S.P. 259 - L.D. 754
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§5-A, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 264, §1, is amended to read:
State Poet Laureate Advisory Selection |
Sec. 2. 27 MRSA §421, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 264, §3, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
1. Appointment. During Maine Cultural Heritage Week as established in Title 1, section 118, the Governor shall appoint a poet to serve as State Poet Laureate, nominated by an advisory selection committee created in subsection 3-A.
2. Term. The State Poet Laureate is appointed for a 5-year term and may be reappointed for a 2nd term. An individual may serve as State Poet Laureate for no more than 2 consecutive terms, but may be reappointed after a break in service.
3-A. Advisory selection committee. The State Poet Laureate Advisory Selection Committee as established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 5-A, referred to in this subchapter as the "advisory selection committee," is created in accordance with the following provisions.
A. The Maine Arts Commission shall assemble an advisory selection committee of no more than 5 members with expertise in poetry. The Director of the Maine Arts Commission and the Director of the Maine State Library or their delegates shall cochair this advisory selection committee.
B. Five months prior to the expiration of the State Poet Laureate's tenure, the advisory selection committee shall advertise in the appropriate media for nominations of potential candidates. By March 1st of the year in which the term of a poet laureate is due to end, the advisory selection committee shall recommend one name to the Governor for appointment as the State Poet Laureate.
C. If a vacancy occurs within the term of the State Poet Laureate, the advisory selection committee shall select as soon as possible a nominee for appointment by the Governor to fill the remainder of the term.
D. Members of the advisory selection committee are not entitled to per diem or compensation for expenses.
4. Eligibility. The individual appointed State Poet Laureate must be a poet who is a resident of the State and must have published distinguished poetry.
Sec. 3. 27 MRSA §423 is enacted to read:
Upon the request of a State Poet Laureate, space must be made available at the State House complex for the public display of the State Poet Laureate's work.
Sec. 4. Transition provision. The State Poet Laureate on the effective date of this Act shall continue to serve out the one-year term for which the State Poet Laureate was appointed.
Effective September 18, 1999, unless otherwise indicated.
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