By Mr. Frost of Auburn, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3400) of Paul K. Frost relative to establishing the position of poet laureate of the Commonwealth.  Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

——————

PETITION OF:

Paul K. Frost

——————

In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

——————

An Act establishing the position of poet laureate of the Commonwealth.

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

SECTION 1.  Chapter 6 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2002 Official Edition, is hereby

amended by adding, after section 5, the following new section:

Section 5A.  (a) The governor may appoint a poet laureate of the commonwealth.  The poet laureate shall be appointed to serve for a term of office concurrent with the term of office of the governor or until a successor is appointed and qualified as provided in this section.

(b) The governor may, but is not required to, consult with any or all of the following before making such appointment:

(A) Literature professors and teachers.

(B) Public and private arts organizations that have a significant literary component.

(C) Professional poets.

(D) Boards and directors of literary organizations.

(E) Literary critics.

(F) Others deemed to have expertise in contemporary American poetry.

(c) In the event of a vacancy in the office of poet laureate, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, and the person so appointed shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified as provided in this section.

(d) The responsibilities of the poet laureate shall be to compose poems for or on behalf of the commonwealth as may be appropriate or requested by the governor or the general court, to provide advice to the governor on matters relating to poetry and literature as the Governor may request, and to promote poetry in the commonwealth.

(e)           The poet laureate shall be an honorary position and the person appointed shall receive no remuneration.  The person appointed to the position of poet laureate shall not be considered a state official or a state employee for such person's service in the position of poet laureate.