S.B. 297 - Heritage Preservation Act

• Creates the Heritage Preservation Grant Program within the Oklahoma Historical Society to provide financial assistance to cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Indian Tribes for operating museums and historical organizations.

• Establishes an Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Review Committee (5-7 members appointed by the Board President) to evaluate grant applications based on weighted criteria including project sustainability, collections impact, public participation, and programming possibilities.

• Restricts grant use to operating expenses only (not capital improvements or repairs), with preference for projects affecting collections, educational programs, exhibits, and strategic plan development.

• Eligible applicants limited to Oklahoma municipal and county governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and Oklahoma-incorporated nonprofit organizations.

• Creates the Heritage Preservation Revolving Fund in the State Treasury to receive deposits from law, gifts, donations, grants, and Board allocations for grant distributions and administrative costs.