Opinion No. (1998)

DANIEL E. LUNGREN Attorney General CLAYTON P. ROCHE Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE QUENTIN L. KOPP, MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE, has requested an opinion on the following questions: 1. May members of the legislative body of a local public agency ask questions or make statements while attending a meeting of a standing committee of the legislative body "as observers"? 2. May members of the legislative body of a local public agency sit in special chairs on the dais while attending a meeting of a standing committee of the legislative body "as observers"? CONCLUSIONS 1. Members of the legislative body of a local public agency may not ask questions or make statements while attending a meeting of a standing committee of the legislative body "as observers." 2. Members of the legislative body of a local public agency may not sit in special chairs on the dais while attending a meeting of a standing committee of the legislative body "as observers." ANALYSIS The Ralph M. Brown Act (Gov. Code, §§ 54950 - 54962 ; "Act") 1 requires the "legislative body" of a "local agency" to hold its meetings open to the public unless a specific statutory exemption is applicable (see…