Governor Newsom Signs Portantino Bill Ensuring Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils Can Meet Online
For Immediate Release: October 9, 2023
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Governor Newsom Signs Portantino Bill Ensuring Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils Can Meet Online
Sacramento, California – Senate Bill 411, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank), was signed into law today by Governor Newsom. The bill ensures that neighborhood councils in the City of Los Angeles can continue serving their constituents by meeting online.
“I am proud that Governor Newsom signed SB 411 to help neighborhood councils conduct meetings in accordance with modern needs and technology,” stated Senator Portantino. “Virtual meetings have helped Los Angelenos with work, travel and daycare difficulties participate in neighborhood council meetings and helped our councils have an easier time achieving quorums. Robust public participation is vital to a vibrant discourse and is well-served when more people are involved in the process. We saw an increase in that participation during the pandemic and with SB 411, we get to maintain it.”
During the pandemic, virtual public meetings via teleconference were allowed by Executive Order of the Governor to help neighborhood councils remain operational. While it was clear that online meetings attracted more public participation, it is also clear that ending them will have drastic negative consequences for public discourse. Considering that California is the tech leader in the nation and the world, it is appropriate to have laws in place that encourage governments to modernize and serve more people.
“In Los Angeles, nearly 100 neighborhood Councils provide a vital line of communication between the City Council and the people we serve," said Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian. "I want to thank Senator Portantino and Governor Newsom for enacting this measure, so that our neighborhood councils have the choice of meeting virtually and providing our constituents with the greatest possible opportunity for public participation.”
“After months of missed quorums and reduced public accessibility at neighborhood councils throughout the City of Los Angeles, I’m grateful that the Governor has signed SB 411,” said Michael Schneider, Founder of Streets For All. “This new law will increase public participation in our local democracy by bringing back the option to have virtual meetings."
SB 411 will allow neighborhood councils in the City of Los Angeles to use teleconferencing as an alternative for in person meetings and require that one in person meeting be held per year. The measure requires that the City Council approve the virtual meeting option before neighborhood councils can move forward and requires a two-thirds vote from each neighborhood council in order to make the meeting remote. SB 411 has a sunset date of 2026.
"In a time when our communities are more connected digitally than ever, SB 411 will empower the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council to engage with constituents seamlessly. We thank Senator Portantino for championing a bill that recognizes the importance of adaptability in preserving democratic access for all,’ stated Danielle Bond & Brett Kushner, Co-Chairs of the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council.
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