BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 435
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB
435 (Chang)
As Amended May 28, 2015
Majority vote
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|Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+------+-----------------------+------------------|
|Accountability |9-0 |Salas, Lackey, Beth | |
| | |Gaines, Brough, Burke, | |
| | |Frazier, Irwin, | |
| | |Medina, Rodriguez | |
| | | | |
|----------------+------+-----------------------+------------------|
|Appropriations |17-0 |Gomez, Bigelow, Bonta, | |
| | |Calderon, Chang, Daly, | |
| | |Eggman, Gallagher, | |
| | |Eduardo Garcia, | |
| | |Gordon, Holden, Jones, | |
| | |Quirk, Rendon, Wagner, | |
| | |Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY: Requires the California Environmental Protection Agency
(CalEPA) and Natural Resources Agency (Resources) to webcast all
public meetings. Specifically, this bill:
AB 435
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1)Requires each department, board, and commission of Resources,
and each department, board, and office of the CalEPA to provide
these Webcasts.
2)Defines a Webcast to mean a presentation over the Internet using
live streaming media technology.
3)Requires the Webcasts to include a method for viewers or
listeners to participate remotely.
4)Requires recordings of Webcasts to be available online for at
least three years.
5)Excludes public meetings held at non-agency sites from Webcast
requirements.
6)Excludes conservancies and the California Science Center from
Webcast requirements.
EXISTING LAW generally requires all meetings of a state body to be
open and public.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee:
1)One-time costs of approximately $250,000 (General Fund (GF)) to
upgrade or acquire webcasting equipment and software for the
CalEPA headquarters building in Sacramento to enable webcasting
of all public meetings conducted at any CalEPA or any board,
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department, and office of CalEPA throughout the state, with
ongoing equipment and software maintenance costs of $38,000 (GF)
annually.
2)On-going costs or approximately $176,000 (GF) annually for two
additional Television Specialist positions at CalEPA
headquarters to staff the expanded webcast services.
3)Unknown costs for CalEPA boards, department, or offices and
Resources departments and commissions to equip remote locations
with audio-video capabilities or contract for the necessary
services.
COMMENTS: This bill requires the CalEPA and Resources to Webcast
public meetings. The Webcasts 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.
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 CalEPA and Resources offer Webcasts of public
meetings and some allow for remote participation. To provide
context, CalEPA recently had 35 live Webcasts listed on its Web
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site during a 30-day period. However, not all public meetings of
CalEPA and Resources are provided in this manner.
In addition to creating Webcasts, this bill also requires the
agencies to make the recording of a Webcast available online for
at least three years.
This bill does not require Webcasting of public meetings held at
non-agency sites, or meetings of conservancies or the California
Science Center.
Analysis Prepared by:
Scott Herbstman / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600 FN:
0000635