LA HB576

Transfers the Old Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge from the Division of State Buildings (under the Governor's office) to the Department of State, giving the Secretary of State full custody, control, and supervision of the facility and its contents

Establishes the mansion as a historical, cultural, and educational institution with a primary purpose to collect, preserve, and present documents, artifacts, and objects of art reflecting Louisiana's politics, history, art, and culture

Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter contracts with public agencies or nonprofit corporations for offices, stores, exhibits, joint construction, equipment, maintenance, and cooperative enterprises at the property

Requires the legislature to provide sufficient operating funds; if funding is unavailable, the Department of State may temporarily close the mansion to the public while maintaining the building

Grants the Secretary of State authority to solicit and accept donations, grants, and loans of property; provides deaccession authority for collections (exempt from surplus property disposal laws); and establishes a procedure for claiming property deposited for more than 10 years without claim