This bill proposes significant changes to current law. It is our hope that these changes will provide guidance and set priorities for funding for projects in an effort to increase access to programs and projects which are of the highest caliber. The legislation imposes a new structure on the NEA and NEH, and increases the percentage of funds made available to state councils. It places greater emphasis on ensuring Endowment programs reach underserved communities. The bill calls for a merging of many of the administrative functions of the Endowments with the intent of eliminating costly and unnecessary duplication.
Administrative funds are capped on a sliding scale.
In an effort to further streamline the Agencies and cut bureaucracy, the number of members on the National Councils have been decreased. Both Endowments are explicitly prohibited from using funds for purposes of lobbying or general membership services. The legislation prohibits the NEA from making non-specific seasonal support grants. It restricts grants to individuals to the categories of literature, National Heritage, and Jazz Master fellowships. In addition, panels are prohibited from recommending specific amounts of grants and will be required to recommend more grants than funding available.