SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 1652

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: NOVEMBER 18, 1996

 

      The Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 1652 with committee amendments.

      This bill reappropriates $8,036,000 from the "Cultural Centers and Historic Preservation Fund," established pursuant to the "New Jersey Green Acres, Cultural Centers and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 1987," P.L.1987, c.265, for cultural projects approved for funding under Round IV of the Cultural Centers Bond Issue Program. The six projects recommended for funding were the most favorably evaluated among the 44 applications received in Round IV of the bond program to build, expand or renovate cultural centers. An independent panel composed of six people, expert in various aspects for cultural center design, construction and operation, reviewed and evaluated each proposal. With the approval of the projects included in this bill, a total of 19 different cultural center projects will have been funded under the bond program.

      According to the State Council on the Arts, approximately $8,787,622 in previously appropriated bond funds remain unexpended due to project cancellation or withdrawal, or the inability to execute a contract with a grant applicant; therefore, the bill reappropriates a portion of these unexpended funds for the listed projects, and cancels the previous appropriation for any unexpended funds in excess of the amount reappropriated. The determination that the funds are unexpended due to cancellation or withdrawal or the inability to execute a contract will be made by the State Council on the Arts.

      The committee amendments clarify that the only type of administrative costs eligible to receive funds pursuant to this reappropriation are those related to the projects proposed for funding. Other amendments are technical in nature and serve to clarify the sponsors' intent.