Sen. Angelique Ashby has introduced a bill that would authorize up to $20 million in grants to large music festivals in California, aiming to keep these events local and support the state’s economy. On Thursday, the bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee.The bill’s goal is to retain festivals that generate significant revenue for local economies. For example, Visit Sacramento President and CEO Mike Testa says the four-day Aftershock Festival brings about $40 million into the region. “We host Aftershock, but it’s not branded to Sacramento, and it’s not branded to California, which means they can pick up and take it somewhere else,” says Testa. “You’ve got other cities across the country and other states across the country that are incentivizing promoters to invest in their community.” To qualify for the grants, festivals would need to meet specific criteria, including hosting more than 100 live performances, attracting at least 100,000 admissions, and signing a multi-year contract with a local tourism group. “Part of this bill is very similar to the film bill where there’s an incentive for people to film in California,” said Testa. “This is the same thing. There should be incentive to keep that business in California because it’s at risk of leaving.”The bill is now headed to the Senate floor. As of now, there is no registered opposition to the proposal.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google

Sen. Angelique Ashby has introduced a bill that would authorize up to $20 million in grants to large music festivals in California, aiming to keep these events local and support the state’s economy. On Thursday, the bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The bill’s goal is to retain festivals that generate significant revenue for local economies.

For example, Visit Sacramento President and CEO Mike Testa says the four-day Aftershock Festival brings about $40 million into the region.

“We host Aftershock, but it’s not branded to Sacramento, and it’s not branded to California, which means they can pick up and take it somewhere else,” says Testa. “You’ve got other cities across the country and other states across the country that are incentivizing promoters to invest in their community.”

To qualify for the grants, festivals would need to meet specific criteria, including hosting more than 100 live performances, attracting at least 100,000 admissions, and signing a multi-year contract with a local tourism group.

“Part of this bill is very similar to the film bill where there’s an incentive for people to film in California,” said Testa. “This is the same thing. There should be incentive to keep that business in California because it’s at risk of leaving.”

The bill is now headed to the Senate floor. As of now, there is no registered opposition to the proposal.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google