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• FRIDAY. APRIL 18 STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

• SOUTHARTS' ARTIST DISASTER RELIEF GRANT CYCLE TO CLOSE MAY 7.

• CALL TO ARTISTS & CALL FOR DESIGN

Are you an artist who suffered loss from Hurricanes Milton or Helene? Do you know one? PLEASE share this opportunity with them! The deadline to apply for a $2,000 grant through the Southern Arts Relief & Recovery Fund is May 7, 2025. Don’t miss this chance to replace lost supplies and equipment. Apply while you still can: [link to grant application page]

For updates regarding this fund and other South Arts opportunities, sign up for our mailing list. For other opportunities you may be interested in, please refer to the Hurricane Recovery Resource list.

SENATE AND HOUSE BILLS AFFECTING THE

ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR

HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS

SIDE BY SIDE

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE BILLS

SB2500 - the budget

The Senate appropriates $18,325,297 for all 184 recommended Cultural and Museum Grants at a level of 100%.

$325,000 to fully fund top 13 of 18 recommended Culture Builds Florida Grants according to ranking.

$15,654,157 fully funding the top 39 of 55 passing Cultural Facilities in order of ranking.

HB5001 - the budget

The House appropriates $5,852,031 to fully fund a select 19 of the 184 recommended Cultural and Museum Grants without regard to ranking.

$125,000 to fund 5 of the 18 recommended Culture Builds Florida Grants without regard to ranking

$7,330,636 funding 19 of 55 recommended Cultural Facilities grants without regard to ranking.

SB2500 - IF you haven't already, ask Senators to maintain their levels of funding as they go into conference and add $107,000 to Culture Builds Florida to fully fund all recommended applications.

HB5001 - IF you haven't already, ask Representatives to adopt the Senate's appropriation amounts and the manner in which funds are applied in conference and complete full funding of recommended Culture Builds Florida applications.

Additionally, the Senate proposes: " $5,000,000 in  nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is provided for  projects on the 2025-2026 Cultural and Museum Grants General Program Support ranked list submitted by the Florida Council on Arts and Culture  [...]The department is authorized to submit a budget amendment  by September 15 to the Legislative Budget Commission [...] for the release of funds. Release of funds is  contingent upon the submission of a list of projects recommended for funding by the department from projects that scored 85 percent or higher on the ranked list and which were not included in the ranked list that was submitted to the Legislature."

SB1524 - re the Dept of State arts grants - stalled in committee

SB1664 - requiring counties to reauthorize local option taxes included bed tax) via referendums. Passed Finance and Tax on 4/15. Referred to Appropriations. It is on their 4/22 agenda. Expect it to pass.

SB1242 - termination of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) will be heard in the Senate Committee on Rules Monday 4/21.

SB482 - no longer affecting Arts and Culture sector.

SB1118 - land use bill amended to prohibit development fee for public art Next referred committee is not meeting again.

HB1011 - re the Dept of State arts grants - stalled in committee

HB1221 - requiring counties to reauthorize local option taxes included bed tax) via referendums. Passed by Intergovernmental Affairs on 4/9. Referred to State Affairs Committee. Expect to see it on 4/22 agenda (and pass.)

HB991 - termination of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) was postponed in Commerce committee 4/15. Will likely be heard in their 4/22 meeting.

HB665 - prohibition of development fees for public art. Last action 4/9. Does not appear to be prioritized by committee not its companion.

HB1209 - a land use bill Last action 03/05 Next referred committee is not meeting again.

Re: HB1011/SB1524

No action. It is no longer being considered.

SB1664 AND HB1221

Ask legislators to amend this bill to excluded the Tourist Development (bed) Tax as it is not a revenue stream supported by non-residents for one of the state's largest economic drivers.

SB1242: Contact members of the Senate Committee on Rules before Monday at 2:00 p.m. and urge them to amend the bill. Details and guidance from our friends at Florida Redevelopment Association.

Re: SB482: No action. Bill has been amended favorably.

Re: HB665: No action. Appears to be stalling.

Re: SB1118: No Action. Bill will not be heard again.

Re: HB1209: No Action. Bill will not be heard again.

Florida Art in State Buildings — Call to Artists

The Second District Court of Appeal (2DCA), located in St. Petersburg, FL, seeks to acquire artwork for permanent public display in its new courthouse's interior and/or exterior locations (currently under construction.)

Location: 525 Mirror Lake Drive, St. Petersburg, Florida

Budget: $100,000, including honoraria

Artist Submissions Due: May 2, 2025

Project Number: JB-02105000

Timeline: Courthouse anticipated completion date is in October 2025. Timing of the installation of the artwork depends on negotiations with the artist(s) selected to participate. Website: www.2dca.flcourts.gov

Reimagine Clearwater Main Library: A Cultural Destination

The city of Clearwater invites museums, planetariums, or performing arts institutions to partner with the city in transforming a portion or the entirety of the Clearwater Main Library into a destination experience for Tampa Bay area residents and visitors. The Clearwater Main Library is a five-story, 92,332-square-foot venue located in downtown Clearwater.

Location: 100 N. Osceola Ave.

Submission Period Opens: May 21

Submission Period Ends: June 21

Development Opportunity Packet

Feel free to call or email if you have questions or comments. 850.296.8079, info@flca.net

LINK TO 2025 ADVOCACY RESOURCES FOLDER

Florida Cultural Alliance is also supported in part by grant funding from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Learn more www.southarts.org.