By: Alvarado S.B. No. 2505               A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of the cultural advancement fund.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 444, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter CC to read as follows:           SUBCHAPTER CC. CULTURAL ADVANCEMENT FUND PROGRAM           Sec.444.033.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission on the   Arts.                (2)  "Cultural advancement" means any efforts that   promote and support the sustainability of any culture in the State   of Texas, including a culture's art, dance, music, or history.                      (a)  For purposes of this section, "culture" means   any nationality, racial, or ethnic group.                (3)  "Fund" means the cultural advancement fund created   under Section 444.034.          Sec. 444.034.  CULTURAL ADVANCEMENT FUND. (a) The   commission shall establish and administer the Cultural Advancement   Fund as a dedicated account in the general revenue fund.          (b)  The following amounts shall be deposited in the fund:                      (1)  any money appropriated by the legislature for   the fund for purposes of this chapter;                      (2)  interest earned on the investment of money in   the fund; and                      (3)  gifts, grants, and donations received for the   fund.          Sec. 444.035.  GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall   establish and administer the Cultural Advancement Fund grant   program to benefit cultural centers, nonprofit corporations   defined by section 22.001, Business Organizations Code, art venues,   museums, or other entities that spur economic development through   cultural advancement.          (b)  To be eligible to receive a grant under the grant   program, an applicant must:                (1)  apply in a manner prescribed by commission rule;                (2)  be in good standing under the laws of this state;   and                (3)  have a legitimate need for the grant.          Sec.444.036.  USES OF GRANT. A grant recipient may use the   grant received under this subchapter for any expense needed to   promote cultural advancement, including costs related to payroll,   programming, remodeling, and renovating facilities.          Sec.444.037.  RULES. The commission shall adopt rules   necessary to implement this subchapter.           SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, and not later than September 1, 2024, the Commission on   the Arts shall adopt rules necessary to implement Subchapter CC,   Chapter 444, Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.