Section 23-0311. New York state oil, gas and solution mining advisory board

1.  A  thirteen  member  New  York  state oil, gas and solution mining
  advisory board shall be created within  the  department  to  advise  and
  assist  the  commissioner  and  other  state  agencies on activities and
  policies related to the development, operation  and  regulation  of  the
  oil, gas and solution mining industry. The members shall be appointed by
  the   governor,   with  a  majority  representative  of  the  respective
  industries. Three of the members shall be appointed upon  recommendation
  of  the  majority leader of the senate and three of the members shall be
  appointed  upon  recommendation  of  the  speaker   of   the   assembly.
  Appointments  shall be made for three-year terms. Members shall continue
  in office until their successors have been appointed and qualified.  The
  governor  shall  select  a chair from among the members. The board shall
  meet at least twice yearly and the members shall  receive  reimbursement
  for  expenses.  The  department shall provide the board with secretarial
  services.
    2. The chair of the public service commission, the  president  of  the
  New  York  state  energy  research  and development authority, the state
  geologist, and the commissioner shall serve the board in  an  ex-officio
  capacity.
    3.  The  commissioner  shall  seek  the  views of the board on matters
  within their scope of concern and shall specifically request the board's
  participation  at  an  early  developmental  stage  of  any  new  rules,
  regulations and policies being contemplated or developed. In addition to
  such  other  duties  as the commissioner may suggest or the board on its
  own volition may choose to undertake, the board shall:
    a. Review and comment on the criteria to be used by the department  in
  selecting abandoned wells for plugging or replugging.
    b. Review and comment on proposed rules and regulations and department
  activities affecting the industry.
    c.  Recommend  to  the  governor,  the  commissioner,  and other state
  agencies program directions or modifications related to the development,
  operation, and regulation of the oil, gas, and solution mining industry.