(1) The honorary position of State Poet Laureate is created within the Department of State.

(2) The Florida Council on Arts and Culture, in accordance with procedures adopted by the department, shall solicit and accept nominations for appointment as the State Poet Laureate. The council shall solicit nominations from a broad array of literary sources and members of the public.

(a) The council shall recommend at least five nominees to the Secretary of State, each of whom must be:

1. A permanent resident of this state;

2. A public literary poet who has significant standing inside and outside the state; and

3. Willing and physically able to perform the duties of the State Poet Laureate as prescribed by the department, which may include, but are not limited to, engaging in outreach and mentoring for the benefit of schools and communities throughout the state and performing readings of his or her own poetry, as requested.

(b) From among the nominees recommended by the council, the Secretary of State shall submit three nominees to the Governor, who shall appoint one nominee as the State Poet Laureate.

(3) The State Poet Laureate shall serve a term of 4 years. A vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

(4) Each of the state’s poets laureate appointed before July 1, 2014, and each State Poet Laureate appointed under this section shall be designated a State Poet Laureate Emeritus or State Poet Laureate Emerita in recognition of his or her service to the state upon the appointment of his or her successor.

(5) The State Poet Laureate and each State Poet Laureate Emeritus or State Poet Laureate Emerita shall serve without compensation.

(6) The department may adopt rules to administer this section.

History.—s. 2, ch. 2014-203.