BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Bakersfield City Council is launching remote participation at its meetings for the first time Wednesday, along with a few other steps for public speakers to follow.

A fair share of individuals at the Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday — including the county leaders themselves — have expressed confusions regarding the new rules for public speakers.

In 2025, California lawmakers passed Senate Bill 707. It amends the Ralph M. Brown Act, which requires boards and councils to implement additional requirements to encourage residents to participate in public meetings.

The law also expands telecommunications options for residents who wish to participate virtually, and residents who wish to speak have to sign up.

Bakersfield City Council

Starting Wednesday, July 15, the public can participate in Bakersfield City Council meetings over the phone.

Each public speaker will get two minutes to speak, for a total of 10 minutes for all remote speakers and 10 minutes for all in-person speakers.

To participate by phone, call 661-529-9511 and enter meeting code 3952. After getting connected, press star (*) for more options.

To simply listen in, press 1. To ask to speak, press 3.

City staff will help phone participants register to give public comments on agenda or non-agenda topics, according to the city.

Public speakers can also sign up in person at a computer kiosk at the Council Chambers entrance at 1501 Truxtun Ave., city officials said. Staff will be present at the meeting for anyone who needs help signing up.

To pre-register 30 minutes before the meeting, click here.

Kern County Board of Supervisors

Like the Bakersfield City Council, each speaker is given two minutes to give public comment.

All in-person speakers for non-agenda topics get up to 20 minutes total. Remote speakers also get up to 20 minutes.

For those commenting on items on the agenda for that meeting, all in-person speakers will get up to 10 minutes and all remote speakers will also get up to 10 minutes.

People who want to give public comments at the Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting have to register. Registration opens 30 minutes before the start of each meeting.

After scrolling to the meeting you want to participate in, click “In Person” or “Virtually” depending on how you’ll attend, then enter your first and last name and phone number you’ll use to call in.

Select the agenda items you plan to speak on, then click “Register.”

This is where it becomes different for in-person and remote participants.

In-person speakers will be called in order of registration.

Those participating by calling in should call 661-529-7155. If you selected “Call my phone when the meeting starts” when registering, you will get an automated call once the meeting begins without having to dial the number.

After joining the meeting, stay on the line and listen until your name is called. You will be able to start speaking without having to do anything else as county staff will unmute and invite you to speak.

To register to speak, click here. You can also register in Board Chambers at 1115 Truxtun Ave.

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