Legal Services

	"Sometimes the discussions on the county's emergency managment plan involves details that may be sensitive in nature. Do we still need to discuss the plan at a public hearing?"

Is the county required to hold public hearings to discuss the county emergency management plan?

Yes, with one exception. Government Code §418.106 provides that a county must conduct at least one public meeting each calendar year to exchange information about the emergency management plan unless the emergency management plan contains sensitive information relating to critical infrastructure or facilities and the safety or security of the infrastructure or facilities could be jeopardized by the disclosure of the emergency management plan. For more information, see our Weathering the Storm: Disaster Preparedness and Response publication.