Bettini, Rodrigo, April 1985 - ANALYSIS OF A PROPOSED LAW ON "CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT" IN VENEZUELA Abstract: Venezuelan cultural legislation is based on the "Law of Protection and Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art of the Nation." This law was enacted in 1945. It was never modified, and rules and regulations to implement it have never been issued. The Venezuelan Ministry of Justice published in 1968 a "Draft of Law on the Guardianship of the Monumental, Historic, and Artistic Heritage of the Nation." This draft constituted a considerable improvement over the "Law of 1945," but it was never converted to law. Due to changes in the structure of some government agencies, upon which the draft depended, it became obsolete. The study of the cultural legislation of the United States and that of other countries awakened the writer's interest to update and improve the Cultural Resources Management program in Venezuela. An improvement upon extant legislation is sorely needed, in view of the increasing damage and destruction cultural resources are suffering in that country. In order to avoid legal technicalities which are not of the writer's competence, the thesis was prepared as an analysis and critique on the Ministry of Justice's Draft of 1968. Every article of this draft is quoted and observations and recommendations are made, as thought to be required. The analysis of the draft is followed by a set of rules and regulations which are intended to aid its implementation. In order to prepare the material for this thesis, it was necessary to study the cultural legislation of the United States, Venezuela, and other countries. Extensive consultations with lawyers, legislators, and anthropologists were held. A cultural legislation seminar was attended in Venezuela in May of 1984 and the Second New World Conference on Rescue Archaeology was attended in Dallas, Texas, in November of 1984. The Committee on Culture and Education of the Chamber of Representatives of the Venezuelan Congress was presented with a rough draft of this thesis in July of 1984. The Committee has expressed its interest in the finished version. It is expected that the recommendations contained in this paper will improve upon the preservation of that country's cultural heritage. .