Page 3 - Microsoft Word - Lozano Smith Board Member Toolkit 2025

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: BROWN ACT

Legislative Bodies ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
Committees and Subcommittees ........................................................................................................................ 2
Meetings ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Agendas for Meetings ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Public Comment ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
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Inspection of Documents and Records ............................................................................................................. 8
Closed Sessions ......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Penalties and Enforcements ................................................................................................................................. 11
Brown Act Handbook ............................................................................................................................................. 11

CHAPTER 2: PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
What are Public Records?..................................................................................................................................... 13
What’s a Record? .................................................................................................................................................... 13
Email and Electronic Messages .......................................................................................................................... 13
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Exempt Records ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
“Catch-all” Exemptions .......................................................................................................................................... 14
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Who May Request a Public Record? ................................................................................................................ 14
Dealing with Unclear Requests ........................................................................................................................... 14
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Copies and Costs .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Response Timelines ................................................................................................................................................ 14
Tips for Managing Public Records Act Requests .......................................................................................... 15

CHAPTER 3: ETHICS IN PUBLIC SERVICE

Personal Gain or Interest ...................................................................................................................................... 17
Political Reform Act ................................................................................................................................................ 17
Government Code 1090 ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Common Law Conflicts of Interest .................................................................................................................... 19
Financial Interest Disclosure ............................................................................................................................... 20
Limits on Gifts, Honoraria, Travel and Use of Public Resources ............................................................. 20
Fair Process Laws .................................................................................................................................................... 21
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Campaign Contribution and Pay-to-Play ...................................................................................................... 22
Political Reform Act: Does a Disqualifying Conflict of Interest Exist? ................................................... 23