The written notice shall additionally specify the address of the Internet Web site where notices required by this article are made available. No other business shall be considered at a special meeting by the state body. The written notice may be dispensed with as to any member who at or prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the clerk or secretary of the state body a written waiver of notice. The waiver may be given by telegram, facsimile transmission, or similar means. The written notice may also be dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes. Notice shall be required pursuant to this section regardless of whether any action is taken at the special meeting.

(c) At the commencement of any special meeting, the state body must make a finding in open session that the delay necessitated by providing notice 10 days prior to a meeting as required by Section 11125 would cause a substantial hardship on the body or that immediate action is required to protect the public interest. The finding shall set forth the specific facts that constitute the hardship to the body or the impending harm to the public interest. The finding shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the body, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those members present. The finding shall be made available on the Internet. Failure to adopt the finding terminates the meeting.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 92, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) In the case of an emergency situation involving matters upon which prompt action is necessary due to the disruption or threatened disruption of public facilities, a state body may hold an emergency meeting without complying with the 10-day notice requirement of Section 11125 or the 48-hour notice requirement of Section 11125.4.

(b) For purposes of this section, “emergency situation” means any of the following, as determined by a majority of the members of the state body during a meeting prior to the emergency meeting, or at the beginning of the emergency meeting:

(1) Work stoppage or other activity that severely impairs public health or safety, or both.

(2) Crippling disaster that severely impairs public health or safety, or both.

(c) However, newspapers of general circulation and radio or television stations that have requested notice of meetings pursuant to Section 11125 shall be notified by the presiding officer of the state body, or a designee thereof, one hour prior to the emergency meeting by telephone. Notice shall also be made available on the Internet as soon as is practicable after the decision to call the emergency meeting has been made. If telephone services are not functioning, the notice requirements of this section shall be deemed waived, and the presiding officer of the state body, or a designee thereof, shall notify those newspapers, radio stations, or television stations of the fact of the holding of the emergency meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and any action taken at the meeting as soon after the meeting as possible.

(d) The minutes of a meeting called pursuant to this section, a list of persons who the presiding officer of the state body, or a designee thereof, notified or attempted to notify, a copy of the rollcall vote, and any action taken at the meeting shall be posted for a minimum of 10 days in a public place, and also made available on the Internet for a minimum of 10 days, as soon after the meeting as possible.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 393, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2000. As provided in Sec. 7 of Ch. 393, amendment is to be implemented on July 1, 2001, or other date authorized by Dept. of Information Technology pursuant to Executive Order D-3-99.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) An emergency meeting may be called at any time by the president of the Fish and Game Commission or by a majority of the members of the commission to consider an appeal of a closure of or restriction in a fishery adopted pursuant to Section 7710 of the Fish and Game Code. In the case of an emergency situation involving matters upon which prompt action is necessary due to the disruption or threatened disruption of an established fishery, the commission may hold an emergency meeting without complying with the 10-day notice requirement of Section 11125 or the 48-hour notice requirement of Section 11125.4 if the delay necessitated by providing the 10-day notice of a public meeting required by Section 11125 or the 48-hour notice required by Section 11125.4 would significantly adversely impact the economic benefits of a fishery to the participants in the fishery and to the people of the state or significantly adversely impact the sustainability of a fishery managed by the state.

(b) At the commencement of an emergency meeting called pursuant to this section, the commission shall make a finding in open session that the delay necessitated by providing notice 10 days prior to a meeting as required by Section 11125 or 48 hours prior to a meeting as required by Section 11125.4 would significantly adversely impact the economic benefits of a fishery to the participants in the fishery and to the people of the state or significantly adversely impact the sustainability of a fishery managed by the state. The finding shall set forth the specific facts that constitute the impact to the economic benefits of the fishery or the sustainability of the fishery. The finding shall be adopted by a vote of at least four members of the commission, or, if less than four of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those members present. Failure to adopt the finding shall terminate the meeting.

(c) Newspapers of general circulation and radio or television stations that have requested notice of meetings pursuant to Section 11125 shall be notified by the presiding officer of the commission, or a designee thereof, one hour prior to the emergency meeting by telephone.

(d) The minutes of an emergency meeting called pursuant to this section, a list of persons who the president of the commission, or a designee thereof, notified or attempted to notify, a copy of the rollcall vote, and any action taken at the meeting shall be posted for a minimum of 10 days in a public place as soon after the meeting as possible.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 1999.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the state body shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the state body on each agenda item before or during the state body’s discussion or consideration of the item. This section is not applicable if the agenda item has already been considered by a committee composed exclusively of members of the state body at a public meeting where interested members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the committee on the item, before or during the committee’s consideration of the item, unless the item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the item, as determined by the state body. Every notice for a special meeting at which action is proposed to be taken on an item shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the state body concerning that item prior to action on the item. In addition, the notice requirement of Section 11125 shall not preclude the acceptance of testimony at meetings, other than emergency meetings, from members of the public if no action is taken by the state body at the same meeting on matters brought before the body by members of the public.

(b) The state body may adopt reasonable regulations to ensure that the intent of subdivision (a) is carried out, including, but not limited to, regulations limiting the total amount of time allocated for public comment on particular issues and for each individual speaker.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), when a state body limits time for public comment the state body shall provide at least twice the allotted time to a member of the public who utilizes a translator or other translating technology to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to directly address the state body.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the state body utilizes simultaneous translation equipment in a manner that allows the state body to hear the translated public testimony simultaneously.

(d) The state body shall not prohibit public criticism of the policies, programs, or services of the state body, or of the acts or omissions of the state body. Nothing in this subdivision shall confer any privilege or protection for expression beyond that otherwise provided by law.

(e) This section is not applicable to any of the following:

(1) Closed sessions held pursuant to Section 11126.

(2) Decisions regarding proceedings held pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500), relating to administrative adjudication, or to the conduct of those proceedings.

(3) Hearings conducted by the California Victim Compensation Board pursuant to Sections 13963 and 13963.1.

(4) Agenda items that involve decisions of the Public Utilities Commission regarding adjudicatory hearings held pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 1701) of Part 1 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code. For all other agenda items, the commission shall provide members of the public, other than those who have already participated in the proceedings underlying the agenda item, an opportunity to directly address the commission before or during the commission’s consideration of the item.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 63, Sec. 1. (AB 1291) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 11131.5, in any hearing that the California Victim Compensation Board conducts pursuant to Section 13963.1 and that the applicant or applicant’s representative does not request be open to the public, no notice, agenda, announcement, or report required under this article need identify the applicant.

(b) In any hearing that the board conducts pursuant to Section 13963.1 and that the applicant or applicant’s representative does not request be open to the public, the board shall disclose that the hearing is being held pursuant to Section 13963.1. That disclosure shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 11126.3.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 31, Sec. 72. (SB 836) Effective June 27, 2016.)

article: 9. Meetings


text:
Regional water quality control boards shall comply with the notification guidelines in Section 11125 and, in addition, shall do both of the following:

(a) Notify, in writing, all clerks of the city councils and county boards of supervisors within the regional board’s jurisdiction of any and all board hearings at least 10 days prior to the hearing. Notification shall include an agenda for the meeting with contents as described in subdivision (b) of Section 11125 as well as the name, address, and telephone number of any person who can provide further information prior to the meeting, but need not include a list of witnesses expected to appear at the meeting. Each clerk, upon receipt of the notification of a board hearing, shall distribute the notice to all members of the respective city council or board of supervisors within the regional board’s jurisdiction.

(b) Notify, in writing, all newspapers with a circulation rate of at least 10,000 within the regional board’s jurisdiction of any and all board hearings, at least 10 days prior to the hearing. Notification shall include an agenda for the meeting with contents as described in subdivision (b) of Section 11125 as well as the name, address, and telephone number of any person who can provide further information prior to the meeting, but need not include a list of witnesses expected to appear at the meeting.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 301, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1998.)

article: 9. Meetings