N.Y. Legislative Law § 83-e: Legislative commission on science and technology

* § 83-e. Legislative commission on science and technology. 1. The

legislature hereby finds that the number and variety of issues under

consideration which require a detailed scientific and technological

knowledge is growing larger each year. Radioactive waste, hazardous

materials, the development and application of new technologies,

pesticide management and a wide spectrum of energy and

environmentally-related issues are only a few examples of the complex

scientifically-based problems currently confronting the legislature.

2. A legislative commission on science and technology is hereby

created to study technical and scientific changes that are occurring or

likely to occur so that the opportunities for economic development made

possible by such changes and the other consequences of such changes may

be anticipated and be made known to the legislature in such a way as to

aid the legislature in the formulation and development of state policy

including the promotion of identifiable growth industries.

3. The commission shall provide the legislature with early indications

of probable beneficial and adverse impacts of pending or proposed

applications of technology.

4. The commission shall upon the request of the chairman of any

standing committee of either house, or any joint committee or

commission, review any bill which relates to a subject with scientific

or technical implications.

5. The 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 so appointed, a chairman and vice

chairman shall be designated by the joint action of the temporary

president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly. Any vacancy

that occurs in 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.

6. An advisory board is hereby established to provide technical

support and policy making assistance to the commission. The board shall

be made up of six members with knowledge and current experience in any

pertinent field of science and/or technology and who belong to and are

active in several professional scientific societies. The members shall

be appointed as follows: three members shall be appointed by the

temporary president of the senate; and three members shall be appointed

by the speaker of the assembly. From among the members so appointed, a

chairman and vice chairman shall be elected. Any vacancy that occurs in

the advisory board shall be filled in the same manner in which the

original appointment was made.

7. 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 compensation within the amount appropriated therefor. 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 and advisory board shall receive no compensation for

their services, except as provided pursuant to section five-a of this

chapter, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses

incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.

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

the legislature for all purposes.

9. 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.

10. 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 set forth

in this section.

* NB Repealed June 30, 2027