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