N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 225: Wood products development council

§ 225. Wood products development council. 1. There is hereby

established within the department a wood products development council.

Such council shall consist of the commissioner, the commissioners of

environmental conservation and economic development, or their designees,

and ten other persons to be appointed by the governor, including one

member on the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate;

one member on the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly; one

member on the recommendation of the minority leader of the senate; and

one member on the recommendation of the minority leader of the assembly.

Of the members so appointed, at least one member shall be a sawmill

owner, one member shall be a secondary wood products manufacturer, one

member shall be a logger, one member shall be a maple syrup producer,

one member shall be a commercial forest owner, one member shall be a

nonindustrial forest owner, one member shall be a representative of a

statewide forest industry organization, and one member shall be a

representative of a statewide forest landowners association. Members

shall be appointed for a term of three years and may serve until their

successors are chosen, provided, however, that of the members first

appointed, three shall serve for a term of one year, three shall serve

for a term of two years, and four shall serve for a term of three years.

The governor shall select a member of the council to serve as

chairperson. Council members shall not receive compensation for their

services, but may be paid their actual and necessary expenses incurred

in serving upon the council.

2. The council shall work with wood-using manufacturers to increase

the economic contributions and employment opportunities related to the

practice of forestry and manufacture of wood products in New York state.

The council shall give priority to increasing private investment in

working forests; maintaining access to working and family forests;

coordinating policy and permitting issues with state agencies, academia

and the private sector; working to improve public understanding of and

appreciation for forestry and forest products; and increasing export and

market opportunities for New York forest products. The council shall

deliver an annual report outlining its work and making recommendations

with regard to economic development and marketing initiatives and

research and development initiatives consistent with the purposes of the

council. The report shall be delivered to the governor, the speaker of

the assembly, the temporary president of the senate, the minority leader

of the assembly and the minority leader of the senate.

3. The department shall provide necessary support services to the

council, including, within funds available, the appointment of an

executive director to coordinate the work of the council.