AR SB455

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Improvement Fund to the Department of Arkansas Heritage - Historic Preservation for grants to historical preservation organizations.

Grants must be used for acquiring, archiving, restoring, and organizing artwork and historical documents relating to African American history.

Exempts the appropriations from restrictions applicable to other programs and allows the department to adopt new rules and regulations to implement the act's intent.

Permits institutions and agencies to supplement state funds with grants, donations, and federal funds for the projects, while prohibiting use of maintenance and general operations funds.

Declares an emergency effective date of July 1, 2011, citing the constitutional prohibition on multi-year appropriations and the need for immediate agency operations.