Music festivals.

Senator Ashby's music festival legislation lays the groundwork for future policies to expand access to these events while capitalizing on their economic potential across California. The bill outlines the Legislature's intent to develop programs supporting equitable access to music festivals, citing their multifaceted impact on local economies.

The legislation's findings document the reach of music festivals in the United States, noting that 34 percent of surveyed adults attended multiple festivals in 2023. These events generate economic activity through increased patronage of local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, retail establishments, and transportation services. The findings also detail how festivals create both temporary and permanent employment opportunities - from security and catering staff to vendors and artists - while attracting investment in real estate and business development within host communities.

Under existing law, the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) oversees California's economic strategy and business development initiatives. While this bill does not modify GO-Biz's current structure or establish new programs, it provides a foundation for future legislation to address music festival access and economic development through that office or other state entities.