Rep. Baker files bill in North Carolina House to fund arts festival

A new bill filed by State Rep. Amber M. Baker in the North Carolina House seeks to provide financial support to promote cultural diversity and unity through the 1Love Festival, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 393 on March 13 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Funds for One Love Festival.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill appropriates $250,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The funds will be directed as a grant to The Arts Council, Inc., to support the annual 1Love Festival in Winston-Salem. The festival is a three-day event focused on celebrating diversity, fostering unity, and providing a platform for cultural expression through music, arts, and entertainment. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Kanika Brown proposed the most bills (eight) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Baker graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a BS.

Baker, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 72nd House district, replacing previous state representative Derwin Montgomery.