Panel approves bill applying existing grant standards to performing arts grants

Chair Lee introduced HB 1815 to apply existing grant standards to the performing-arts grants program created last year, and the committee voted to pass the bill with amendments.

Karen Ewell, executive director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, testified the change would allow the foundation "to administer the performing arts grants fund in a very efficient way" and asked the committee to move the bill forward. No opponents appeared. The chair moved amendments including an effective-date change that was recorded in the motion, and with five members present the measure was adopted.

The transcript records the committee adopting the measure with amendments; the specific administrative changes and whether additional rulemaking or staffing are required were not detailed on the record.