Bill > H2830

This bill establishes a dedicated "Historical Preservation Fund" within the Commonwealth, which will be managed by the State Treasurer and overseen by the State Secretary. This fund will be used for the preservation, education, maintenance, and exhibition of historical items such as flags, documents, artifacts, graves, and monuments. The fund will be financed through revenues generated from specific tax provisions (section six I of Chapter 62), public and private gifts, grants, and donations, and federal reimbursements. Importantly, all money deposited into this fund will remain there and cannot be appropriated for other purposes, ensuring it is solely dedicated to historical preservation. The bill also allows individuals filing state income taxes to voluntarily contribute to this fund by either donating a portion of their tax refund or adding an extra amount to their tax payment, with the Commissioner of Revenue responsible for facilitating these contributions and reporting the total amounts to the State Treasurer. Finally, the State Secretary will disburse these funds to cities, towns, municipalities, and recognized non-profit historical organizations for approved preservation projects.