Cal Cities mural bill moves closer to the Governor’s desk
A bill that would make it easier for cities to commission muralists, SB 456 (Ashby), is one step closer to the Governor’s desk. Co-sponsored by Cal Cities, the measure would exempt muralists from state contractor license requirements when working on public and private art projects. This narrow exception would allow muralists and cities to restart stalled mural projects.
The bill passed unanimously out of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee last week and will be heard in Assembly Appropriations after the summer recess. If approved, the bill must pass off the Assembly floor before heading to the Governor’s desk.
Why it matters
In 2023, the California Contractors State License Board began notifying cities that muralists must carry a contractor’s license for projects over $500. To qualify for a commercial license, muralists need to accumulate four years of specialized experience under a licensed contractor, pass the Law and Business examination, and pay licensing fees. City staff who knowingly hire unlicensed muralists can face fines.
Unsurprisingly, this forced cities to pause or outright halt projects throughout the state. “These regulations have made it difficult to procure artists, as their body of work often does not align with the experience needed to obtain a C33 license,” one city official told Cal Cities in March.
Earlier this year, The Orange County Register endorsed the measure as “common sense” and “worthwhile.”
Muralists provide different services than a painting contractor, as their work is an artistic expression rather than changing the building’s structural integrity. These requirements create unnecessary barriers to working on public art projects and expose city employees and artists to fines. By passing this bill, lawmakers would allow muralists to continue their work, beautify public spaces, and bring communities together across California cities.