San Rafael City Council Changes to Hybrid Meetings Starting July 20 Under New State Law

Community members will be able to attend and provide live public comment through Zoom or by phone

As part of a statewide shift, the San Rafael City Council is expanding how community members can participate in its public meetings. Beginning with the July 20, 2026, City Council meeting, the City will use a hybrid meeting format. The Council will continue meeting in person at San Rafael City Hall, while community members will also be able to attend remotely through Zoom conferencing.

People choosing to participate remotely will be able to make a formal public comment during the meeting through Zoom or by calling the telephone number provided on the meeting agenda. People commenting via Zoom or by phone will receive the same amount of speaking time as people commenting in person. The change is required by California Senate Bill 707 (2025), a new state law intended to make local government meetings more accessible and provide the public with more ways to participate.

How will hybrid meetings work?

Community members will have several ways to follow and participate in City Council meetings:

• Attend and provide public comment in person at City Hall.

• Attend online through the Zoom link provided on the meeting agenda.

• Make live public comments through Zoom during designated public comment periods.

• Call into the meeting by telephone to listen and provide live public comment.

• Watch the meeting livestream.

• Submit written comments to the City Clerk's Office.

Each meeting agenda will include the Zoom link, call-in number, meeting identification information, and instructions for requesting to speak. Watching the meeting through a livestream will remain an option, but viewers who wish to speak during the meeting will need to join through Zoom, call in by telephone, or attend in person.

What is Senate Bill 707?

California's Ralph M. Brown Act establishes public access and transparency requirements for meetings of local government bodies. Senate Bill 707 (2025) updates the Brown Act to reflect how technology can help more people take part in local decision-making.

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state law requires certain local government bodies, including city councils in cities with populations of 30,000 or more, to provide a two-way remote participation option for open public meetings.

A two-way system does more than broadcast a meeting. It allows people joining remotely to hear the discussion and speak directly to the City Council during public comment.

SB 707 (2025) also includes requirements related to:

• Clear and accessible meeting information.

• Language access.

• Outreach to communities that have not traditionally participated in public meetings.

• Procedures for responding to internet, telephone, or other technology interruptions.

The requirements are currently scheduled to remain in effect through December 31, 2029.

Why are meetings changing?

The California Legislature adopted SB 707 (2025) to modernize public meeting requirements and establish consistent standards for remote access.

Attending an evening meeting at City Hall may not be practical for everyone. Work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, transportation challenges, disabilities, health concerns, and other circumstances can make in-person attendance difficult.

Remote participation can help reduce those barriers. It allows someone to follow a meeting or address the City Council without traveling to City Hall while preserving the opportunity for participation. The hybrid format does not replace in-person meetings. It adds more ways for residents to stay informed and make their voices heard.

What will stay the same?

City Councilmembers will continue meeting in the Council Chambers at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue. Community members will remain welcome to attend and provide public comment in person. The public may also continue reviewing agendas and staff reports online, watching meeting broadcasts, accessing meeting archives, and submitting written comments.

The new requirements focus on public access and participation. Separate Brown Act rules continue to govern when City Councilmembers themselves may participate remotely.

Join the July 20 meeting

The July 20 City Council meeting will be San Rafael's first meeting using the new hybrid format. Community members planning to participate should review the meeting agenda for the Zoom link, telephone call-in information, public-comment instructions, meeting time, and other details. 

Meeting agendas are generally posted at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting. Visit the City's City Council Meetings webpage to find upcoming meeting dates, agendas, participation instructions, livestreams, and meeting archives.

Whether joining from the Council Chambers, Zoom, or a telephone, the City encourages community members to stay informed and participate in the decisions affecting San Rafael and the diverse communities within it.