Bill Text: NJ A3521 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes creation of "The Song Book of New Jersey."
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-07-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [A3521 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A3521-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman LINDA STENDER
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes creation of "The Song Book of New Jersey."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the creation of an official electronic compilation of songs known as "The Song Book of New Jersey" and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds ands declares that:
a. New Jersey has an extensive and rich history of contributions to music by talented individuals who have called this State their home, and the State has produced many musical icons;
b. The search for an official State song has been ongoing for several decades, with contests and reviews conducted and many pieces of legislation introduced, and, yet, there has been no designation of an official State song;
c. It may now be concluded that the breadth of musical talent in New Jersey is so vast and varied it is impossible to limit the State to a single official song;
d. Songs created by musicians and artists from New Jersey that extol the artistic, historical, cultural, environmental, or economic abundance in New Jersey should be compiled as a tribute and as a public resource; and
e. Such a compilation may be called "The Song Book of New Jersey" and may be maintained permanently for the educational and personal use, enjoyment, and entertainment of the citizens of New Jersey and the general public.
2. a. A compilation of songs to be known as "The Song Book of New Jersey" shall be created and maintained by the Secretary of State in an electronic format and made available to the general public in a conspicuous location on the official Internet site of the State of New Jersey.
b. The compilation shall contain the lyrics, music, and a performance recording of:
(1) each song that has been named in legislation introduced in any session of the New Jersey Legislature for the purpose of designating an official State song;
(2) each song that has been selected as a winner or finalist in an official State competition for an official State song, or that has been recommended for designation as an official State song by a panel convened, or after a review conducted, by a State official; and
(3) each song that has been approved for inclusion in the compilation by the commission established pursuant to section 3 of this act, P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).
3. a. Any person may nominate a song for inclusion in the "The Song Book of New Jersey." The process for nominating a song shall be specified by the Secretary of State and posted on the Internet site containing "The Song Book of New Jersey." A nomination shall include the name, lyrics, and music of the song, a performance recording of the song, and a petition signed by citizens of this State over the age of 18 years supporting the nomination. The Secretary of State shall determine what number of signatures in support of a nomination shall be deemed significant and sufficient for a nomination to be considered by the commission established in subsection b. of this section.
b. The Secretary of State shall create a commission to review and approve any song nominated for the inclusion in "The Song Book of New Jersey" and referred to the commission by the Secretary.
The commission shall be composed of five members as follows:
(1) two members who shall have experience in music, as a teacher or band or orchestra leader, or who shall have academic degrees in musicology, music theory, or musical composition;
(2) two members who shall be current or former performing singers, musicians, or song writers; and
(3) one member who shall be a representative of the arts, history, and culture community of the State.
c. The members of the commission shall be appointed by the Secretary of State and shall serve for a term of five years. A member may be appointed to serve only two consecutive terms.
d. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duty, subject to the availability of funds appropriated or made available for that purpose.
e. The commission shall convene at the call of the Secretary of State when the Secretary refers a nomination to the commission for its consideration.
f. A song eligible for nomination and for consideration and approval by the commission shall be a song that is created, developed, composed, or written by a musician or artist who is or was a long-term resident of the State of New Jersey and that extols the artistic, historical, cultural, environmental, or economic abundance in New Jersey.
4. a. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall ensure, prior to its inclusion, that the inclusion of each song in the compilation pursuant to section 2 of this act, P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature this bill), complies with all copyright laws.
b. The Secretary of State may adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
5. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill provides for the creation of an official compilation of songs to be known as "The Song Book of New Jersey." The compilation will be created and maintained by the Secretary of State in an electronic format and made available to the general public in a conspicuous location on the official Internet site of the State of New Jersey.
Given New Jersey's rich heritage in music, it is appropriate to recognize the many songs that honor and celebrate New Jersey. This compilation will be an alternative to the designation of one official State song. The compilation will include the lyrics, music, and a performance recording of each song so that the public may access each song for educational and personal use, enjoyment and entertainment.
The compilation will contain the lyrics, music, and a performance recording of:
(1) each song that has been named in legislation introduced in any session of the New Jersey Legislature for the purpose of designating an official State song;
(2) each song that has been selected as a winner or finalist in an official State competition for an official State song, or that has been recommended for designation as an official State song by a panel convened, or after a review conducted, by a State official; and
(3) each song that has been approved for inclusion in the compilation by the commission established by this bill.
In addition, the bill will permit any person to nominate a song for inclusion in the "The Song Book of New Jersey." The process for nominating a song will be specified by the Secretary of State and posted on the Internet site containing "The Song Book of New Jersey." Such a nomination must include the name, lyrics, and music of the song, a performance recording of the song, and a petition signed by citizens of this State over the age of 18 years supporting the nomination. The Secretary of State will determine what number of signatures in support of a nomination will be deemed significant and sufficient for a nomination to be considered. Nominated songs would be considered by a commission created by the secretary to review and approve a nominated song. The commission would be composed of five members as follows:
(1) two members with experience in music, as a teacher or band or orchestra leader, or with academic degrees in musicology, music theory, or musical composition;
(2) two members who are current or former performing singers, musicians, or song writers; and
(3) one member who is a representative of the arts, history, and culture community of the State.
A song eligible for nomination and for consideration and approval by the commission must be a song that is created, developed, composed, or written by a musician or artist who is or was a long-term resident of the State of New Jersey and that extols the artistic, historical, cultural, environmental, or economic abundance in New Jersey.
The Secretary of State, in consultation with Attorney General, must ensure that the inclusion of any song in the compilation complies with all copyright laws and does not violate any right or privilege of an individual.
The sponsor hopes that "The Song Book of New Jersey" will provide recognition to the many artists and songs that have contributed to New Jersey's arts, culture, and history, and will appropriately represent these artists and songs associated with this State.
