HOUSE  .   .   .   .   .   .   .  No. 5245

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 5, 2021.                         

The committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Resolve providing for the creation of a special commission relative to the seal and motto of the Commonwealth (Senate, No. 2848), reports recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text contained in House document numbered 5245.

For the committee,

AARON MICHLEWITZ.

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5245

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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By striking out the text and inserting in place thereof the following:–
 

Resolved, That there shall be a special commission to: (i) investigate the features of the official seal and motto of the commonwealth, under sections 1 to 6, inclusive, of chapter 2 of the General Laws, including those features that may be unwittingly harmful to or misunderstood by the citizens of the commonwealth; and (ii) examine and study 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 for a revised or new design of the seal of the commonwealth and a revised or new motto of the commonwealth and shall make recommendations for 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 or a designee; 5 members appointed by the commission on Indian affairs who are lineal descendants of tribes with a historical presence in the commonwealth; the state secretary or a designee; the chairs of the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight; the senate minority leader or a designee; the house minority leader or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts historical commission or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts cultural council or a designee; and 5 members appointed by the governor who shall have relevant cultural and historical expertise. The members shall select a chair and vice chair of the commission.

Not later than October 1, 2021, the commission shall submit a detailed report with its proposals and recommendations, along with drafts of legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations, to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight and the governor. The clerks of the senate and house of representatives shall make the report available to the public via the internet. The commission shall not receive funds appropriated by the commonwealth; provided, however, that the commission may seek, accept and expend grants or gifts of money and professional, consulting, clerical or other services and supplies from the federal government or any other private or public source in the course of its investigation and study subject to the provisions of chapter 268A of the General Laws. The commissioners shall be appointed not more than 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 2/3rd vote of the commission an extension is deemed necessary and is ordered to complete the purpose of the commission; provided, however, that the time frame of the extension must be specified in the motion to grant the commission the extension.