California’s new police transparency law forced the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to release documents with details of deputy misconduct. The Los Angeles Times sued for the records that identified over 70 deputies, many of whom were promoted or committed more violations after being disciplined. (Bakersfield.com, March 21, 2021, by Alene Tchekmedyian and Ben Poston of the Los Angeles Times)
Public.Resource.Org sued two state agencies to ensure that the public can obtain copies of state codes without hefty fees. As it stands now, to obtain a copy of the state’s food and agriculture code, you have to pay $725 to a private firm. (Los Angeles Times, March 18, 2021, by Michael Hiltzik)
The San Francisco School District has been blocked by a judge’s ruling wiping out their vote on a renaming resolution for 44 schools. Parents and alumni objected to the renaming process conducted in committee and without noticed public hearings for each school that they claim violates the Brown Act, the state’s open meeting law. (Courthouse News Service, March 19, 2021, by Maria Dinzeo)
The San Clemente City County scuttled a loyalty pledge that kept sensitive city records under lock. Under the pledge, a former public information officer drew criticism for releasing a tax-payer funded poll of residents on a new tax to protect the coastline. (Voice of OC, March 17, 2021, by Noah Biesiada)
The Port San Luis Harbor District put two of its commissioners on notice to stop the bullying and harassing of an employee who reported the forwarding of confidential e-mails she suspected violated the Brown Act. (Cal Coast News.com, March 6, 2021, by Karen Velie)
Citizens are alleging that the Fresno Unified School District violated the Brown Act in voting to abandon the Native American Warrior image for Fresno High School. The citizens say the school board failed to properly inform the public about the change. The district wants to keep the name Warrior but eliminate the mascot. (GV Wire, March 5, 2021, by Nancy Price)
Public.Resource.Org joined with the UC Berkeley law school to to make civil and criminal jury instructions part of the public domain. They sent a letter to the Judicial Council of California requesting the removal of all copyright claims from the jury instruction pages. (ABA Journal, March 1, 2021, by Lyle Moran)
The American Civil Liberties Union warned the San Dieguito Union High School District to stop suppressing public comment during meetings. There are concerns that the board president cut off speakers during a February meeting protesting the recent decision to stop accepting written comments on agenda items. (The Coast News Group, March 2, by Dustin Jones
The First Amendment Coalition is contending that the Barstow City Council failed to provide the public with an adequate voice in its virtual meetings during the pandemic. FAC’s David Snyder says it not enough to allow for e-mail comments. The council is “required to provide the opportunity for real-time public comment during the course of the meeting,” said Snyder. (Victorville Daily Press, February 28, 2021, by Martin Estacio)
Former Chico City Council members allege that council members violated the Brown Act in speaking outside closed meeting about the firing of the former city attorney. (Action News Now, February 24, 2021, by Dani Masten)
After the Pismo Beach City Council censured a member for violating the Brown Act, one of her supporters claimed there was a double standard, alleging that another council person had violated the Brown Act with impunity. (Cal Coast Times, February 23, 2021, by Karen Velie)
A citizen is alleging that the Humboldt County supervisors are violating the Brown Act by failing to meet open meeting provisions. Kent Sawatzky claims that not only showing the person speaking during the board meetings deprives the public of important information about the meetings. (Eureka Times-Standard, February 21, 2021, by Ruth Schneider)
The Santa Barbara County district attorney said the Lompoc Unified school board violated the Brown Act in a September meeting when it discussed topics not on the meeting’s agenda. (Santa Barbara News-Press, February 10, 2021)
After winning a court battle over the right to the press to see new court filings as soon as they arrive, the Courthouse News Service is presenting the state Judicial Council with a $6.5 million bill for attorney fees. (Courthouse News Service, February 10, 2021, by Bill Girdner and Maria Dinzeo)
A Palo Alto parent sued the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League alleging it violated the Brown Act in adopting a spring sports schedule. Charles Goldberg claims there was not adequate public notice or input. (The San Jose Mercury News, February 8. 2021, by Evan Webeck)
AB 992 makes changes to the Brown Act by prohibiting contact with others on a legislative body on matters under consideration by the body. (Hews Media Group, January 23, 2021, by Brian Hews)
A Madera County supervisor finds himself in a pickle over his e-mail insulting an investigative reporter as she attempted to use the California Public Records Act to find information relating to a murder of a domestic violence victim. FAC and the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust called for the supervisor to issue a genuine public apology. (The Sacramento Bee, January 23, 2021, by Marek Warszawski)