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Home/Bills/SB 370California · 2025–2026 Regular Session
Senate BillFailedGovernment

SB 370: California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program.

California · Senate · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified February 3, 2026

What SB 370 does, verified February 3, 2026

The bill aims to establish a music festival preservation grant program within the office of small business advocate. The program will provide grants to eligible independent live music event promoters to support their ability to provide equitable access to the arts for all Californians. The grants will be awarded subject to appropriation by the legislature, with a total allocation of $20 million. The program will have specific requirements for eligibility, and the office will be responsible for administering the program under the direct authority of the director.

Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
2In CommitteeCurrent
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. (2026-02-02)Alert me
Author and sponsors
Sen. Angelique AshbyAuthor · California State Senate
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlock
Recent actions13 total · showing 5
Feb. 02, 2026Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
May. 23, 2025May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
May. 16, 2025Set for hearing May 23.
May. 12, 2025May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
May. 02, 2025Set for hearing May 12.
Full action history, 8 earlier actionsConnect Plus
Latest bill textAmended version, March 25, 2025 · 743 words

Amended IN Senate March 25, 2025

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 370

Introduced by Senator Ashby

February 13, 2025

An act to add Section 12098.9 to the Government Code, relating to music festivals.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 370, as amended, Ashby. Music festivals. California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program.
Existing law establishes the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, also known as “GO-Biz,” to serve the Governor as the lead entity for economic strategy and the marketing of California on issues relating to business development, private sector investment, and economic growth, among other duties. Existing law establishes various programs and offices within GO-Biz to assist business development. and provides for the appointment by the Governor of the Small Business Advocate, also known as the Director of the Office of Small Business Advocate, to, among other things, serve as the principal advocate in the state on behalf of small businesses.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would provide equitable access and economic development opportunities for music festivals. The bill would include findings and declarations relating to these provisions. establish the California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program within the office, under the direct authority of the director, to provide grants to eligible independent live music events promoters to support their continued ability to provide equitable access to the arts for all Californians. The bill would specify requirements for eligibility and, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, would require the office to allocate the sum of $20,000,000 in grants to eligible independent live music events promoters that meet those requirements.
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

Section 12098.9 is added to the Government Code, to read:

12098.9.

(a) The California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program is hereby established within the office.
(b) The program shall be under the direct authority of the director, and the office shall administer grants to eligible independent live music events promoters in accordance with this section.
(c) The purpose of the program is to provide grants to eligible independent live music events promoters in order to support their continued ability to provide equitable access to the arts for all Californians.
(d) For purposes of this section, “eligible independent live music events promoter” means an entity that satisfies all of the following:
(1) It is a sole proprietor, C-corporation, S-corporation, cooperative, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, or a nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2) It, as a principal business activity, organizes, promotes, produces, manages, or hosts live concerts, festivals, or other events featuring performing artists at an eligible venue where both of the following take place:
(A) A cover charge through ticketing or front door entrance fee is applied.
(B) Performers are paid.
(3) At least 70 percent of the earned revenue of the entity is generated through cover charges or ticket sales, production fees, or production reimbursements, or the sale of event beverages, food, or merchandise.
(e) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature:
(1) The office shall allocate grants to eligible independent live music events promoters that meet the requirements of this section.
(2) The amount of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be allocated in one or more rounds to eligible independent live music events promoters.

SECTION 1.

(a)It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would provide equitable access and economic development opportunities for music festivals.

(b)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following regarding enhancing equitable access to music festivals:

(1)Music festivals and large community gatherings have a significant economic impact on local cities and the State of California.

(2)In 2023, a study found that 34 percent of surveyed adults in the United States had attended a music festival more than once.

(3)Music festivals attract visitors, which increases sales at local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, retails shops, transportation businesses, and other services.

(4)Music festivals create temporary and permanent jobs, such as security, catering, vendors, transportation, event staff, and artists.

(5)The success of music festivals attracts investments in real estate, local businesses, and other sectors in cities that host music festivals.

(6)Music festivals attract businesses throughout the host city and serve as national and international tourist destinations.

Text of SB 370 as amended, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions
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