Panel revives measure on inventory of state art

A legislative panel is giving a second chance to a bill that would create an inventory of state-owned art.

A bill to create that inventory received strong Senate support in the past session but died because the $33,000 in initial funding and $24,600 in ongoing funding was not approved. Wednesday, the bill was given a second chance, after the Interim Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Committee unanimously voted to bring it back for the 2009 general session.

There had been some concern during prior debate that creating an inventory of public art collections throughout the state could mean transferring ownership to the state.

Ally Isom, deputy director of the Department of Community and Culture, told lawmakers that the bill would simply create an inventory of art which represents, "a substantial investment of public dollars." The bill would also provide education on proper stewardship.