Updates - 2019 Unicameral
This bill, which contains the Nebraska Arts Council's budget, was voted to Final Reading (3rd and last round) on May 15. We anticipate this bill being voted on next week and sent to the Governor.
This bill was voted to Final Reading on May 14. The bill includes the statute-required $500,000 annual public matching funds for the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
Last week an amendment was filed by the Revenue Committee that included a section repealing an exemption of purchases of fine art purchases by museums. Several advocates reached out to their senators to share the negative impact this would have in enhancing museum collections, as support for these purchases primarily are done by raising funds from donors. The bill stalled on the floor, but we are still monitoring legislative activities to fund property tax relief so that this section is not included in this or other bills.
We will continue to monitor these bills. We encourage you to write, call, or meet your state senators to share your story of how these bills and funding for the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment are beneficial to you, your organizations, and your communities.
