BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2610
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 20, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, TOURISM, AND
INTERNET MEDIA
Mike Davis, Chair
AB 2610 (Niello) - As Introduced: February 19, 2010
SUBJECT : Arts Council: officers and employees
SUMMARY : Requires the members of the California Arts Council
(CAC) to select the director, and sets forth duties of the
director, as specified. Specifically, this bill :
1)Provides that the council shall select a director for the CAC.
2)Allows the CAC to delegate to the director the
responsibilities for carrying out its policy.
3)Further provides that the director shall assist the CAC in the
carrying out of its work, be responsible for the hiring of
staff, including, but not limited to, deputy directors, be
responsible for the management and administration of the
staff, and perform other duties as directed.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides that the Governor shall appoint a director and two
deputies for the CAC who shall serve at the pleasure of the
Governor.
2)Allows the CAC to delegate to the director the
responsibilities for carrying out its policy.
3)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.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
AB 2610
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1)Stated Need for Legislation : According to the author, "Most
state arts councils in the U.S. select their 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."
Supporters add, " Having Council Members select the Director
would strengthen the working relationship between the Council
Members and the staff. Rapid turnover at the head of such a
small agency (18 employees) can prove disruptive and lessen
the Council's efficiency. This alteration in the hiring
process w ould provide the Council with the possibility of
increased longevity and continuity in the Director's
leadership. "
A quick check of the number of appointed directors seems to
support the notion of high turnover. In the 35 years since
the CAC was created, there have been 11 directors. By
contrast, there have only been 5 governors in the same period
of time.
2)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
AB 2610
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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."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Arts Council (Sponsor)
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Dana Mitchell / A.,E.,S.,T. & I.M. /
(916) 319-3450