New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 5 - Executive Orders (George E. Pataki) › Section 5.45 - Executive order no. 45: establishing the position of state director of consumer protection

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
WHEREAS, the goal of all consumer agencies, groups and
					 organizations is to protect the interests of consumers;
WHEREAS, protecting the consumers of this State effectively
					 and efficiently depends in large measure upon coordination among various
					 Federal, State and local agencies and other public and private
					 organizations;
WHEREAS, proper coordination will ensure that consumer
					 protection resources are fully maximized so as to promote and encourage the
					 protection of the legitimate interests of consumers within New York State;
					 and
WHEREAS, to foster such an effort, it is desirable that one
					 person be designated to assume primary responsibility and accountability for
					 coordination of our State's consumer protection system;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State
					 of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
					 Laws of the State of New York, do hereby establish the position of State
					 Director of Consumer Protection.
I.
				  Powers and Responsibilities
The State Director of Consumer Protection shall be the
					 Executive Director of the State Consumer Protection Board and shall assume all
					 the powers and duties of the Executive Director as set forth in sections 552 and 553  of the Executive Law. In addition, subject to such limitations set
					 forth in subdivision 3 of section 553  of the Executive Law as are applicable,
					 the State Director shall:
1. Inquire
				  into any alleged failure of a State officer or agency to comply with the
				  consumer protection laws, rules and regulations of this State;
2. Report to the Governor the failure of any
				  State agency to comply with the consumer protection laws, rules and regulations
				  of this State;
3. Take steps to
				  facilitate greater access by consumers to State government;
4. Act as the Governor's chief representative
				  in connection with matters relating to the State's consumer protection
				  system;
5. Advise the Governor on
				  consumer protection matters, including the impact on consumers of matters
				  pending before State agencies, and the effectiveness of services to consumers
				  provided by any State agency;
6.
				  Exercise and perform such other functions, powers and duties as may be deemed
				  appropriate to protect and promote the interests of consumers as directed by
				  the Governor;
7. Assume primary
				  responsibility for the coordination of consumer protection information systems
				  in New York State;
8. Identify
				  statewide consumer protection objectives and goals, and develop and recommend a
				  comprehensive protection strategy to achieve those objectives and
				  goals;
9. Review and evaluate
				  existing consumer protection policies and programs and recommend new policies
				  and programs to improve the quality of consumer protection initiatives in this
				  State;
10. Act as an advocate
				  before other state and Federal entities by:
(a) representing the interests of consumers
				  before State and Federal legislative bodies, commissions, departments, agencies
				  and other appropriate governmental units;
(b) recommending and proposing the enactment
				  of such legislation as is necessary to protect and promote the interests of
				  consumers; and
(c) representing the
				  interests of consumers in proceedings of Federal, State and local
				  administrative and regulatory agencies where the State Director deems the
				  proceeding to affect the interests of consumers;
11. Provide technical assistance to local
				  governments, non-profit groups and other organizations in the development of
				  consumer initiatives and activities;
12. Encourage business and industry to
				  maintain high standards of honesty, fair business practices, and public
				  responsibility in the production, promotion and sale of consumer goods and
				  services;
13. Recommend ways to
				  combat deceptive trade practices, unconscionable trade practices and other
				  practices adversely affecting consumers interests; and
14. Coordinate programmatic and fiscal
				  initiatives for State consumer protection functions.