ARTICLE 2. Creation and Powers of the Endowment [20053. - 20060.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 2.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 20053. Section 20053.

(a) There is in the Natural Resources Agency the California Cultural and Historical Endowment, consisting of the following 10 members: (1) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, who shall serve as chair of the endowment, or his or her designee. (2) The State Librarian, or his or her designee. (3) The Director of Finance, or his or her designee. (4) Three members appointed by the Governor. (5) Two members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. (6) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. (b) Two Members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and two Members of the Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, shall meet with the endowment and participate in its activities to the extent that such participation is not incompatible with their respective positions as Members of the Legislature.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 20054. Section 20054.

(a) Appointments to the endowment made pursuant to paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 20053 shall be persons with distinguished achievements in the fields of California history and culture, including, but not limited to, persons with distinguished achievements in the field of California history, historic preservation, architectural history, historical museum design and operation, California artistic history, prehistory, archaeology, or in the cultural achievements of the diverse ethnic and other groups comprising California’s population, including the native peoples of California. (b) Appointments to the endowment made pursuant to paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 20053 shall be representative of the diverse ethnic and other groups comprising California’s population, and shall be geographically balanced. (c) The members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 20053 shall serve at the pleasure of his or her appointing authority. Members appointed under these paragraphs of subdivision (a) of Section 20053 shall be compensated for attendance at regular meetings of the endowment at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100) per day, and shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 20056. Section 20056.

If any member of the endowment is an employee, director, or officer of any organization that has applied to the endowment for a grant, that member shall not communicate with any other member of the endowment or any member of any advisory panel regarding the grant application and the member shall not be present when the application is considered by the endowment or advisory panel.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 20057. Section 20057.

(a) A majority of the total authorized membership of the endowment shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business under this chapter. (b) The endowment may adopt regulations as necessary or convenient for carrying out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, establishing grant application criteria and procedures. Before adopting regulations for grant application criteria and procedures, the endowment shall conduct public hearings throughout the state and shall invite persons from diverse groups and ethnic backgrounds to share their input on the matter. (c) The endowment may hold hearings, execute agreements, and perform any acts necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The endowment may select and contract with other state agencies and with private entities, including nonprofit organizations, museums and individuals to provide services necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 20058. Section 20058.

The endowment shall determine the qualifications of, and it shall appoint and fix the salary of, the executive officer of the endowment, who shall be exempt from civil service, and shall appoint such other staff as may be necessary to carry out the powers and functions set forth in this chapter.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 20059. Section 20059.

The endowment may appoint one or more advisory committees as it determines to be useful to its work. Members of advisory committees shall serve without compensation, but each may be reimbursed for necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 20060. Section 20060.

The endowment may apply for and accept federal grants. Notwithstanding Section 11005 of the Government Code, the endowment may receive gifts, donations, subventions, rents, royalties, and other financial support from public and private sources without additional approvals. Funds received pursuant to this section, except for federal grants, shall be deposited in the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Fund, which is hereby created, and, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are continuously appropriated to the endowment for its lawful purposes, after notification to and approval by the Department of Finance. The endowment shall report annually to the Legislature on the condition and status of the fund, and the uses made of moneys in the fund during the year.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026