Yesterday, Assembly Bill 992 (Mullin) passed out of the Assembly Local Government Committee 5-3. The bill, related to local government officials use of social media platforms like Facebook, would allow a majority of a local agency’s legislative body members to participate in social media platforms so long as governing members do not partake in discussion amongst themselves regarding business within their jurisdiction. Essentially, it would ensure that if one district board member posted something on Facebook and the other district board members “liked” the post, those actions wouldn’t be a violation of the Brown Act. AB 992 is a common-sense approach to modernizing the Brown Act, that will allow for greater communication and interface with the public.
CSDA is supporting this bill along with the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties. The bill will be heard next on the Assembly Floor by the end of the month.