Section 170. New York state tourism advisory council established

1. There
  is hereby established in the  department  the  New  York  state  tourism
  advisory  council which shall comprise eighteen members appointed by the
  governor, three on the recommendation of the temporary president of  the
  senate;  one on the recommendation of the minority leader of the senate;
  three on the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly; and  one  on
  the  recommendation  of the minority leader of the assembly. The members
  of the council shall serve for terms of two  years,  provided,  however,
  that  of  the members first appointed, nine shall serve for terms of two
  years and nine shall serve for terms of three years. The governor  shall
  designate  the  chairman from among the members of the council. The vice
  chairman shall be elected from among the members of the council  by  the
  members  of such council, and shall represent the council in the absence
  of the chairman at all official council  functions.  The  chair  of  the
  senate  committee  on tourism, recreation and sports development and the
  chair of the assembly committee on tourism, arts and sports  development
  or  their  designated  representatives,  shall be non-voting, ex-officio
  members of the council and shall receive no additional compensation  for
  their services on the advisory council.
    2. In appointing the members of the council, the governor shall ensure
  that   such   members   include   representatives  of  organizations  of
  tourism-related industries in the state including, but not  limited  to,
  travel   and   vacation   businesses,   convention   bureaus,   cultural
  institutions,  theme  parks  and   attractions,   hotels   and   motels,
  restaurants,   water-based   recreation   businesses,  campgrounds,  ski
  facilities, wineries, halls of fame, travel  agents  and  transportation
  companies.
    3.  The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their
  services but shall  be  allowed  their  actual  and  necessary  expenses
  incurred in the performance of their duties as council members.
    4. The council shall meet at least five times a year including no less
  than three times between January first and May thirty-first, at the call
  of the commissioner or the chairman of the council.
    5.  Unless  a member has been excused from attendance at such meetings
  by the chairman or vice-chairman upon good cause being shown, any member
  who fails to attend three consecutive meetings shall be deemed  to  have
  resigned.  Any  vacancy on the council shall be filled for the remaining
  term of the individual replaced. The appointment to  fill  such  vacancy
  shall be made in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
    6.   The  department  shall  provide  necessary  technical  and  staff
  assistance to the council.  Any  department,  division,  board,  bureau,
  commission,  authority  or  agency of the state, as such shall determine
  appropriate, is authorized to provide such information, cooperation,  or
  assistance  as may be requested by the council to carry out the purposes
  of this article.