BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 435
Page 1
Date of Hearing: March 25, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Rudy Salas, Chair
AB 435
(Chang) - As Amended March 18, 2015
SUBJECT: California Environmental Protection Agency: Natural
Resources Agency: Web casts of public meetings and workshops
SUMMARY: Requires the California Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and Natural Resources Agency (Resources) to web
cast all public meetings and workshops. Specifically, this
bill:
1)Requires each department, board, and commission of Resources,
and each department, board, and office of the EPA to provide
these web casts.
2)Defines a web cast to mean a presentation over the internet
using live streaming media technology.
3)Requires the web casts to include a method for viewers or
listeners to participate remotely.
4)Requires recordings of web casts to be archived for future
viewings.
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5)Excludes conservancies and the California Science Center from
web cast requirements.
EXISTING LAW generally requires all meetings of a state body to
be open and public.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: This bill requires the EPA and Resources to web cast
all public meetings and workshops. The web casts will include
live streaming over the internet and will allow remote
participation. Specifically, the technology must allow
listeners and viewers to ask questions and provide public
comment by telephone or electronic communications in line with
the participation opportunities of those physically attending
the meeting or workshop.
According to the author, this bill will increase transparency
and allow for more public participation. "Individuals throughout
the state have a direct interest in these policies created by
state agencies but few have the geographic advantage of being
close enough to attend meetings and provide direct input," the
author stated. "While these meetings may be open to the public,
it is unrealistic to expect that the average Californian will be
able to put their life on hold to attend and voice their
concerns or ideas."
Currently both EPA and Resources offer web casts of public
meetings and some allow for remote participation. To provide
context, EPA has 35 upcoming live web casts listed on its
website during the next 30 days.
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However, not all public meetings or workshops of EPA and
Resources are provided in this manner. While both agencies said
they support the concept of offering web casts to encourage
public participation, they said doing so for all meetings and
workshops could be difficult because of limited resources and
technology challenges. They note that some capabilities to
create web casts could be available from an agency's
headquarters, but might not be available when a meeting is held
away from the building, like at a library or community center.
In addition to creating web casts, this bill also requires the
agencies to archive the recordings of web casts to allow for
public viewing. It does not specify how long they should be
retained.
Supporters of this bill state that requiring web casts will help
more Californians participate and increase transparency in
government. There is no opposition on file.
PREVIOUS LEGISLATION: AB 1723 (Fuentes), Chapter 580, Statutes
of 2012, requires California Community Colleges, California
State University and the Student Aid Commission, and requests
that the University of California provide live video and audio
transmission of all open meetings through widely available
technology like television or web casts.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees,
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AFL-CIO
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:Scott Herbstman / A. & A.R. / (916)
319-3600