BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 189 Page 1 CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS AB 189 (Bloom) As Amended August 25, 2015 Majority vote -------------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: | 77-0 | (May 7, 2015) |SENATE: | 31-9 | (September 2, | | | | | | |2015) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------- Original Committee Reference: A.,E.,S.,T., & I.M. SUMMARY: Requires the California Arts Council (CAC) to establish criteria and guidelines for, and to certify, "state-designated cultural districts", as defined. Specifically, this bill: 1)Establishes a competitive application system whereby a community may apply for certification as a state-designative cultural district. 2)Provides that a certification is for five years, after which a district may renew its certification every three years. 3)Requires the CAC to provide technical assistance for state-designated cultural districts from, among others, artists who have experience with cultural districts and AB 189 Page 2 provide promotional support for state-designated cultural districts. 4)Defines a "state-designated cultural district" as a certified geographical area with a concentration of cultural facilities, creative enterprises, or arts venues that does any of the following: a) Attracts artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural enterprises; b) Encourages economic development and supports entrepreneurship in the creative community; c) Encourages the preservation and reuse of historic buildings and other artistic and culturally significant structures; d) Fosters local cultural development; e) Provides a focal point for celebrating and strengthening the unique cultural identity of the community; and, f) Promotes opportunity without generating displacement or expanding inequality. The Senate amendments: 1)Declare that state designated cultural districts may promote opportunity without generating displacement or expanding inequality. 2)Require that the CAC shall 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 AB 189 Page 3 districts. FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs. COMMENTS: This bill would allow the California Arts Council to designate official California Cultural Districts. According to the author, "establishing state-designated cultural districts will help to draw more tourism and commerce to these creative clusters? Arts and cultural districts in other states have spurred new business, increased community interaction, attracted more tourism, and increased government revenue based on the economic growth." The author's office states that Senate amendments are intended to address concerns raised that creating state-designated cultural districts would result in gentrification of neighborhoods which could displace existing residents and artists. Analysis Prepared by: Dana Mitchell / A.,E.,S.,T., & I.M. / (916) 319-3450 FN: 0001543