Section 329. Martin Luther King, Jr


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  • 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.