03/27/1997 08:04 AM House STA

 HB 143 - REPEAL ART IN PUBLIC PLACES REQUIREMENT                            
                                                                               
 The next order of business to come before the House State Affairs             
 Standing Committee was HB 143, "An Act relating to the art in                 
 public places requirements for state-owned and state-leased                   
 buildings and facilities."                                                    
 CHAIR JAMES called on Representative Vezey, sponsor of HB 143, to             
 present the bill.                                                             
                                                                               
 Number 2068                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE VEZEY said he did not have any further comments to             
 make on HB 143.  The committee had debated the bill and there had             
 been public testimony.                                                        
                                                                               
 Number 2074                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE VEZEY moved that HB 143 move from the committee with           
 individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note(s).                   
                                                                               
 Number 2079                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON objected.                                                
                                                                               
 Number 2088                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE IVAN commended the efforts of the sponsor and the              
 intention of the bill.  However, as a minority member of the                  
 majority, he did not see how an appropriation bill of his would go            
 through.  Currently, the 1 percent protected the interest and                 
 included local culture.  He, therefore, saw the program as                    
 including ownership and giving respect while furthering local                 
 cultures.  He would vote against the bill, but he did respect the             
 intent.                                                                       
                                                                               
 Number 2159                                                                   
                                                                               
 CHAIR JAMES stated she supported art in public places without a               
 doubt and saw the benefits.  She had a problem, however, with the             
 percent for art program as a mandate.  She would vote to move the             
 bill from the committee, but she did not know how she would vote on           
 the bill on the floor of the House of Representatives.                        
                                                                               
 Number 2217                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ stated he just listened to a "no frills"             
 prison bill in another committee - the House Judiciary Standing               
 Committee.  It was unfortunate that this bill was also imposing "no           
 frills" to the rest of us.  The percent for art program did not               
 cost the state anything and it benefitted the artists and the                 
 communities.                                                                  
                                                                               
 CHAIR JAMES called for the roll call vote.  Representatives James,            
 Dyson, Hodgins and Vezey voted in favor of the motion.                        
 Representatives Berkowitz, Elton and Ivan voted against the motion.           
 House Bill 143 was so moved from the House State Affairs Standing             
 Committee.