N.Y. Public Authorities Law § 1266-d: Long Island rail road commuter's council

§ 1266-d. Long Island rail road commuter's council. 1. There is hereby

created the Long Island rail road commuter's council, to study,

investigate, monitor and make recommendations with respect to the

maintenance and operation of the Long Island rail road. Such council

shall study and investigate all aspects of the day to day operations of

such railroad, monitor its performance and recommend changes to improve

the efficiency of the operation thereof. Such council shall study and

make recommendations in regard to improving bicycle and pedestrian

access at bridges, stations and other facilities operated by the Long

Island Railroad and submit such recommendations to the metropolitan

transportation authority on or before June first, two thousand

twenty-two and every five years thereafter.

2. Such council shall consist of thirteen members who shall be

commuters who regularly use the transportation services of such

railroad, and who shall be residents of Nassau, Suffolk, Queens or

Brooklyn county. Members shall be appointed by the governor upon the

recommendation of the county executive of each such county, provided,

however, that such members shall be chosen from a list of ten names

submitted by each such county executive and provided further however

that no more than six members of such council shall be residents of

either such county. Provided, however, that one member shall be

appointed on the recommendation of the borough president of Queens and

one member shall be appointed on the recommendation of the borough

president of Brooklyn. Provided, however, that one member shall be

appointed who has a demonstrated expertise or interest in the promotion

and development of improved bicycle and pedestrian access at bridges,

stations and other facilities operated by the authority and its

affiliates and subsidiaries. Vacancies occurring in the membership of

the council shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments,

provided, however, that such vacancy shall be filled from a list of

three names submitted by each such county executive.

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

services but shall be reimbursed for their expenses actually and

necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.

4. The council may request and shall receive from any department,

division, board, bureau, commission, agency, public authority of the

state or any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as

will enable it properly to carry out its activities hereunder and

effectuate the purposes set forth herein.