HOUSE BILL NO. 215 An Act repealing statutes that relate to art works in public buildings and facilities and that require a set percentage of construction costs to be spent on art. BARBAR BITNEY, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BILL STOLTZE, stated that Alaska's "Percent for Art" program originated in 1975 with the requirement that a percent of State capital expenditures for public buildings and facilities be set aside to acquire works of art for display in those facilities (Alaska Statute 35.27). She noted that it was the sponsor's intent in introducing HB 215 to address the fiscal aspect of the program; the original version repealed the percent for art program. The committee substitute would provide 1% for art from the first $10 million of the total construction costs and would then reduces it to smaller percentage thereafter. Additionally, the 1% would only apply to State funding sources such as the general fund or the general obligation bonds. Ms. Bitney continued, at this time, a mechanism for maintenance does not exist. The bill would set aside 5% of the percent for art, placing it into the Art in Public Places Fund to insure works of art can be maintained in good condition. The Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) would receive requests for maintenance, facilitate coordination of the repairs, and maintain a database of all artwork that is owned by the State. Furthermore, annual reporting to ASCA would be required by those agencies subject to the 1% for art. Required reporting would provide: · The amount of State funding for the project, the percent set aside for art; · The total cost of art, the title, artist, etc. ASCA would have the information for monitoring works of art and the annual amount allocated to the Percent for Art Program through new construction. Annually, ASCA would prepare a report to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee (LBA). The legislation strengthens the preference for State artists. Ms. Bitney noted that the House State Affairs Committee removed the long-standing reduced percentage for rural schools that allowed for a lesser percentage to compensate for the significantly higher construction costs for rural schools. SANDY GILLESPIE, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ALASKA STATE ARTS COUNCIL, ANCHORAGE, offered to answer questions of the Committee. She noted that the Alaska State Arts Council was supportive of the bill. Representative Foster MOVED to report CS HB 215 (STA) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 215 (STA) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a zero fiscal note #1 by the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.