Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37541. Section 37541.
By ordinance, the legislative body may establish a public museum of natural and historical objects in a city where there is none.
ARTICLE 6. Museums [37541. - 37564.]
Cal. Government Code - GOV 6.
in effectCal. Government Code - GOV § 37542. Section 37542.
Upon receiving a petition signed by one-third of the city electors, the legislative body shall establish a museum in such a city. Where several petitions are submitted, they shall be in substantially the same form.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37543. Section 37543.
With the consent of the legislative body, the mayor shall appoint a board of five museum trustees to manage the museum.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37544. Section 37544.
The trustees shall hold office for three years, and shall serve without compensation. The members of the first board shall classify themselves by lot so that the term of one trustee expires at the end of the current fiscal year, two at the end of the next year, and two at the end of the second year. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37545. Section 37545.
The board of museum trustees shall meet at least once a month at the time and place it fixes by resolution. Three trustees may call a special meeting by serving written notice upon the other members at least three hours before the meeting.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37546. Section 37546.
A majority of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37547. Section 37547.
The board shall appoint one of its members president. That member shall serve for one year and until a successor is appointed. In the president’s absence, the board shall select a president pro tempore.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37548. Section 37548.
The board shall cause a proper record of its proceedings to be kept.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37549. Section 37549.
At its first meeting the board shall cause a certificate to be filed with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, showing the date the museum was established and the names of the trustees and officers.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37550. Section 37550.
The board may make and enforce all regulations necessary for the administration and protection of the museum and museum property. Violations of such regulations are punishable by fine or exclusion from the privileges of the museum.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37551. Section 37551.
If the board determines that the city legislative body has not provided suitable buildings for the museum, it may purchase real property and erect, or rent, and equip such buildings as it deems necessary.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37552. Section 37552.
The board may administer any trust created for the museum. It may receive property situated in or out of the State by gift, devise, or bequest and hold it in trust or otherwise. Except where the gift, devise, or bequest provides otherwise, it may dispose of such property for the benefit of the museum.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37553. Section 37553.
The board may appoint and prescribe the duties and powers of the curator, secretary, and other officers and employees of the museum. It may determine the number and fix the compensation of officers and employees. Officers and employees hold office at the pleasure of the board.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37554. Section 37554.
The board may purchase personal property, including necessary publications and objects of natural or historical value.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37555. Section 37555.
The board may borrow objects of natural or historical value from, lend such objects to, and exchange them with, other museums. It may allow nonresidents to borrow such objects, and may accept loans of such objects from any person. It may prescribe the conditions of such loans.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37556. Section 37556.
The board may perform any other act necessary or proper to carry out the provisions of this article.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37560. Section 37560.
If payment into the fund is inconsistent with the conditions of a gift, devise, or bequest, the board shall provide for the preservation of the money and its application to the use of the museum, pursuant to such conditions.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37561. Section 37561.
Claims upon the fund shall be presented to the board for allowance. Such claims shall be paid as are other claims against the city.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37562. Section 37562.
Subject to rules and regulations of the board, the museum shall be free to the inhabitants and nonresident taxpayers of the city.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37563. Section 37563.
Unless inconsistent with the terms of its acquisition, the title to property acquired for museum purposes vests in the city. Actions involving the property shall be brought and defended in the name of the city.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 37564. Section 37564.
Upon receiving a petition signed by one-half of the city electors, the legislative body may repeal the ordinance establishing the museum. Upon repeal of the ordinance the museum is disestablished.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026