Section 12-C. Passenger tramway advisory council

1.  To  advise  the
  commissioner of labor in relation to  his  duties  and  responsibilities
  under the provisions of section two hundred two-c and article twenty-six
  of  this  chapter, there shall be in the department an advisory council,
  to be known as the passenger tramway  advisory  council,  consisting  of
  seven  members  to  be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice
  and consent of the senate, and  one  of  whom  shall  be  designated  as
  chairman  by  the governor. Each of four members of the council shall be
  an officer or employee of a ski center, and three members of the council
  shall be representatives of the public and shall not be, nor within five
  years immediately preceding appointment have been an officer or employee
  of a ski center.
    2. The term of each member of such advisory board shall  be  for  five
  years, or until a successor is appointed. Any member of the board chosen
  to  fill  a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall
  be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom he is to succeed.
  Any member of the council may be removed by the governor for misconduct,
  incompetence or neglect of duty after being given a written statement of
  the charges and an opportunity to be heard thereon.
    3. Each member of the advisory council shall serve without  salary  or
  other   compensation,   but   shall  be  allowed  necessary  and  actual
  transportation expenses incurred  in  the  performance  of  his  or  her
  duties, and when in travel status shall receive an additional fifty-five
  dollars  and  when  in  travel  status  in  a  county  or  a city with a
  population  in  excess  of  seven   hundred   thousand   an   additional
  seventy-five dollars.
    4.  The advisory council shall consider all matters in connection with
  ski tows, other passenger tramways and downhill skiing referred to it by
  the commissioner and advise him with respect thereto,  and  on  its  own
  initiative,   or   upon   the   suggestion  of  others,  may  make  such
  recommendations to the commissioner in connection with ski  tows,  other
  passenger  tramways  and  downhill skiing as, after consideration by it,
  may be deemed necessary.
    5. The commissioner shall designate an  officer  or  employee  of  the
  department to act as secretary of the advisory council, who shall not be
  a  member  of  such  council  and  who  shall not receive any additional
  compensation therefor.
    6. The advisory council may adopt rules and regulations to govern  its
  own  proceedings.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a complete record of all
  proceedings of the advisory council which shall show the  names  of  the
  members  present  at  each  meeting  and  every matter considered by the
  advisory council and the action taken thereon.  Such  records  shall  be
  filed in the office of the department.