SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1495        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1877

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis

_________________

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.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Jason M. Lewis

Fifth Middlesex

 

Joanne M. Comerford

Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester

1/22/2019

Jack Patrick Lewis

7th Middlesex

1/22/2019

Maria Duaime Robinson

6th Middlesex

1/24/2019

Mike Connolly

26th Middlesex

1/28/2019

William N. Brownsberger

Second Suffolk and Middlesex

1/30/2019

Thomas M. Stanley

9th Middlesex

1/30/2019

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

1/30/2019

Adam G. Hinds

Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden

1/30/2019

Brendan P. Crighton

Third Essex

2/1/2019

Patricia D. Jehlen

Second Middlesex

2/1/2019

Michael J. Barrett

Third Middlesex

2/1/2019

Rebecca L. Rausch

Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex

2/1/2019

Elizabeth A. Malia

11th Suffolk

2/1/2019

Nick Collins

First Suffolk

2/1/2019

Paul W. Mark

2nd Berkshire

2/19/2019

Julian Cyr

Cape and Islands

3/11/2019

Mindy Domb

3rd Hampshire

9/12/2019


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1495        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1877

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1877) of Jason M. Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford, Jack Patrick Lewis, Maria Duaime Robinson and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide for the creation of a special commission relative to the seal and motto of the Commonwealth.  State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1707 OF 2017-2018.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

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 Senate, the House and Senate chairs 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.