Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 38, the following section:-

Section XX. (a) Biennially, on or before March 31, the governor may appoint a Musician Laureate for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from a list of nominees submitted by the Musician Laureate Nominating Committee pursuant to subsection (b). The Musician Laureate may choose to write and/or perform music to commemorate important events, such as ceremonial occasions, celebrations, and state anniversaries as appropriate. The individual may also act as the governor's adviser in musical matters. The Musician Laureate shall also represent the state's musical legacy. The Musician Laureate shall be appointed to serve for a term of 2 years or until a successor is appointed and qualified as provided in this section. There shall be no restriction on reappointment. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Musician Laureate, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(b) There shall be a Musician Laureate Nominating Committee consisting of the following 5 members: the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or a designee; the Senate President, or a designee; and 3 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Members of the Musician Laureate Nominating Committee shall serve without compensation.

(c) The Musician Laureate Nominating Committee shall advertise and receive nominations submitted by citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the selection of the Musician Laureate. Nominees shall be residents of the Commonwealth and shall provide biographical and professional information. The Musician Laureate Nominating Committee shall review all nominations and select 3 nominees on the basis of their overall excellence and their dedicated commitment to the arts in Massachusetts. Nominees should represent the state's diverse musical community. The Musician Laureate Nominating Committee shall submit the 3 nominees to the governor biennially on or before February 1.

(d) The Musician Laureate shall be an honorary position and the person appointed shall receive no monetary remuneration from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The person appointed to the position of Musician Laureate shall not be considered a state official or a state employee for such person's service in the position of Musician Laureate.