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H.R. 1459 96th Congress House

A bill to provide an opportunity for taxpayers to make financial contributions, in connection with the payment of their Federal income tax, for the advancement of the arts and the humanities.

Introduced: January 24, 1979 See on congress.gov
Taxation Arts, Culture, ReligionFederal aid to the arts and humanitiesIncome taxTax returns
This bill died when the 96th Congress ended
It never became law before the 96th Congress (1979–1980) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 24, 1979
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Jan 24, 1979
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jan 24, 1979
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 24, 1979

Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Permits taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns whether they wish to contribute any portion of their income tax refund or make any additional contribution to the support of either the arts or the humanities. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to amend income tax return forms to provide a notice to taxpayers of their option to contribute.

Authorizes the payment of 50 percent of taxpayer refunds or contributions designated for the arts to the National Endowment for the Arts and 50 percent to State Art Agencies. Specifies purposes for which such funds may be used and imposes restrictions on the use of such funds for administrative purposes or for research projects. Treats payments of funds to State agencies as donations from private persons and not as Federal assistance.

Authorizes the payment of 80 percent of taxpayer refunds or contributions designated for the humanities to the National Endowment for the Humanities and 20 percent to State Humanities Entities. Specifies purposes for which such funds may be used and imposes restrictions on the use of such funds for administrative purposes or for research projects. Treats payments of funds to State Humanities Entities as donations from private persons and not as Federal assistance.

Prohibits any Endowment or agency to which funds are paid under this Act from requiring any applicant for funds to raise additional funds or meet any matching requirements. Prohibits the use of funds raised by this Act to make grants to any institutions which hold such funds for investment. Limits the amount of funds which any institution may receive under this Act according to a specified percentage of the institution's operating budget.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1459: A bill to provide an opportunity for taxpayers to make financial contributions, in connection with the payment of their Federal income tax, for the advancement of the arts and the humanities.. 96th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-1459/
MLA
"H.R. 1459: A bill to provide an opportunity for taxpayers to make financial contributions, in connection with the payment of their Federal income tax, for the advancement of the arts and the humanities.." 96th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-1459/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1459, 96th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-1459/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1459: A bill to provide an opportunity for taxpayers to make financial contributions, in connection with the payment of their Federal income tax, for the advancement of the arts and the humanities.](https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-1459/)
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