N.Y. Economic Development Law § 170: New York state tourism advisory council established

§ 170. New York state tourism advisory council established. 1. There

is hereby established in the department the New York state tourism

advisory council which shall comprise eighteen members appointed by the

governor, three on the recommendation of the temporary president of the

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

three on the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly; and one on

the recommendation of the minority leader of the assembly. The members

of the council shall serve for terms of two years, provided, however,

that of the members first appointed, nine shall serve for terms of two

years and nine shall serve for terms of three years. The governor shall

designate the chairman from among the members of the council. The vice

chairman shall be elected from among the members of the council by the

members of such council, and shall represent the council in the absence

of the chairman at all official council functions. The chair of the

senate committee on tourism, recreation and sports development and the

chair of the assembly committee on tourism, arts and sports development

or their designated representatives, shall be non-voting, ex-officio

members of the council and shall receive no additional compensation for

their services on the advisory council.

2. In appointing the members of the council, the governor shall ensure

that such members include representatives of organizations of

tourism-related industries in the state including, but not limited to,

travel and vacation businesses, convention bureaus, cultural

institutions, theme parks and attractions, hotels and motels,

restaurants, water-based recreation businesses, campgrounds, ski

facilities, wineries, halls of fame, travel agents and transportation

companies.

3. The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their

services but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses

incurred in the performance of their duties as council members.

4. The council shall meet at least five times a year including no less

than three times between January first and May thirty-first, at the call

of the commissioner or the chairman of the council.

5. Unless a member has been excused from attendance at such meetings

by the chairman or vice-chairman upon good cause being shown, any member

who fails to attend three consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have

resigned. Any vacancy on the council shall be filled for the remaining

term of the individual replaced. The appointment to fill such vacancy

shall be made in the same manner as the original appointment was made.

6. The department shall provide necessary technical and staff

assistance to the council. Any department, division, board, bureau,

commission, authority or agency of the state, as such shall determine

appropriate, is authorized to provide such information, cooperation, or

assistance as may be requested by the council to carry out the purposes

of this article.