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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 473 FILED ON: 1/16/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2193
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
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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 to create the title of musician laureate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and NorfolkRebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and Middlesex1/24/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 473 FILED ON: 1/16/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2193
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2193) of Patrick M. O'Connor
and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to create the title of musician laureate of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2250 OF 2021-2022.]
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 to create the title of musician laureate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 38, the
2following section:-
3 Section XX. (a) Biennially, on or before March 31, the governor may appoint a Musician
4Laureate for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from a list of nominees submitted by the
5Musician Laureate Nominating Committee pursuant to subsection (b). The Musician Laureate
6may choose to write and/or perform music to commemorate important events, such as
7ceremonial occasions, celebrations, and state anniversaries as appropriate. The individual may
8also act as the governor's adviser in musical matters. The Musician Laureate shall also represent
9the state's musical legacy. The Musician Laureate shall be appointed to serve for a term of 2
10years or until a successor is appointed and qualified as provided in this section. There shall be no 2 of 2
11restriction on reappointment. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Musician Laureate, the
12vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
13 (b) There shall be a Musician Laureate Nominating Committee consisting of the
14following 5 members: the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or a designee; the Senate
15President, or a designee; and 3 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a
16member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Members of the
17Musician Laureate Nominating Committee shall serve without compensation.
18 (c) The Musician Laureate Nominating Committee shall advertise and receive
19nominations submitted by citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the selection of
20the Musician Laureate. Nominees shall be residents of the Commonwealth and shall provide
21biographical and professional information. The Musician Laureate Nominating Committee shall
22review all nominations and select 3 nominees on the basis of their overall excellence and their
23dedicated commitment to the arts in Massachusetts. Nominees should represent the state's
24diverse musical community. The Musician Laureate Nominating Committee shall submit the 3
25nominees to the governor biennially on or before February 1.
26 (d) The Musician Laureate shall be an honorary position and the person appointed shall
27receive no monetary remuneration from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The person
28appointed to the position of Musician Laureate shall not be considered a state official or a state
29employee for such person's service in the position of Musician Laureate.