A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds for expansion of the north carolina maritime museum.
Whereas, the North Carolina Maritime Museum system, with museums in Beaufort, Roanoke Island, and Southport, in 2004 served more than 225,500 visitors, including more than 10,000 children in class groups; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Maritime Museum system is a vital part of the tourism industry in the State; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Maritime Museum system has outgrown its 20‑year-old facilities in Beaufort; and
Whereas, in 1997 and 1998, the General Assembly granted the Friends of the Maritime Museum funds with which to acquire land in Beaufort for a 30‑acre museum annex to be deeded to the State when completed; and
Whereas, the Friends of the Maritime Museum has begun a campaign to raise $2 million from private sources across the State to complete the first phase of the museum's expansion by 2006; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, the sum of two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) for the 2005‑2006 fiscal year for capital improvements and operating expenses.  These funds shall be allocated as follows:
(1)	$2,000,000 for capital improvements of the Maritime Museum in Beaufort.
(2)	$500,000 for operating expenses needed to expand the North Carolina Maritime Museum system.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2005.