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Executive Committee hears bill proposals on Cultural Facilities Fund and STEAM language; approves Feb. 26 agenda
Summary
The committee heard from Public Affairs staff about two bills of interest—a proposed amendment to the Cultural Facilities Fund statute and a technical change to replace 'STEM' with 'STEAM' in state law—and unanimously approved the Feb. 26 Council Meeting agenda after removing one item.
Public Affairs Director Bethann Steiner told the Executive Committee on Feb. 12 that the new legislative session had produced about 7,000 bills and identified two measures of interest to the Council. One, developed with Senator Paul Mark, would amend the Cultural Facilities Fund statute to remove age-and-size eligibility barriers for municipal facilities. The other is a House proposal to correct three statutory references by substituting "STEAM" for "STEM," a change described as primarily symbolic rather than funding-related.
Steiner also briefed the committee on the FY26 budget timetable: the Council initially requested $28 million for FY26; the Governor’s budget came in at just over $26 million (roughly level funding and about $150,000 above the current budget). Ways and Means will hold hearings on the Governor’s budget and the Agency expects to be invited to testify; budget meetings with House and Senate budget chairs are scheduled for early March.
On meeting procedures, Julie Wake moved to approve corrected minutes for Oct. 16, 2024 and Jan. 6, 2025; Vice Chair Jo-Ann Davis seconded and the motion passed unanimously (roll call noted Simone Early, Cecil Barron Jensen, and Iván Espinoza-Madrigal absent). Later, Ché Anderson moved and Julie Wake seconded approval of the Feb. 26 Council Meeting agenda as amended (item 9b removed); the committee again voted unanimously with the same three members absent. Chair Marc Carroll adjourned the meeting at 10:33 a.m.
Votes at a glance: approve minutes (moved Julie Wake; second Jo-Ann Davis) — outcome: approved by roll call, yes: Marc Carroll, Jo-Ann Davis, Ché Anderson, Julie Wake; absent: Simone Early, Cecil Barron Jensen, Iván Espinoza-Madrigal. Approve Feb. 26 agenda (moved Ché Anderson; second Julie Wake) — outcome: approved by roll call, yes: Marc Carroll, Jo-Ann Davis, Ché Anderson, Julie Wake; absent: Simone Early, Cecil Barron Jensen, Iván Espinoza-Madrigal.
