What is Brown Act?

The Brown Act is a California state law that requires meetings of local government bodies to be open and accessible to the public. Passed in 1953, the act ensures that people have the right to attend, observe, and participate in meetings where decisions affecting their communities are made.

The Brown Act applies to local bodies such as:

• City councils

• County boards of supervisors

• School boards

• Special district boards

• Local commissions, committees, and advisory groups

To comply with the Brown Act, public agencies must provide advance notice and agendas for meetings, hold meetings in publicly accessible locations, allow public comment, and disclose and record decisions in an open forum. Agencies also cannot hold secret meetings that undermine transparency. 

The goal of the Brown Act is to prevent decisions from being made behind closed doors and to ensure that community members can stay informed and involved in local government. Many other states have similar laws, often grouped under the broader category of sunshine laws.