BILL ANALYSIS Bill No: AB 2610 SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION Senator Roderick D. Wright, Chair 2009-2010 Regular Session Staff Analysis AB 2610 Author: Niello As Introduced: February 19, 2010 Hearing Date: June 9, 2010 Consultant: Chris Lindstrom SUBJECT Arts Council: officers and employees. DESCRIPTION AB 2610 removes the governor's authority to appoint the director and two deputies for the California Arts Council (CAC) and instead requires the council to select a director, who would be responsible for hiring council staff, including deputy directors. EXISTING LAW Existing law provides that the Governor shall appoint a director and two deputies for the CAC who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Existing law allows the CAC to delegate to the director the responsibilities for carrying out its policy. Existing law further provides that the director shall assist the CAC in the carrying out of its work, be responsible for the management and administration of the staff, and perform other duties as directed. BACKGROUND Purpose of the bill . According to the author's office, "Most state arts councils in the U.S. select their AB 2610 (Niello) continued Page 2 Directors; only three - California, Virginia and Georgia - have Directors who are appointed solely by the Governor, not in concert with their Council Members. Members of California's Arts Council would like to have the ability to select the Arts Council Director, a protocol that is working successfully across the nation. Nine of California's 11 Council Members are appointed by the Governor, one by the Senate, and one by the Assembly, so a connection between the Governor, the Legislature and the Council is assured. Having the Council select the Director strengthens the council/staff working relationship. Rapid turnover at the head of such a small agency can prove disruptive and lessen the Arts Council's efficiency. This small alteration in the hiring process will provide the staff with the possibility of more longevity and continuity in the Director's leadership." Background on CAC : The CAC is a state agency headquartered in Sacramento. Its eleven council members are appointed by the Governor and the state Legislature . The California Arts Council was established in 1975, replacing the then existing 15-member California Arts Commission, which had been in operation since 1963. According to its webpage, "The mission of the California Arts Council is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The agency encourages widespread public participation in the arts; helps build strong arts organizations at the local level; assists with the professional development of arts leaders; promotes awareness of the value of the arts; and directly support arts program for children and communities. "The California Arts Council encourages widespread public participation in and appreciation of the arts and creative endeavors. The agency helps build strong arts organizations at the local and statewide level, directly supports arts programs for all citizens, assists with the professional development of arts leaders, supports arts education in schools in all areas of the state, and promotes awareness of the value of the arts. The agency does this by administering a number of competitive grant programs and special initiatives, collecting and disseminating information, and assisting organizations and individuals." AB 2610 (Niello) continued Page 3 PRIOR/RELATED LEGISLATION SB 958 (Fletcher and Burns), Chapter 134, Statutes of 1943 . Established the Government Code. SB 1024 (Zenovich), Chapter 1192, Statutes of 1975 . Repeals the law establishing the California Arts Commission. Recasts the law creating and specifying the authority of the California Arts Council. SUPPORT: As of June 4, 2010: California Arts Council (Sponsor) OPPOSE: None on file as of June 4, 2010) FISCAL COMMITTEE: Senate Appropriations Committee **********