California Assembly Bill AB189 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 189AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 25, 2015 AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 7, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bloom (Coauthors: Assembly Members Calderon and Waldron)  (   Coauthor:   Senator   Allen   )  JANUARY 27, 2015 An act to add Chapter 9.2 (commencing with Section 8758) to Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to state government. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 189, as amended, Bloom. Arts Council: cultural districts. The Dixon-Zenovich-Maddy California Arts Act of 1975 establishes the Arts Council, consisting of 11 appointed members, sets forth the duties of the council, and authorizes the council to  receive and spend moneys for the purpose of promoting arts in the state.   accept federal grants and unrestricted gifts, donations, bequests, or grants of funds from private sources and public agencies for the purposes of encouraging artistic awareness, promoting the employment of artists, and providing for the exhibition of art works in public buildings, among others.  This bill would  additionally require the Arts Council to establish criteria and guidelines for state-designated cultural districts, as defined. The bill would require the council to establish a competitive application system for certification, provide technical and promotional support for certified state-designated cultural districts, and collaborate with public agencies and private entities to maximize the benefits of state-designated cultural districts. The bill would provide that a geographical area within the state may be certified as a state-designated cultural district by applying to the council for certification, as provided. The bill would also provide that certification as a state-designated cultural district is effective for 5 years, after which the district may renew certification every 3 years. This bill would authorize the council to solicit and receive gifts, donations, bequests, grants of funds, or any other revenues, from public or private sources and to expend those moneys, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for a state-designated cultural district program and for any other purpose it deems necessary to implement these provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Chapter 9.2 (commencing with Section 8758) is added to Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: CHAPTER 9.2. STATE-DESIGNATED CULTURAL DISTRICTS 8758. (a) As used in this chapter, "state-designated cultural district" means a geographical area certified pursuant to this chapter with a concentration of cultural facilities, creative enterprises, or arts venues that does any of the following: (1) Attracts artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural enterprises. (2) Encourages economic development and supports entrepreneurship in the creative community. (3) Encourages the preservation and reuse of historic buildings and other artistic and culturally significant structures. (4) Fosters local cultural development. (5) Provides a focal point for celebrating and strengthening the unique cultural identity of the community.  (6) Promotes opportunity without generating displacement or expanding inequality.  (b) The Arts Council shall establish criteria and guidelines for state-designated cultural districts. In executing its powers and duties under this chapter, the council shall do all of the following: (1) Establish a competitive application system by which a community may apply for certification as a state-designated cultural district. (2) Provide technical assistance  for state-designated cultural districts from, among others, artists who have experience with cultural districts  and  provide  promotional support for state-designated cultural districts. (3) Collaborate with other public agencies and private entities to maximize the benefits of state-designated cultural districts. (c) A geographical area within the state may be certified as a state-designated cultural district by applying to the council for certification. Certification as a state-designated cultural district shall be for a period of five years, after which the district may renew certification every three years. 8758.1. The council may solicit and receive gifts, donations, bequests, grants of funds, or any other revenues, from public or private sources, and expend those moneys, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for a state-designated cultural district program and for any other purpose it deems necessary to implement this chapter.