NY Legis L § 83-L (2021)
2021 New York Laws LEG - Legislative Article 5-A - Legislative Commissions 83-L - Legislative Commission on Water Resource Needs of New York State and Long Island.

* § 83-l. Legislative  commission  on water resource needs of New York   state and Long Island. 1. The legislature hereby finds and declares that   the state has the sovereign power to  regulate  and  control  the  water   resources  of  this  state and an adequate and suitable water supply for   water  supply,  domestic,  municipal,   industrial,   agricultural   and   commercial  uses,  power,  irrigation,  transportation, fire protection,   sewage and water assimilation, the growth of the forest, maintenance  of   fish and wildlife, recreational enjoyment and other uses is essential to   the  health,  safety  and  welfare of the people and economic growth and   prosperity of the state.2. A legislative commission is hereby established: (a) to  investigate   and evaluate said reports; (b) to make recommendations for provisions to   be  made  for the regulation and supervision of activities that deplete,   defile, damage or otherwise adversely affect the waters of the state and   the  land  resources  associated  therewith;  (c)  to  determine   where   uncontaminated  or  virgin  sources of water exist; and (d) to recommend   legislative or administrative actions that are required to preserve  and   protect such resources for future use.3.  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.  Any  vacancy that occurs in the commission shall be filled in   the same manner in which the original appointment was made.  Co-chairmen   of  the commission shall be designated by the temporary president of the   senate and the speaker of the assembly respectively. 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.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 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  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.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  set  forth   in this section.* NB Repealed June 30, 2022