Bill > HB0686

This bill establishes the African American Cultural and Historical Grant Act, which creates a special fund within the state general fund to support capital projects that highlight African American contributions, culture, and history. The Tennessee Historical Commission will administer the fund, which will be composed of state appropriations, gifts, and donations. The commission will allocate grants with priority given to projects that involve creating new facilities, renovating culturally significant sites, enhancing facilities named after significant African Americans, or restoring historic places. Grant recipients will be selected based on published guidelines, and up to 5% of the fund can be used for program administration, marketing, and evaluation. The state treasurer will invest fund moneys, with any interest accruing to the fund, and unspent balances will carry forward annually. The commission is required to submit an annual report to legislative finance committees by March 1st each year, starting in 2026, detailing the program's status and grant allocations. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and allows the commission to create necessary administrative rules in accordance with existing state procedures.