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Until We Meet Again: Attorney General Confirms the Brown Act’s Broad Application to Informal Gatherings of Members of a Legislative Body

In a recent opinion, the California Attorney General found that a gathering of a majority of the members of a city council at a chamber of commerce event constituted a “meeting” of the city council under the Ralph M. Brown Act (“Brown Act”), under the specific facts presented.

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Federal Trade Commission Issues Rule Limiting Non-Compete Clauses

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its final Non-Compete Clause Rule (Rule) which bans employers within the FTC’s jurisdiction from entering into new non-compete clauses (non-competes) with workers.

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U.S. Supreme Court Backs Oregon City’s Anti-Camping Law

The United States Supreme Court issued a pivotal decision in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (June 28, 2024) 603 U.S.___ [2024 WL 3208072], significantly impacting how local governments can address homelessness.

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Taxpayer Protection Act Removed from November Ballot

On June 20, 2024, the California Supreme Court ruled that the ballot initiative designated as Initiative 1935 and known as the “Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act” (TPA) amounts to an impermissible revision of the Constitution and ordered the Secretary of State to refrain from placing it on the November ballot.

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Supreme Court Clarifies Test for Whether Blocking Public from Officials’ Social Media Accounts Violates First Amendment

The United States Supreme Court finally resolved a split between the circuits by articulating a new test which aims to preserve the right of public officials to remain private persons, even when they create content on social media which implicates their public persona.

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AB 413: New Parking Restrictions Near Intersections

Assembly Bill (AB) 413, effective January 1, 2024, restricts vehicles from parking, stopping, or standing within 20 feet of an intersection or 15 feet of a curb extension at an intersection.

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U.S. Supreme Court Holds that Legislatively-Adopted Development Impact Fees Must be Related and Proportional to Development Impacts

In its recent holding in Sheetz v. County of El Dorado (2024) __ S.Ct. __ [2024 WL 1588707], the United States Supreme Court held that legislatively-adopted development impact fees are subject to constitutional scrutiny under the Takings Clause.

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California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Legislative Updates: SB 69, SB 149, & AB 356

The California Legislature recently enacted a series of updates to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Outlined below are three significant pieces of legislation: Senate Bill (SB) 69, SB 149, and Assembly Bill (AB) 356.

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Progressive Design-Build Authority Has Been Expanded for Local Public Agencies

The start to 2024 brings with it some exciting changes regarding the accessibility of the progressive design-build (PDB) construction delivery method to California cities, counties, special districts, and transit districts.

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