Sponsor Statement for HB 143

An act relating to the art in public places requirements for state-owned and state-leased building and facilities

This is a very simple bill. It merely removes the existing mandate that one percent of the appropriation for state buildings and facilities go to the Arts Council for the procurement of art. This bill does not prohibit the legislature and/or other appropriating bodies from appropriating any funds it deems suitable for the procurement of art. Nor does it prohibit public agencies or political subdivisions from allocating any amount they deem appropriate for any public facility.

It is the intent of this legislation that the decision of how much money is spent on art be a deliberate act on the part of elected officials making the appropriation or, a deliberate decision on the part of the users responsible for the wise use of public funds.