N.Y. Public Authorities Law § 1266-e: Metro-North rail commuter council

§ 1266-e. Metro-North rail commuter council. 1. There is hereby

created the Metro-North rail commuter council to study, investigate,

monitor and make recommendations with respect to the maintenance and

operation of those portions of, if any, the Hudson, Harlem, New Haven,

Pascack Valley and Port Jervis commuter railroad lines remaining within

the metropolitan commuter transportation district. Such council shall

study and investigate all aspects of the day to day operation of such

railroad lines, monitor their 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

such railroad lines 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 twelve members and shall be commuters

who regularly use the transportation services of such railroad lines. At

least five of such members shall be residents of the county of

Westchester. Of the other seven members, at least one of such members

shall be a resident of each of the counties of Rockland, Putnam,

Dutchess, Orange and Bronx, provided that such county has not withdrawn

from the metropolitan commuter transportation district pursuant to

section twelve hundred seventy-nine-b of this title; provided further,

should only the county of Putnam remain in the metropolitan commuter

transportation district then membership on such council shall consist of

eight members, six of whom reside in the county of Westchester and two

of whom reside in the county of Putnam. Members shall be appointed by

the governor. In making such appointments the governor shall consult

with and solicit recommendations from local officials and to the extent

possible appoint members who represent the ridership of the several

commuter railroad lines. 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.

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

services but shall be reimbursed for their expenses actually and

necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties

hereunder from funds appropriated to the commissioner of transportation.

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

it requests and will enable it to properly carry out its activities for

the purposes set forth herein.