BILL NUMBER: AB 1662INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Ian Calderon FEBRUARY 12, 2014 An act to add Section 8753.6 to the Government Code, relating to state government, and making an appropriation therefor. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1662, as introduced, Ian Calderon. Arts Council: grants. Existing law establishes the Arts Council composed of 11 members, with the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate Committee on Rules each appointing one member and the Governor appointing 9 members who are subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Arts Council is authorized to award grants, as specified. This bill would continuously appropriate an unspecified amount annually from the General Fund to the Arts Council to be used for grants as currently authorized by law, thereby making an appropriation. This bill would also provide legislative findings and declarations regarding publicly funded art. Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Life in this state is enriched by art, innovation, and creativity. (b) The source of art is in the natural flow of the human mind, but realizing craft and beauty is demanding, and the people of the state desire to encourage and nourish these skills wherever they occur for the intrinsic and extrinsic benefit of all. (c) Every dollar in state support for the arts leverages $7 in earned and contributed revenue, and brings back more than $3 in taxes to state and local government entities. (d) California's cultural enterprises provide nearly 500,891 jobs for its residents, accounting for 7.6 percent of the state's total employment. (e) Nonprofit arts organizations contribute $9,000,400,000 to the state's economy. (f) Nonprofit arts organizations are a partner to the creative industries and play a key role in the 21st Century workforce and the global economy, including in the fields of architecture, advertising, consulting, education, performing arts, museums, design, software development, film, games, computer games, historic preservation, music, new media, publishing, radio, television, and tourism. (g) An investment in the arts and the creative economy industries can revitalize a neighborhood or area by accomplishing all of the following: (1) Stimulating the economy. (2) Engaging residents. (3) Drawing tourists. (4) Providing a sense of community. (5) Serving as a gathering place. (6) Encouraging creativity. (7) Strengthening community partnerships. (8) Promoting the arts and supporting artists. (9) Developing a positive image for the area. (10) Enhancing property values. (11) Capitalizing on local cultural, economic, and social assets. (12) Creating jobs. SEC. 2. Section 8753.6 is added to the Government Code, to read: 8753.6. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, ____ dollars ($____) is hereby continuously appropriated from the General Fund to the Arts Council each fiscal year. These funds shall be used only to issue grants to further the arts, as otherwise authorized to be issued under this chapter.