N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 398-g: Powers of the commissioner

§ 398-g. Powers of the commissioner. 1. In addition to the powers and

duties specified elsewhere in this article, the commissioner, upon any

complaint or upon his own initiative, shall have the power to make and

conduct such investigations as he deems proper to effectuate the

purposes of this article. The commissioner may establish, by rule or

regulation, criteria upon which the necessity for investigation of

complaints shall be determined. Such criteria may include but not be

limited to the alleged financial loss to the complainant, the indication

of a recurring incidence of fraud or deceptive practices, or the

essential nature of the service provided to the safe operation of the

vehicle. The commissioner shall also have the power to assist in the

settlement of disputes between complainants and registrants. In any such

case in which a settlement is reached, a report of the facts, shall be

included in the registrant's record. The provisions of section three

hundred ninety-eight-f relating to the required attendance of

registrants and the power to subpoena shall apply to any investigation

conducted pursuant to this section.

2. The commissioner shall prescribe such rules and regulations as he

shall deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article

including but not limited to, standards for personnel, equipment and

facilities.