CA SB1003

Requires district attorneys or interested persons to submit a cease and desist letter to a legislative body within 9 months of an alleged Ralph M. Brown Act violation before filing a legal action challenging past actions.

Gives legislative bodies 30 days to respond to a cease and desist letter with an unconditional commitment to cease and not repeat the alleged violation, which must be approved in open session as a separate agenda item.

Dismisses with prejudice any lawsuit if a legislative body provides an unconditional commitment to cease the past action, preventing further litigation on that specific violation.

Requires courts to award costs and reasonable attorney fees to plaintiffs if a legislative body provides an unconditional commitment after the 30-day period expires and the filing of the action caused the commitment.

Allows legislative bodies to rescind commitments only by majority vote in open session with at least 30 days' prior notice to the person who received the commitment.

Effective January 1, 2013, with no retroactive application to violations occurring before that date.