HB 256 — AN ACT relating to the establishment of historical commissions.

UNOFFICIAL COPY 21 RS BRHB 331256/GA AN ACT establishingrelating a commission to celebrate the sestercentennialestablishment anniversary of Harrodsburg.historical commissions.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

and WHEREAS, the years 1774 to 1776 were critical to the founding of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the creation of the Declaration of Independence, and the formation of the United States of America;

NOW,and THEREFORE,WHEREAS, BeBoone itTrace, enactedmarked by theDaniel GeneralBoone Assemblyand his party of trailblazers in 1775, was the Commonwealthprimary ofentrance Kentucky:for Europeans moving westward into what is now Kentucky, creating the genesis for westward movement;

and WHEREAS, Native Americans, who lived in what is now Kentucky for thousands of years, were catastrophically affected by this European westward expansion;

and WHEREAS, African Americans during this period were some of the first enslaved people who traveled into what is now Kentucky and brought slavery into the region for Page 1 of 9 HB025610.100 - 331 - XXXX GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 21 RS HB 256/GA the first time;

and WHEREAS, the United States Sestercentennial Commission was established to provide for the observance and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and related events through local, state, national, and international activities, planned, encouraged, developed, and coordinated by a national commission representative of appropriate public and private authorities and organizations;

and WHEREAS, the United States Sestercentennial Commission has encouraged states to establish state-level commissions to plan and coordinate activities within each state celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding;

and WHEREAS, the establishment of a Kentucky Sestercentennial Commission would enhance tourism, economic development, historic appreciation, historic preservation, genealogical connections, and outdoor recreation within the Commonwealth;

and WHEREAS, the parks system of the Commonwealth of Kentucky will reach 100 years of service to the citizens of the Commonwealth in 2024;

and WHEREAS, since its commencement in 1924 with the creation of Cumberland State Park, now known as Pine Mountain State Park, the parks system has grown to include 46 resorts, recreational parks, and historic sites throughout the Commonwealth;

and WHEREAS, the parks system provides recreational opportunities for hiking, camping, boating, fishing, golfing, horseback riding, and caving within the naturally beautiful landscapes of the Commonwealth;

and WHEREAS, the parks system provides educational opportunities for the public to experience the history of the Commonwealth;

and WHEREAS, the parks system has contributed to the economic well-being of the Commonwealth by drawing out-of-state tourists to its lakes, trails, and campgrounds;

and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth would be the poorer if the Kentucky State Parks system had not been established;

Page 2 of 9 HB025610.100 - 331 - XXXX GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 21 RS HB 256/GA NOW, THEREFORE, Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Page 1 of 4 XXXX Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 21 RS BR 331 (a) "Commission" means the Harrodsburg Sestercentennial Commission established in subsection (2) of this section;

(2) The Harrodsburg Sestercentennial Commission is hereby established to planplan, encourage, develop, and coordinate events and other activities related to the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of Harrodsburg in 2024.

(e) Coordinate federal, state, local, and nonprofit organizations' Page 3 of 9 HB025610.100 - 331 - XXXX GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 21 RS HB 256/GA sestercentennial activities occurring in Kentucky;

(g) Act as a point of contact for national organizations wishing to distribute information to state and local groups about grant opportunities, meetings, Page 2 of 4 XXXX Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 21 RS BR 331 and national events related to the settlement of Harrodsburg and sestercentennial activities;

(h) Seek funding sources such as foundations, line items,item appropriations, federal grants, philanthropic organizations, and lineage societies;

and (o) Coordinate planning for the sestercentennial with the nonprofit Page 4 of 9 HB025610.100 - 331 - XXXX GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 21 RS HB 256/GA organization Harrodsburg 250th, Inc., this organization having been established by the local governments of Harrodsburg and Mercer County to serve as the point of contact for local planning for the sestercentennial.

(a) The secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet or his Page 3 of 4 XXXX Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 21 RS BR 331 or her designee;

(f) One (1) member of the Harrodsburg 250th, Inc., recommended by the chair of that organization and appointed by the Governor;

PageSECTION 42. of 4 XXXX Jacketed

A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 148 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

(1) The Kentucky State Parks Centennial Commission is established to plan and implement events to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the state parks system in 2024.

To accomplish its charge, the commission shall:

Page 5 of 9 HB025610.100 - 331 - XXXX GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 21 RS HB 256/GA (a) Assist local governments and organizations with planning, preparation, and grant applications for parks centennial events and projects;

(b) Coordinate events and activities with parties, commissions, and organizations wishing to participate in the centennial celebration;

(c) Seek funding sources such as foundations, line item appropriations, federal grants, and philanthropic organizations;

(d) Establish press, print, and electronic contacts that generate stories on a continual basis;

and (e) Perform other duties necessary to highlight Kentucky's parks system during its one hundredth year.

(2) The Kentucky State Parks Centennial Commission shall consist of the following nine (9) members:

(a) The secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet or his or her designee;

(b) One (1) additional member from the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, appointed by the secretary;

(c) One (1) member from the Kentucky Historical Society, appointed by the executive director of the society;

(d) One (1) member from the Kentucky Heritage Council, appointed by the state historic preservation officer;

(e) Three (3) members selected by the secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet who work in onsite park leadership;

and (f) Two (2) citizen members, one (1) of whom shall be designated as the chair and appointed by the Governor.