HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4159        FILED ON: 2/13/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Christopher J. Worrell

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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 bill:

An Act creating a commission establishing a Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4159        FILED ON: 2/13/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act creating a commission establishing a Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center.

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

  There shall be a special legislative commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to investigate and study the feasibility of establishing a statewide Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center in the City of Boston. The commission shall investigate and study various methods for establishing a Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center in the City of Boston including, but not limited to, the creation of a nonprofit organization to oversee the construction and management of the Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center to represent the over 300 year history of Caribbeans in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall consider the costs of each method.

  Members of the commission shall represent cities or towns with Caribbean people or heritage and consist of 3 members of the house of representatives, 3 of whom shall be of Caribbean descent or represent a district with a significant population of Caribbean people, and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the house minority leader; 3 members of the senate, 3 of whom shall be of Caribbean descent or represent a district with a significant population of Caribbean people, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president, and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 person to be appointed by the mayor of the city of Boston; 1 person to be appointed by the governor; and not more than 15 additional members from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 3 members of the House of Representatives and 3 members of the Massachusetts Senate shall consider and approve the appointments of not more than 15 additional members of the commission, who shall elect two co-chairs.

All appointments to the commission shall be made no later than June 30, 2023. The commission shall report its findings, including any recommendations for legislation, to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate no later than December 31, 2024.