California Laureate of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): establishment of new position.

Existing law establishes the position of California Poet Laureate, who is appointed for a specified term by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate from a list of nominees provided by the Arts Council through a specified process, and who performs certain duties. This bill would establish the position of California Laureate for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, who would be appointed for a specified term by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate from a list of nominees provided by the California Council on Science and Technology. The bill would require the laureate to perform various duties, including undertaking a specific project. The bill, upon appropriation of funds by the Legislature, would authorize the payment of an appropriate stipend and payment for expenses incurred in fulfilling these duties as the laureate. The bill would also permit the laureate to fundraise for their own stipend. The bill would also authorize the solicitation and receipt of gifts, donations, bequests, grants of funds, or any other revenues from public or private sources and the expenditure of those moneys to increase the stipend of the laureate and for any other purpose necessary to implement this bill.