NY S02553

Authorizes counties, cities, towns, and villages to submit a proposition to voters to establish an annual property tax levy to fund history, arts, and culture programs, including historic preservation, museums, performing and visual arts, music, film, and arts education

Requires voter approval by majority vote at a general or special election before a municipality can implement 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" to be used exclusively for cultural purposes, though municipalities in fiscal distress may redirect funds to general use

Allows voters to petition for a ballot measure (requiring signatures from 15% of voters in the last general election) to establish, amend, or repeal the levy

Exempts the history, arts, and culture levy from the state's property tax cap, adding it to the list of exclusions from the real property tax levy limit