STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

HOUSE BILL 1895	By:	Cockroft

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to arts and humanities; stating legislative intent to reduce appropriations to the Oklahoma Arts Council; establishing certain reduction amounts for certain fiscal years; stating legislative intent regarding appropriations to the Council by a certain fiscal year; directing the Council to secure an amount of funding from certain sources if possible; stating use and purpose of funding; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 176 of Title 53, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  It is the intent of the Legislature to reduce the amount appropriated to the Oklahoma Arts Council each fiscal year by an amount of funds that is equal to or exceeds the following percentages of funding:
1.  For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount appropriated to the Commission for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013;
2.  For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount appropriated to the Commission for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013;
3.  For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount appropriated to the Commission for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013; and
4.  For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount appropriated to the Commission for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013.
B.  It is the intent of the Legislature that by the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, the Council shall not receive appropriations from the Legislature.
C.  In order to supplant the reduction in appropriations as provided for in subsection A of this section, the Council, to the extent possible, shall secure from proceeds from the sale of any materials and items, payments received pursuant to a lease or gifts, grants, contributions, or donations from any person, firm, corporation, group of persons, governmental source or a municipality or other political subdivision of this state an amount of funds that is equal to or exceeds the amount that appropriations are reduced each fiscal year.  The funds from sources as described in this subsection shall be used for the purpose of supplanting the amount appropriated to the Council by the Legislature for the purpose of advancing the understanding, knowledge, enjoyment and practice of the arts for the citizens of this state.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2013.
SECTION 3.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

54-1-5854	KB	01/12/13