State government: California Board to Fund Public Interest Media.

Existing law creates the California Public Broadcasting Commission in state government as an independent commission to encourage the growth and development of public broadcasting services to the people of this state. This bill would create the California Board to Fund Public Interest Media that would operate pursuant to these provisions if it is funded by an appropriation by the Legislature, private donations, or both. The bill would require the Speaker of the Assembly, the President pro Tempore of the Senate, the minority leaders of the Assembly and the Senate, and the Governor to appoint individuals to the 15 member board, as specified. The bill would require the board to do various things, including encouraging independent, local public service news coverage and awarding grants to individuals or organizations. The bill would require the board to provide an opportunity for verbal and written public comment on the grant applications under its consideration. The bill would also authorize the board to accept federal grants, and gifts, donations, bequests, or grants of funds from private sources and public agencies for these purposes, to be deposited into the California Fund for Public Interest Media, which the bill would also create. The bill would require the board to report to the Governor and the Legislature annually on its activities, as specified. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2028.