New state law requires public agencies to email agenda packets upon request

Local government agencies are required to email meeting agenda packets to people who request them, under a new law signed this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Senate Bill 274, introduced by State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), updates California’s Brown Act, which previously required local governments to send agenda packets on request via physical mail. With emailed packets, community members can instantly review information before meetings instead of having to wait for the agendas to arrive in the mailbox.