329. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. 1. A state commission is hereby created to develop, promote, coordinate and review plans and activities statewide for the annual commemoration and celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in accordance with chapter fifty of the laws of nineteen hundred eighty-five.
2. The commission shall develop a plan for the commemoration and celebration of the third Monday in January of each year, the official state holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The commission shall, among other things exercise the following powers and duties:
(a) develop and submit to the governor and the legislature recommendations for specific commemorative activities to be undertaken by the state on the third Monday of January of each year celebrating the birthdate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
(b) coordinate state plans and activities with federal plans and activities for the commemoration and celebration of Dr. King's birthday;
(c) develop, with other agencies of the state, an interpretive program which explores the historical, social, political and cultural themes associated with the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
(d) develop interpretive materials and publications on the significance of Dr. King's work and develop a commemorative program for state employees, school children and the general public;
(e) create a process to facilitate the implementation of the master plan project and other recommendations made by the commission;
(f) prepare and provide to the general public advice, assistance and information on the holiday activities recommended by the commission; and
(g) make other studies, reports and recommendations to the governor and the legislature as are necessary with respect to activities for the continued commemoration and celebration of Dr. King.
3. The commission shall consist of at least forty members, to be appointed as follows: a fifteen member board of directors appointed by the governor; one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate, one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the minority leader of the senate, one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendations of the speaker of the assembly, and one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the minority leader of the assembly; the commissioners of the department of labor, the department of education, the office of general services and the division of human rights and the chairman of the council for the arts, each of whom may appoint a deputy to represent them on the commission; and the remaining general members to be appointed by executive order.
4. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, however, those members who are not state officers or employees shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The board of directors shall select a commission chairman from the members of such board.
5. The commission shall make a report to the governor and legislature of its findings, conclusions, proposals and recommendations for the observance of the January twentieth, nineteen hundred eighty-six, birthday commemoration within ninety days of the effective date of this section and, not later than December first, annually thereafter on its findings, conclusions, proposals and recommendations and shall submit with its reports such legislative proposals as it deems necessary to implement its proposals and recommendations.
6. All state agencies are hereby authorized and directed to provide assistance and available resources, as requested by the commission, in order to effectuate the purposes of this section.
Last modified: February 3, 2019