Bill > H3590

This bill establishes a formal process for appointing a poet laureate for Massachusetts, creating a structured approach to recognize and promote poetry in the state. The bill creates a poet laureate nominating committee composed of 5 members, including representatives from the state legislature, two gubernatorial appointees, and the executive director of the Massachusetts Center for the Book. Every two years, this committee will advertise for nominations, review candidates, and select three nominees to submit to the governor by February 1st. The governor will then appoint a poet laureate by March 31st for a two-year term. The selected poet laureate's primary responsibility will be to raise awareness and appreciation of poetry among Massachusetts residents, with a special focus on school children. The bill also allows for the poet laureate to receive compensation through the Massachusetts Center for the Book, which can establish a stipend and cover expenses related to the role, subject to available funding. If a vacancy occurs in the poet laureate position, it will be filled using the same nomination and appointment process as the original selection.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3590