Section 169-D. Apiary industry advisory committee

1.  There is hereby
  established within the department an apiary industry advisory  committee
  which  shall  consist of no more than fifteen members to be appointed by
  the commissioner on the basis of their experience and expertise  in  the
  apiary industry. Of the members so appointed, at least two members shall
  represent  each  of the three sectors of the apiary industry, commercial
  beekeepers, part-time beekeepers and hobbyist beekeepers; at  least  one
  member  shall  represent  the horticulture or vegetable industry and one
  member shall be an  officer  or  employee  of  the  Cornell  cooperative
  extension service.  Members shall be appointed for a term of three years
  and  may serve until their successors are chosen provided, however, that
  of the members first appointed, five shall serve for a term of one year,
  five shall serve for a term of two years, and five  shall  serve  for  a
  term  of  three years. Members shall serve without salary. A chairperson
  shall be elected by a majority vote of members of the committee.
    2. The duties and responsibilities of  the  apiary  industry  advisory
  committee  shall  include providing advice, comments and recommendations
  to the commissioner in regard to state government  plans,  policies  and
  programs  affecting  the  apiary  industry and such other matters as the
  commissioner may request in relation to this article.
    3. The advisory committee shall meet at least once annually  at  times
  and places set by the commissioner.
    4.   The   commissioner  may  ask  other  individuals  to  attend  the
  committee's meetings or work with it on an occasional or regular basis.