Search Results

Showing 761 - 770 of 1793 results

Asked and Answered

Bagley-Keene Act CPRA

The California Bar and CPRA

[…] Bar does not clearly fall within the definition of a "state agency" or "local agency" in the CPRA. The California Supreme Court has stated as follows: "[ Government Code] Section 6001 . . . provides: 'No law of this State restricting, or prescribing a mode of procedure for the exercise of powers of state […]

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

Brown Act First Amendment

Rules for public comment at council meetings

[…] few criminal prosecutions under the Brown Act, and to date they generally have not been successful. As for civil remedies, there are two options. First, pursuant to Government Code section 54960.1, you may seek to void an action taken at such meeting. The requirements for taking such an action require you to seek to […]

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

Brown Act School Records

Right to Videotape School Board Meetings

Yesterday, I videotaped a School District Board Meeting and I was under the understanding that citizens are allowed to videotape as specified under the Government Code Section 54954.3, the Brown Act. After the meeting, I was approached by two district personnel, one of them being the district superintendent. Both of them told me I […]

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Requests for applications of public positions

I live in a City with a deep history of closed government.The City Clerk has just notified me that I can not review (partially redacted) copies of job applications of the director of the City's planning department. I will not be allowed to see anything.It is my understanding that CFAC's stance is that I […]

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

Incomplete labor exemption codes within School District closed session agenda

[…] the meeting of the body." The Brown Act, Open Meetings For Local Legislative Bodies, Office of the Attorney General (2003), at pp. 16-17. I agree that merely listing Government Code Section 54957, without any other designation, may be unclear. Pursuant to Gov't Code § 54957(b), a closed session may be held to consider the appointment, […]

March 24, 2016
Asked and Answered

First Amendment

Expressive conduct at International Airport

[…] place and manner restriction. For example, if there are restrictions on speech that are applied evenly and without regard to the content of the speech, then the government may impose reasonable time, place and manner restrictions on the speech provided it demonstrate the restriction is (i) narrowly tailored, (ii) serves a significant government interest, […]

April 21, 2016
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

What does Brown Act say about board members’ having secret affair?

[…] action by just two of the members will implicate the Brown Act. Bryan Cave LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to First Amendment Coalition 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.

January 9, 2013
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

City Planning Commission failure to address public comment

The Brown Act serves to facilitate public participation in all phases of local government decision-making, and to curb misuse of the democratic process by secret legislation of public bodies. Bell v. Vista Unified School Dist., 82 Cal. App. 4th 672 (2000). The Act provides the opportunity at each meeting for the public to "directly address […]

April 11, 2016
Asked and Answered

CPRA Police Records

Are police dashboard-cam videos exempt from the CPRA?

[…] video was indeed part of a police investigation – either relating to the juvenile or the officer – then the police department can claim an exemption under Government Code 6254(f). And, even more unfortunately, once a record becomes part of an investigatory file, it is exempt from disclosure forever under the Public Records Act, […]

March 18, 2015
Asked and Answered

First Amendment

Reporter seeks access to court proceedings involving police personnel records

[…] attorney to see what options you may have for challenging the closure of these proceedings. 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.

August 31, 2016