N.Y. Education Law § 233-b: New York state freedom trail commission

§ 233-b. New York state freedom trail commission. 1. a. There is

hereby established within the department the New York state freedom

trail commission. The commission shall consist of twelve members, to be

appointed as follows: three members to be appointed by the governor,

three members to be appointed by the board of regents, two members to be

appointed by the temporary president of the senate, one member to be

appointed by the minority leader of the senate, two members to be

appointed by the speaker of the assembly, and one member to be appointed

by the minority leader of the assembly. Such members shall be

representative of academic or public historians, corporations,

foundations, historical societies, civic organizations, and religious

denominations. In addition, the following state officers, or their

designees, shall serve as members of the commission: the commissioner of

education, the head of the state museum, the head of the state archives,

the head of the office of state history, the commissioner of economic

development, the head of the state tourism advisory council and the

commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation.

b. The commission shall begin functioning upon the appointment of a

majority of its members. The chair of the commission shall be chosen by

the members of the commission for a three year term. Commission members,

other than ex officio members, shall serve for terms of five years and

vacancies shall be appointed in the same manner as provided for original

appointments.

c. The department and the office of parks, recreation and historic

preservation may provide the commission with such staff, equipment, and

facilities as it may need.

2. As part of its responsibilities the commission shall be charged

with reviewing and assisting in the implementation of a master plan in

conjunction with federal authorities; sponsoring commemorations,

linkages, seminars and public forum; assisting, encouraging, and

promoting the making of applications for inclusion on the national or

state registers of historic places by the parties eligible to do so and

the inclusion of such places therein; and developing partnerships and

seeking private and public funds to carry out activities to protect,

preserve, and promote the important legacy and lessons of the freedom

trail and the underground railroad in New York state.

3. The commission shall report annually to the governor, the

legislature, and the board of regents for a period of five years from

the date of establishment of the commission, but beginning no later than

January first, nineteen hundred ninety-nine.