New York Consolidated Laws, Legislative Law - LEG § 83-k. Legislative commission on toxic substances and hazardous wastes

2. A legislative commission on toxic substances and hazardous wastes is hereby established to: (a) examine the adequacy and enforcement of state programs relating to all aspects of the prevention, control, disposal and clean up of toxic substances and hazardous wastes; (b) evaluate the quantity and types of toxic substances and hazardous wastes being generated in the state; (c) assess efforts to recycle, reuse and otherwise reduce the quantity of toxic substances and hazardous wastes requiring disposal; (d) examine emerging technologies for the safe management and disposal of toxic substances and hazardous wastes; (e) examine legal, regulatory and economic elements as they may relate to the development, testing and adaptation of such technologies; (f) address the feasibility of a joint public and private cooperative research and development effort on new methods for reducing the generation of toxic substances and for managing the disposal of hazardous wastes; (g) monitor the state's program to clean up existing hazardous waste disposal sites, estimate the continuing resources needed to sustain the effort and assess the feasibility and impact on the state, its municipalities and the private sector of any recommended means of funding continuing program needs; and (h) make recommendations to the legislature for such actions which the commission may determine are necessary to provide for any and all aspects of the state's program to reduce the generation of toxic substances, clean up existing hazardous waste sites and assure the safe, future disposal of toxic substances and hazardous wastes.

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. 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.

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 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 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.