N.Y. Legislative Law § 83-a: Legislative commission on critical transportation choices

* § 83-a. Legislative commission on critical transportation choices.

1. (a) The legislature hereby finds and declares that the economic and

social well-being of the people of the state are inextricably linked to

the quality of the state's transportation services and that the delivery

of that service has grown increasingly expensive for governmental

agencies at all levels as well as for individuals and families in the

state.

(b) Recent surveys of New York's transportation system indicate that

portions of said system are badly in need of rehabilitation and

improvement and such surveys warn that the transportation infrastructure

may begin to deteriorate rapidly unless action is taken quickly to

prevent such deterioration. The transportation systems serving the

regions of the state can be characterized as contributing to or having

facilitated sprawling and inefficient land use patterns and as a result

are also subject to severe dislocations or disruptions of fuel supplies

in the future, which will affect appreciably the standard of living of

all New York residents and call into question the ability to sustain the

system in light of relatively new energy and environmental policy goals.

2. There is hereby created a legislative commission to be known as the

legislative commission on critical transportation choices. Such

commission shall consist of ten members to be appointed as follows:

three members of the senate shall be appointed by the temporary

president of the senate; three members of the assembly shall be

appointed by the speaker of the assembly; two members of the senate

shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and two members

of the assembly shall be appointed by the minority leader of the

assembly. From among the members as appointed, a chairman and vice

chairman shall be appointed jointly by the temporary president of the

senate and the speaker of the assembly. Any vacancy that occurs in the

chairmanship, vice chairmanship or other membership of the commission

shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was

made. No member, officer, or employee of the commission shall be

disqualified from holding any other public office or employment, nor

shall he forfeit any such office or employment by reason of his

appointment hereunder, notwithstanding the provisions of any general,

special, or local law, ordinance, or city charter.

3. The commission hereby created shall have the power to: (a)

recommend a statewide plan of action to meet critical transportation

needs within the state; (b) assess the transportation needs of

localities with respect to various modes of moving people and goods and

their energy efficiency and environmental sustainability thereof; (c)

evaluate probable impact of energy shortages on the ability to sustain

the various modes of transportation; (d) identify and study long-term

transportation needs under attenuated energy supplies and new

environmental policy objectives; (e) assess impact of federal and state

regulations on transportation systems; (f) evaluate the impact of public

projects on existing transportation networks; (g) study and assess the

future of commercial and private air service and make recommendations

for the preservation and improvement of such service; (h) undertake

research and develop proposals in connection with the development of

ports, free trade zones, transportation hubs and facilities related

thereto; (i) undertake research and develop proposals in connection with

safety and safety related programs in the various transportation modes;

(j) evaluate the short-term and long-term capital needs and operating

assistance requirements of the state's public transit systems; (k)

identify and study potential revenue sources for the dedicated highway

and bridge trust fund; (l) cooperate with local, state and federal

officials in the analysis of possible changes in rules, regulations and

laws relating to transportation; (m) assess the relationship between

transportation, the environment and long term, sustainable economic

development; (n) research and evaluate proposals related to the federal,

state and local government organizational environment with respect to

planning, design and construction of transportation programs, projects

and services; and (o) evaluate the transportation system in light of the

current social, economic and environmental regulatory climate including

but not limited to energy efficiency, air quality, quality communities

or smart growth objectives, environmental justice, sustainability and

costs per household.

4. The commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel as

it may deem necessary for the performance of the commission's functions

and fix their compensation within the amount appropriated therefore. The

commission may hold public and private hearings and otherwise have all

of the powers of a legislative committee under this chapter. The members

of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services but

shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the

performance of their duties hereunder.

5. Employees of the commission shall be considered to be employees of

the legislature for all purposes.

6. The commission may request and shall receive from any subdivision,

department, board, bureau, commission, office, agency or other

instrumentality of the state or of any political subdivision thereof,

such facilities, assistance and data as it deems necessary or desirable

for the proper execution of its powers and duties.

7. The commission is hereby authorized and empowered to make and sign

any agreements, and to do and perform any acts that may be necessary,

desirable or proper to carry out the purposes and objectives of this

section.

* NB Repealed June 30, 2027