BILL REQ. #:  S-0688.2 



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SENATE BILL 5440
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State of Washington58th Legislature2003 Regular Session

By Senators Jacobsen and Kline

Read first time 01/24/2003.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.



     AN ACT Relating to the state poet laureate; adding a new section to chapter 43.46 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature wishes to recognize: The value of poetry and the contribution Washington poets make to the culture of our state; that poetry is a literary form respected and growing throughout all segments of Washington's population; that awareness and appreciation of poetry encourages increased literacy and advanced communication skills; and that Washington state has produced many excellent and nationally recognized poets.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.46 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The state of Washington shall create the position of state poet laureate. The poet laureate shall engage in activities to promote and encourage poetry within the state, including but not limited to a minimum of twenty readings, workshops, lectures, and/or presentations for Washington educational institutions and communities in geographically diverse areas over a two-year term.
     (2) Selection of a poet laureate shall be made by a committee appointed by the Washington commission for the humanities or successor agency and may include representatives of the Washington state library, education community, Washington state arts commission, Washington commission for the humanities, publishing, and the community of Washington poets, to be coordinated by the Washington commission for the humanities or successor agency.
     (3) The poet laureate must be a published poet, resident of Washington state, active in the poetry community, and willing and able to promote poetry in the state of Washington throughout the two-year term.
     (4) The poet laureate may not serve more than two consecutive two-year terms. Administration of the poet laureate program shall be by the Washington commission for the humanities or successor agency.

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