NY Hwy L § 88-A (2021)
2021 New York Laws HAY - Highway Article 4 - Improvement With Federal Aid 88-A - Tourism Signage Task Force.

§  88-a.  Tourism signage task force. 1. There is hereby established a tourism signage task force consisting of the following members:  (a) the commissioner or his or her designated representative from  the departments   of  transportation,  economic  development,  environmental conservation, agriculture and  markets  and  of  the  office  of  parks, recreation and historic preservation;  (b)  the  chairperson, or his or her designated representative, of the New York state thruway authority, the adirondack  park  agency  and  the tourism advisory council;  (c)  a  representative  of  travel and vacation related business and a representative  of  an  organization  of  automobile  users  and  owners appointed by the governor.   2.  The  chairman  of  the  task  force shall be the commissioner. The members of the task force may elect a vice chairman, secretary  or  such other  officers  as  it may deem necessary for such terms as its members shall determine.   3. Members of the board, except for those representing New York  state departments,  agencies,  authorities or councils, shall serve for a term of two years and may be reappointed in the same manner as  provided  for their initial appointment.   4.  A  majority  of  the  members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any  power or function of the task force. An act, determination, or decision of the members  present  and  entitled  to vote during the presence of a quorum shall be held to be the act,  determination  or  decision  of  the  task force.   5.  The  task  force  shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chairman. Additional meetings may be called by the chairman  subject  to the  giving  of  one  week's  notice,  and shall be called by him at the request of a majority of the members of the task force.   6. Members of the task force shall receive no compensation  for  their service  as  members.  Members  of  the  task  force  representing state agencies, departments, authorities or councils shall be compensated  for their  actual  and  necessary expenses by warrant of the comptroller and voucher of their department, agency, authority or  council.  Members  of the task force not representing a state department, agency, authority or council  shall,  under the warrant of the comptroller and voucher of the commissioner, or his duly designated agent, be allowed  their  necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of duty.   7. The task force shall:  (a) identify and define responsibilities with respect to the placement of  tourism  related  directional  and informational signage and promote inter-agency cooperation in order to encourage a uniform signage policy.  (b) advise the commissioner  on  the  development  of  a  uniform  and comprehensive   state  policy  on  tourism  related  signage  and  other traveller information services.  (c) assist in the development of  a  working  plan  for  the  funding, placement  and  maintenance  of  directional  and informational signs in accordance with an established policy on tourism signage.  (d) assist and advise on the preparation, publication and distribution of a handbook on tourism signage  that  will  identify  rules  and  laws governing tourism related signage, listing contact points for the public to  use  in soliciting information and to apply for placement of tourism related signage and identifying costs associated with  such  directional signage.  (e) advise and assist in the development of an adequate budget for the commissioner  to  implement  the plan for tourism signage and such other informational services as are necessary to guide the travelling public.  (f) advise the commissioner on the marking  of  motor  touring  trails designated by statute.  (g)  advise  the commissioner on scenic, environmental, traffic safety or other concerns which may supersede the implementation of the  tourism signage plan and policy.  (h)   review,  evaluate  and  advise  the  commissioner  on  conflicts associated with overlapping jurisdiction governing signage,  limitations on  the  placement  of signs, and establishing priority for placement of signage when demand exceeds the available space for directional signage, and such other issues which may come to the attention of the task force.  (i) evaluate and recommend to  the  commissioner  or  the  legislature initiatives to enhance or facilitate the development of a signage policy or plan.  (j)  report  on  or before January first of each year to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly,  and the chairman of the appropriate legislative committees on the activities of the task force with respect to its functions, powers and duties.   8.  The task force may request and shall receive from any subdivision, department,  board,  bureau,  commission,  office,  agency,   or   other instrumentality of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, such facilities,  assistance and data as it deems necessary and desirable for the proper execution of its functions, powers and duties hereunder.  Any expenses  of the task force, including compensation to such personnel as may be employed by the task  force,  shall  be  payable  out  of  moneys otherwise appropriated to the state department of transportation.