Senator Portantino’s Historic Venue Restoration Bill Passes Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee
For Immediate Release: July 10, 2023
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Senator Portantino’s Historic Venue Restoration Bill Passes Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee
Sacramento, California – Today Senate Bill 96, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank), was approved by the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee. The bill provides that a portion of sales and use taxes generated at historic venues would be reinvested back into those sites for restoration and maintenance purposes.
“California is the proud home to many large historic entertainment venues such as the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, which I am proud to represent,” stated Senator Portantino. “The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and the Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley are among others. These venues have been critical to California’s culture and economy for over a century. In order to keep them open, we need to invest in them so they can continue to contribute to the health and vibrancy of their local communities.”
Historic venues in California are in desperate need of reinvestment towards infrastructure, environmental sustainability, patron safety, preventative maintenance and accessibility. In addition, to retain status as a National Historic Landmark, there are significant compliance requirements.
Recognizing impacts on the budget, SB 96 does not seek allocations from the state’s General Fund to support the preservation of these venues. Instead, it utilizes the sales and use tax revenue generated by their live events to reinvest back into each respective venue's infrastructure.
“SB 96 is an affirmation of the positive impact that these historic sports and entertainment venues have for their local economies,” stated City of Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo. “We need to continue reinvesting in the State’s history, especially at places that bring communities and people together locally, regionally and from around the world. We are grateful to Senator Portantino for his support and leadership in this important endeavor.”
A “historic venue” is defined as a venue in the state that meets certain criteria, including that the contain a structure built before 1940, contain a structure officially designated by the United States National Park Service or the United States Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark, or one that is located at a site continuously used for live, ticketed events for more than 50 years.
SB 96 has received support from City of Pasadena Fire Department, City of Pasadena Mayor Gordo, Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC), League of California Cities, Los Angeles Council Member Nithya Raman, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Pasadena Center Operating Company, Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association, Pasadena Heritage, Pasadena Police Department, Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, Rose Bowl Stadium, San Jose State University Athletics Department, University of California Berkeley Athletics Department, and the University of Southern California.
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