HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 976        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3538

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act to create the position of Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law, there is created the position of Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

SECTION 2. The Poet Laureate shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of three nominees submitted to him by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.  Said nominee must be Massachusetts born or domiciled in Massachusetts at the time of nomination.

SECTION 3. The Council shall submit the list of three nominees to the Governor by February 1st.  The Governor shall appoint the Poet Laureate within 30 days after receiving the list of nominees.  The Poet Laureate shall be appointed to serve for a term of two years or until a successor is appointed and qualified as provided in this section.

SECTION 4. In the event of a vacancy in the Office of Poet Laureate, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, and the person so appointed shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified as provided in this section.

SECTION 5. The Poet Laureate shall act as a public emissary and advocate for poetry in the state.

SECTION 6. The Poet shall be an honorary position and the person appointed shall receive no remuneration