NY Legis L § 83-A (2021)
2021 New York Laws LEG - Legislative Article 5-A - Legislative Commissions 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, 2022