GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 61*

Short Title:  African-American Heritage Comm.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Jordan, Edwards; Dannelly and Lucas.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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January 26, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A RESERVE FOR STATE ASSISTANCE TO A CENTER FOR THE PROMOTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE IN NORTH CAROLINA AND TO ESTABLISH AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is established in the Office of State Budget and Management a reserve of two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) for State assistance to a center for promotion of African-American heritage and culture in North Carolina.  Any unit of local government or any North Carolina nonprofit corporation may submit a proposal for consideration by the Advisory Committee created in Section 2 of this act for a one-time grant to partially fund the capital costs of such a center.
The funds are to be allocated as set forth below (i) upon approval by the Governor of a specific proposal for the establishment of such a center and (ii) upon the availability of a minimum local match of one dollar for every one State dollar needed for the estimated cost of the project.  In-kind contributions of real property shall be considered in meeting the local matching requirement, provided that the real property is appraised pursuant to a procedure approved by the State Property Office.
Upon the Governor's approval of a specific proposal and the meeting of the local matching requirement, the Office of State Budget and Management shall release funds for planning of the project in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total State funds to be allocated for the project.  Upon the successful completion of the planning phase, the Governor shall authorize the release of the remaining funds necessary to complete the project.  Any unexpended funds in this reserve at the end of the 1997-98 fiscal year shall revert to the General Fund.
Sec. 2.  There is established in the Department of Administration the African-American Heritage and Culture Advisory Committee for the purposes of (i) evaluating proposals for the establishment of a center for the promotion of African-American heritage and culture in North Carolina and (ii) advising the Governor on the expenditure of State funds for such a center.  The Advisory Committee shall be composed of seven members, three to be appointed by the Governor, two to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and two to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.  Two of the members appointed by the Governor, one of the members appointed by the Speaker, and one of the members appointed by the President Pro Tempore shall be faculty members at colleges or universities in North Carolina who have demonstrated scholarly expertise in various aspects of African-American heritage and culture.  The Advisory Committee shall terminate on the date the Governor approves a specific proposal or on June 30, 1998, whichever is earlier.
Sec. 3.  The African-American Heritage and Culture Advisory Committee shall consider the following criteria in evaluating proposals and advising the Governor:
(1)	The potential of the proposal to effectively commemorate the heritage and culture of African-Americans in North Carolina from colonial times to the present, including the unique contributions of African-Americans to the development and evolution of this State;
(2)	The demonstrated level of financial support for the proposed project from non-State sources;
(3)	The viability of the stated strategy for operation, maintenance, and support of the proposed center;
(4)	The accessibility of the proposed center, including likely visitation;
(5)	The prospects for linking the proposed center with other historical and cultural attractions in the region; and
(6)	The tendency of the proposed design and layout of the center to facilitate and enhance the experience of visitors to the proposed center.
Sec. 4.  All proposals shall be submitted to the Advisory Committee by December 31, 1995, and shall:
(1)	Address all of the criteria enumerated in Section 3 of this act; and
(2)	State the estimated capital cost of the proposed project.
Sec. 5.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.