HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2968        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2776

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Nika C. Elugardo

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying resolve:

Resolve providing for the creation of a special commission relative to the seal and motto of the Commonwealth.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2968        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2776

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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Resolve providing for the creation of a special commission relative to the seal and motto of the Commonwealth.

Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established (1) for the purpose of investigating the features of the official seal and motto of the commonwealth  including those which potentially have been unwittingly harmful to or misunderstood by the citizens of the commonwealth and (2) for the purpose of examining the seal and motto of the commonwealth to ensure that they faithfully reflect and embody the historic and contemporary commitments of the commonwealth to peace, justice, liberty and equality and to spreading the opportunities and advantages of education.

The commission shall make recommendations regarding a revised or new design of the seal of the commonwealth and a revised or new motto of the commonwealth, as described in sections 2 to 6 of chapter 2, inclusive and shall propose and design an educational program on the history and meaning of the seal and motto.

The commission shall consist of: the Executive Director of the commission on Indian affairs, who shall serve as the chair; 5 members appointed by the commission on Indian affairs who are of lineal descent from tribes with government to government relations by Acts or Resolves of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; the secretary of the commonwealth or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts historical commission or a designee; the executive director of the council on arts and humanities or a designee; the chair of the Massachusetts arts commission or a designee; the Chair of the Mass Cultural Council, the House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Authority, and 2 persons who shall be appointed by the governor.

The commission shall submit a detailed report with its  proposals and recommendations along with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the house and senate chair of the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight and the governor no later than December 2, 2020. The clerks of the house of representatives and senate shall make the report available to the public via the internet. The commission shall not receive funds appropriated by the commonwealth, provided, however, that they may seek, accept and expend any grants or gifts of money, professional services, consultant services, clerical and other services and supplies from the federal government or any other private or public source in the course of its investigation and study. The appointment of the commissioners shall occur within 60 days after the effective date of this resolve.  The special commission shall dissolve 60 days after the submission of the report, unless upon a ⅔ vote of the Commission, a continuance is deemed necessary to complete the purpose of the Commission.  The time frame of said continuance must be specified in the motion to extend time of operation.