The California Newspaper Publishers Association (CNPA) is warning that a new exemption to the Brown Act (which restricts closed government meetings) is being considered by the Legislature. Assembly Bill 463, introduced by Orange County Republican Assemblyman Van Tran (pictured), would allow city councils, school boards and other public bodies to meet behind closed doors to discuss “a threat to private property or facilities that are open to the general public, including strategies and preventative measures relating to that threat.” CNPA has written a letter that says the bill is flawed for a number of reasons including that the exemption invites abuse by allowing decisions about the distribution of police resources to be made behind closed doors, with no public accountability. Read the CNPA Legislative Bulletin.