By: Alvarado S.B. No. 2505
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the cultural advancement fund.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 444, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter CC to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER CC. CULTURAL ADVANCEMENT FUND PROGRAM
Sec.444.033. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on the
Arts.
(2) "Cultural advancement" means any efforts that
promote and support the sustainability of any culture in the State
of Texas, including a culture's art, dance, music, or history.
(a) For purposes of this section, "culture" means
any nationality, racial, or ethnic group.
(3) "Fund" means the cultural advancement fund created
under Section 444.034.
Sec. 444.034. CULTURAL ADVANCEMENT FUND. (a) The
commission shall establish and administer the Cultural Advancement
Fund as a dedicated account in the general revenue fund.
(b) The following amounts shall be deposited in the fund:
(1) any money appropriated by the legislature for
the fund for purposes of this chapter;
(2) interest earned on the investment of money in
the fund; and
(3) gifts, grants, and donations received for the
fund.
Sec. 444.035. GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall
establish and administer the Cultural Advancement Fund grant
program to benefit cultural centers, nonprofit corporations
defined by section 22.001, Business Organizations Code, art venues,
museums, or other entities that spur economic development through
cultural advancement.
(b) To be eligible to receive a grant under the grant
program, an applicant must:
(1) apply in a manner prescribed by commission rule;
(2) be in good standing under the laws of this state;
and
(3) have a legitimate need for the grant.
Sec.444.036. USES OF GRANT. A grant recipient may use the
grant received under this subchapter for any expense needed to
promote cultural advancement, including costs related to payroll,
programming, remodeling, and renovating facilities.
Sec.444.037. RULES. The commission shall adopt rules
necessary to implement this subchapter.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, and not later than September 1, 2024, the Commission on
the Arts shall adopt rules necessary to implement Subchapter CC,
Chapter 444, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.