Rules Committee backs proposal to end universal remote public comment, keeping access for disability accommodations

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee voted on Oct. 16 to forward a proposal to the full board that would remove the board’s current broad authorization for remote public comment and limit remote participation to what is legally required to accommodate people with disabilities.

Board President Aaron Peskin, who sponsored the change, told the committee the measure responds to repeated incidents of anonymous callers using remote access to deliver racist and antisemitic hate speech. “It is time for us to join those other public bodies that have found it necessary to terminate remote public comment,” Peskin said, adding that the change is “reluctant” and may be revisited.

The proposal drew sustained public comment. Dozens of callers and representatives from disability, senior, housing and community organizations said ending universal remote comment would disproportionately silence people who cannot travel to City Hall — including seniors, people with disabilities, caregivers, working parents and those without reliable transportation. “This is completely allowed,” said Catherine Howard, who opposed the change and highlighted travel barriers for callers who would otherwise have to spend several hours taking transit to attend in person. Eliana Bender, policy manager at Glide, told the committee discontinuing remote comment “would be an unacceptable obstacle to community participation in democracy.”

Several callers urged technical or staffing fixes instead of a ban: a short broadcast delay, increased moderation or requiring a verified name and contact information for callers. Members of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force and senior‑advocacy groups told the committee that short delays and active moderation, combined with clear enforcement, could screen hate speech while maintaining broad access.

Vice Chair Shamon Walton defended the committee’s recommended approach as written, saying the change would not “negatively affect anyone with a disability” because the committee would continue to provide accommodations. “We will still 100% make accommodations for that population,” Walton said. Supervisor Asha Safai emphasized the committee intends to preserve access for seniors and people with disabilities while addressing the “rise in hatred” the board has experienced in remote comment.

The committee’s vote forwards the proposed amendment as a committee report to the full Board of Supervisors; the full board will consider the change at a later meeting. Peskin characterized the change as an experiment and acknowledged it could be reversed or modified; he also urged state‑level changes to permit municipalities to block anonymous callers.

What’s next: The item will appear on the full board agenda for further consideration and possible amendment. Supporters of remote comment urged supervisors to delay action and instruct staff to research technical solutions and costs; proponents of the change argued the city cannot allow a forum to be repeatedly used for hate speech.