Civic Center Act Capital Fee Authorization Expires Jan. 1, 2025

Changes are coming to the Civic Center Act in the new year.  Under the Civic Center Act, school districts can allow community groups such as nonprofit organizations, clubs, and associations to use their facilities or grounds, and districts may charge fees for the direct costs of utilizing their facilities.  Existing law (Education Code Section 38134) gives school districts the ability to charge for operational costs (such as staffing, supplies, and utilities), as well as for direct costs associated with maintenance, repair, restoration, and refurbishment (often referred to as “capital” costs).  

The authorization to charge for capital costs will expire on Jan. 1, 2025; school districts will still be able to charge a fee for operational costs.

The authority to charge direct capital costs was first granted in 2012 via SB 1404 (Hancock), with an original sunset of Jan. 1, 2020.  In 2019, AB 1303 (O’Donnell) extended the sunset from Jan. 1, 2020 to Jan. 1, 2025.  There has not been subsequent legislation to further extend that sunset date.

Please contact CASH Advocates Nancy Chaires Espinoza (nchairesespinoza@m-w-h.com) or Rebekah Kalleen (rkalleen@m-w-h.com) if you have concerns about the impacts of this change on your school district.

~CASH Staff