Oklahoma House panel approves bill to spend $40 million to complete Native American museum

By The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — A plan to take $40 million from the state’s Unclaimed Property Fund to pay for the completion of a Native American museum in Oklahoma City has cleared another legislative hurdle.

Members of a House budget subcommittee voted 8-2 on Monday, sending the bill to the full House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

Museum officials say the plan is to use the $40 million in state funds to match another $40 million in pledges the tribes and other donors to fund the completion of the unfinished museum.

The bill already has passed the Senate, but House Speaker Jeff Hickman reiterated last week he wants 51 of the 72 House Republicans to support the plan before he schedules it for a vote in the House.

Online:

Senate Bill 1651: http://bit.ly/1nLlOZc