NY A01758

Allows municipal governing bodies to place a proposition on the ballot authorizing an annual property tax levy to support history, arts, and culture activities, including historic preservation, museums, performing and visual arts, film, literature, and folk arts

Requires voter approval by majority vote before a municipality can impose the levy, with the tax taking effect in the budget year following approval

Mandates that levy proceeds be deposited into a dedicated history, arts, and culture trust fund, with funds used exclusively for cultural purposes unless the municipality is in fiscal distress

Requires municipalities to designate a local arts council (either a government agency or 501(c)(3) nonprofit) to receive appropriations from the trust fund

Exempts the history, arts, and culture levy from the state's property tax cap, and allows voters to petition (with 15% of votes cast in the last general election) to force a ballot proposition on establishing, amending, or repealing the levy