A&A: Does the Brown Act require meeting minutes?

Minutes of MeetingQ: The High School District board stopped taking minutes at their meetings? Can they do that under the Brown Act?

A: The Brown Act is silent on legislative bodies’ duties with respect to taking notes or keeping minutes of meetings.  Typically, such requirements would be found in a legislative body’s bylaws, or possibly an ordinance that governs the legislative body (though since this is a school district, it is unlikely that such requirements would be found in such ordinances).  You might want to review the school board’s bylaws for guidance on this issue.

Bryan Cave LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to FAC hotline inquiries. In responding to these inquiries, we can give general information regarding open government and speech issues but cannot provide specific legal advice or representation.