Committee approves lyric change for state song submission from Poet Laureate

The committee resumed consideration of H 5168, a proposal tied to a lyric change submitted by Poet Laureate Mister Davis. Committee members reviewed the proposed language and discussed whether a record label would need to approve lyric changes for released recordings.

The chair summarized the submission and how a record label could distribute a new version: "If these lyrics are approved the song becomes one of the state songs he can release a new version with these lyrics on every streaming platform YouTube etcetera." Members sought and received clarification that the record label did not have to separately approve the lyric change for the General Assembly's action to authorize a new "official" version.

A roll-call vote followed. The clerk announced: "By vote, 14 I, 1 nay, 1 abstain, and 2 absent. The bill is amended." Committee members expressed appreciation for the poet's work and agreed to move the item forward to the floor.