2023 New York Laws › EXC - Executive › Article 16 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission › 329 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission.

§ 329. Martin  Luther  King,  Jr. Commission. 1. A state commission is
hereby created to develop, promote,  coordinate  and  review  plans  and
activities statewide for the annual commemoration and celebration of the
birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in accordance with chapter fifty
of the laws of nineteen hundred eighty-five.
2.  The  commission  shall  develop  a  plan for the commemoration and
celebration of the third Monday in January of each  year,  the  official
state holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The commission shall,
among other things exercise the following powers and duties:
(a)   develop   and   submit  to  the  governor  and  the  legislature
recommendations for specific commemorative activities to  be  undertaken
by the state on the third Monday of January of each year celebrating the
birthdate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
(b)  coordinate  state  plans  and  activities  with federal plans and
activities for the commemoration and celebration of Dr. King's birthday;
(c) develop, with other agencies of the state, an interpretive program
which explores the historical, social,  political  and  cultural  themes
associated with the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
(d)   develop   interpretive   materials   and   publications  on  the
significance of Dr. King's work and develop a commemorative program  for
state employees, school children and the general public;
(e)  create  a  process to facilitate the implementation of the master
plan project and other recommendations made by the commission;
(f) prepare and provide to the general public advice,  assistance  and
information on the holiday activities recommended by the commission; and
(g)  make  other  studies, reports and recommendations to the governor
and the legislature as are necessary with respect to activities for  the
continued commemoration and celebration of Dr. King.
3.  The  commission  shall  consist  of  at least forty members, to be
appointed as follows: a fifteen member board of directors  appointed  by
the  governor; one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of
the temporary president of the senate, one of whom  shall  be  appointed
upon  the  recommendation  of  the minority leader of the senate, one of
whom shall be appointed upon the recommendations of the speaker  of  the
assembly,  and one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of
the minority leader of the assembly; the commissioners of the department
of labor, the department of education, the office  of  general  services
and the division of human rights and the chairman of the council for the
arts,  each  of  whom  may  appoint  a  deputy  to represent them on the
commission; and  the  remaining  general  members  to  be  appointed  by
executive order.
4.  The  members  of  the commission shall receive no compensation for
their services, however, those members who are  not  state  officers  or
employees  shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred
in the performance of their duties. The board of directors shall  select
a commission chairman from the members of such board.
5.  The commission shall make a report to the governor and legislature
of its findings, conclusions,  proposals  and  recommendations  for  the
observance  of  the  January  twentieth,  nineteen  hundred  eighty-six,
birthday commemoration within ninety days of the effective date of  this
section  and,  not later than December first, annually thereafter on its
findings, conclusions, proposals and recommendations  and  shall  submit
with  its  reports  such  legislative proposals as it deems necessary to
implement its proposals and recommendations.
6. All state agencies are hereby authorized and  directed  to  provide
assistance  and  available resources, as requested by the commission, in
order to effectuate the purposes of this section.