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Bill

HB 961

Commissioned Public Art - Artist Rights and Registration of Art

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gabriel Acevero and 7 co-sponsors

Maryland bill establishes artist rights protections and registration requirements for commissioned public art, advancing protections for creators but raising administrative and budgetary implementation questions.

Hearing 3/27 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 961

Legislative bill overview

HB 961 establishes rights and protections for artists who create commissioned public art in Maryland, including requirements for registration, attribution, and potentially compensation mechanisms. The bill has advanced through multiple readings with amendments and is scheduled for a Budget and Taxation Committee hearing on March 27, 2025.

Why is this important

Public art commissions involve significant public funds and community investment, yet artists often lack legal protections regarding ownership, credit attribution, and use rights. This legislation addresses power imbalances between public entities and individual artists by creating enforceable standards for commissioned artwork, which could influence how municipalities and agencies structure future art contracts.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Requiring registration systems and enforcing artist protections may increase administrative burdens and costs for government agencies and public entities commissioning art
  • Scope and definition disputes: Determining what qualifies as "commissioned public art" versus other creative work could create boundary disputes and implementation challenges
  • Intellectual property complexity: Balancing artist rights (attribution, integrity, compensation) with public ownership of publicly-funded works raises questions about permanent alteration, removal, or modification of commissioned pieces
  • Budgetary concerns: The Budget and Taxation Committee referral suggests funding mechanisms or potential fiscal impacts remain under review

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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