Amendment #11 to H4789

Cultural Facilities Fund

Ms. Ferrante of Gloucester moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:-

SECTION XX. Section 42 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “cultural facility” and by inserting in place thereof the following definition:-

''Cultural facility'', a building, structure or site that is, or will be, owned, leased or otherwise used by a municipality or 1 or more cultural organizations and that is accessible to the public and exempt from income taxation pursuant to section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The term cultural facility may include, but shall not be limited to, museums, historical sites, zoos, aquariums, nature or science centers, theaters, concert halls, exhibition spaces, classrooms and auditoriums suitable for presentation of performing or visual arts. Municipally owned buildings, structures or sites must be (i) a minimum of 50,000 square feet in size, of which at least 50 per cent is used as a cultural facility; provided, however, that if such building, structure or site is 125 years old or older and is significant in the history, archeology, architecture or culture of the nation, the commonwealth or the community in which it is located, it may be of any size, or (ii) a city or town hall that is 125 years old or older, is architecturally significant and publicly houses culturally or historically significant artwork or displays. Public or private institutions of higher education may qualify if they demonstrate that their cultural facility provides service and open access to the community and the general public outside of the regular educational mission of the public or private institute of higher education and demonstrates financial need.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #11 to H4789

Cultural Facilities Fund