N.Y. Economic Development Law § 120: Advisory board; creation

§ 120. Advisory board; creation. 1. There is hereby created in the

division of minority and women's business development a minority and

women-owned business enterprise advisory board. The board shall consist

of twelve members to be appointed by the governor. The governor shall

designate a chairperson from the members of the advisory board, to serve

as such at the pleasure of the governor. In appointing the members of

the advisory board the governor shall ensure that six of the members are

individuals who are currently involved in the ownership and/or operation

of a minority or women-owned business enterprise or who have extensive

experience in minority and women-owned business enterprise ownership

and/or operation, and that at least two of the members are individuals

representing banking, community development financial, insurance or

surety bonding institutions.

2. All members of the advisory board shall serve for terms of three

years, such terms to commence on April first, and expire on March

thirty-first; provided, however, that of the six members first appointed

two shall be appointed for one-year terms expiring on March

thirty-first, nineteen hundred ninety-three, two shall be appointed for

two-year terms expiring on March thirty-first, nineteen hundred

ninety-four, and two shall be appointed for three year terms expiring on

March thirty-first, nineteen hundred ninety-five; and that four

additional members, one on the recommendation of the temporary president

of the senate, one on the recommendation of the minority leader of the

senate, one on the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly and one

on the recommendation of the minority leader of the assembly shall be

appointed for three year terms expiring on March thirty-first, nineteen

hundred ninety-five and every three years thereafter.

3. The advisory board shall meet regularly at least one time in each

year. Special meetings may be called by its chairperson and shall be

called by the chairperson at the request of the director of the division

of minority and women's business development.

4. No member of the advisory board shall be disqualified from holding

any other public office or employment, nor forfeit any such office or

employment by reason of appointment hereunder, notwithstanding the

provisions of any general, special or local law, ordinance or city

charter.

5. The members of the advisory board shall receive no compensation for

their services but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses

incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.

6. The board shall have the power and duty to:

(a) advise the commissioner in carrying out the functions, powers and

duties of the division, as set forth in this article;

(b) advise the commissioner, the governor, and the legislature

concerning recommended legislation necessary to foster and promote the

prosperity, expansion and development of minority and women-owned

business enterprises within the state;

(c) advise the commissioner, the governor, and the legislature

concerning existing laws, rules, regulations and practices of state

agencies which are counter-productive or inimical to the prosperity,

expansion and development of minority and women-owned business

enterprises within the state;

(d) advise the commissioner, the governor, and the legislature

concerning the development of inter-governmental cooperation among

agencies of the federal, state and local governments and cooperation

between private industry and government so as to assure the optimum

development of minority and women-owned business enterprises; and

(e) serve as a catalyst for creating and maintaining a minority and

women-owned business enterprise consciousness in New York state.

(f) establish procedures for making annual awards to be known as "New

York State Minority and Women-Owned Business Excelsior Awards". These

non-monetary awards shall be given in recognition of unusual performance

by persons, firms and organizations which are engaged in the operation

of a New York state minority and women-owned business enterprise or

which are engaged in activities to assist minority and women-owned

business enterprises in the state. The board may nominate up to five

award winners annually and forward such names to the governor for

consideration. The governor may designate award winners from these

nominees. Current members of the advisory board are not eligible as

nominees.

7. The commissioner shall provide the board with such staff assistance

and support services as necessary for the board to perform the functions

required of it under this section.