(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Municipality” means any town, city, borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough; and
(2) “Regional service organization” means an organization designated by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development as a regional provider of arts and cultural leadership for the support of state and municipal economies.
(b) Any municipality may, by vote of its legislative body and in conformance with the standards and criteria formulated by the Department of Economic and Community Development, establish within its confines a cultural district or districts to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the marketing of arts and culture attractions, the encouragement of artists and artistic and cultural enterprises and the promotion of tourism.
(c) In each municipality that establishes a cultural district or districts pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, such municipality shall establish a cultural district commission. The legislative body of such municipality, in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, shall determine the number of members to serve on such commission, the term of such members and the manner in which such members are appointed and in which any vacancy on such commission is to be filled. Such legislative body shall authorize such commission to exercise any power and perform any duty necessary or desirable for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, (1) consulting and collaborating with said commissioner and regional service organizations for assistance with marketing, advocacy and other efforts, and (2) applying for or soliciting and accepting any grant, contribution, gift, bequest, devise or other donation from any source.
(d) The legislative body of any municipality may make appropriations for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section.
(P.A. 19-143, S. 1.)