Section 224-B. Cooperative extension area and statewide program specialist

1.  Agreements  to  employ  and   manage   area   program   specialists.
  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  subdivision  eight  of section two
  hundred twenty-four of this article,  two  or  more  county  cooperative
  extension  associations may enter into a separate agreement with Cornell
  university to employ area program  specialists.    Examples  of  program
  areas   which   could  be  funded  and  delivered  through  the  Cornell
  cooperative extension system could include but not be limited  to  water
  quality, solid waste management, commercial and alternative agricultural
  technologies  integrated  pest  management,  nutrition, diet and health,
  community and rural development, housing availability and affordability,
  family and economic well being, and the complex  problems  of  youth  at
  risk.  Such annual agreements shall identify the titles of the positions
  to be supported and the  program  areas  for  which  they  will  provide
  leadership.  Standards  for  the employment of area program specialists,
  including salaries, shall be established by Cornell university,  through
  the  director  of  extension  in  consultation  with  county cooperative
  extension associations, apart  from  standards  for  the  employment  of
  professional  staff  under  section  two  hundred  twenty-four  of  this
  article. Area program specialists shall,  for  administrative  purposes,
  receive  salary  payments through the Cornell university payroll and for
  such purposes shall be deemed employees of Cornell university; provided,
  however, that their program activities shall  be  directed  and  managed
  jointly  by  the participating associations and Cornell university under
  the  terms  of  the  annual  memorandum  of  agreement.   Area   program
  specialists  shall  be  eligible  to  receive  the same state or federal
  fringe benefits  as  professional  staff  employed  by  the  cooperative
  extension   associations   under   the  terms  of  section  two  hundred
  twenty-four of this article.
    2. Funding for area program  specialists.  The  salaries  and  program
  expenses of area program specialists shall be supported jointly by state
  appropriations   and/or   other   sources   and  by  contributions  from
  participating  cooperative  extension  associations.   The   state   may
  appropriate from funds available in the aid to localities account of the
  general fund monies to support the programs and work of area specialists
  under  agreements  with  two or more cooperative extension associations.
  Such funds shall be  appropriated  separately  from  funds  appropriated
  under  section  two hundred twenty-four of this article and administered
  by the director of extension. State appropriations expended  to  support
  area  program  specialists  must  be  matched  by  funds  provided  from
  non-state sources  under  the  annual  agreement  by  the  participating
  cooperative extension associations.
    3.  A  cooperative  extension  association  participating  in  an area
  program  specialist  agreement  shall  continue  to  be  a   subordinate
  governmental  agency  and  neither the county nor Cornell university nor
  any member, officer or director of the association shall  be  liable  in
  damages  for  any  injury  to  person or property in connection with the
  activities of the association the  proximate  cause  of  which  was  not
  directly their or his fault or negligence.
    4.   Funding   for   statewide  program  specialists.  The  state  may
  appropriate monies from the aid to localities  account  in  the  general
  fund for programs of statewide extension specialists, those funds are to
  be  administered by the director of extension. Such specialists shall be
  employees of Cornell university, which  shall  establish  standards  for
  their  employment.  Statewide specialists shall work under the direction
  and supervision of Cornell university.