Section 83-A. Legislative commission on critical transportation choices

1.  (a) The legislature hereby finds and declares that the economic  and
  social  well-being of the people of the state are inextricably linked to
  the quality of the state's transportation services and further that said
  transportation services are heavily dependent  upon  energy  sources  or
  fuels of uncertain future supply.
    (b)  Recent  surveys of New York's transportation system indicate that
  portions of  said  system  are  badly  in  need  of  rehabilitation  and
  improvement and such surveys warn that the transportation infrastructure
  may  begin  to  deteriorate  rapidly  unless  action is taken quickly to
  prevent such  deterioration.  The  transportation  systems  serving  the
  regions  of  the  state  are  also  subject  to  severe  dislocations or
  disruptions  of  fuel  supplies  in  the  future,  which   will   affect
  appreciably the standard of living of all New York residents.
    2. There is hereby created a legislative commission to be known as the
  legislative   commission   on   critical  transportation  choices.  Such
  commission shall consist of ten members  to  be  appointed  as  follows:
  three  members  of  the  senate  shall  be  appointed  by  the temporary
  president of  the  senate;  three  members  of  the  assembly  shall  be
  appointed  by  the  speaker  of  the assembly; two members of the senate
  shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and two members
  of the assembly shall  be  appointed  by  the  minority  leader  of  the
  assembly.  From  among  the  members  as  appointed, a chairman and vice
  chairman shall be appointed jointly by the temporary  president  of  the
  senate  and  the speaker of the assembly. Any vacancy that occurs in the
  chairmanship, vice chairmanship or other membership  of  the  commission
  shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was
  made.  No  member,  officer,  or  employee  of  the  commission shall be
  disqualified from holding any other public  office  or  employment,  nor
  shall  he  forfeit  any  such  office  or  employment  by  reason of his
  appointment hereunder, notwithstanding the provisions  of  any  general,
  special, or local law, ordinance, or city charter.
    3.  The  commission  hereby  created  shall  have  the  power  to: (a)
  recommend a statewide plan of action  to  meet  critical  transportation
  needs   within  the  state;  (b)  assess  the  transportation  needs  of
  localities with respect to various modes of moving people and goods  and
  their  energy dependency thereof; (c) evaluate probable impact of energy
  shortages on the ability to sustain the various modes of transportation;
  (d) identify and study long-term transportation needs  under  attenuated
  energy  supplies;  (e) assess impact of federal and state regulations on
  transportation systems; (f) evaluate the impact of  public  projects  on
  existing  transportation  networks;  (g)  coordinate  and cooperate with
  other states in the planning and development of mutually beneficial  and
  supportive  transportation  projects  and  services  including highways,
  bridges, tunnels, railroad facilities and aviation projects;  (h)  study
  and  assess  the  future  of commercial and private air service and make
  recommendations for the preservation and improvement  of  such  service;
  (i)  undertake  research  and  develop  proposals in connection with the
  development  of  ports,  free  trade  zones,  transportation  hubs   and
  facilities related thereto; (j) undertake research and develop proposals
  in  connection  with  safety  and safety related programs in the various
  transportation modes; (k) evaluate the short-term and long-term  capital
  needs  and  operating  assistance  requirements  of  the  state's public
  transit systems; (l) cooperate with local, state and  federal  officials
  in  the  analysis  of  possible  changes  in rules, regulations and laws
  relating to transportation; and  (m)  assess  the  relationship  between
  transportation and economic development.

    4.  The commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel as
  it may deem necessary for the performance of the commission's  functions
  and  fix their compensation within the amount appropriated therefor. The
  commission may hold public and private hearings and otherwise  have  all
  of the powers of a legislative committee under this chapter. The members
  of  the  commission shall receive no compensation for their services but
  shall be allowed their actual and necessary  expenses  incurred  in  the
  performance of their duties hereunder.
    5.  Employees of the commission shall be considered to be employees of
  the legislature for all purposes.
    6. The commission may request and shall receive from any  subdivision,
  department,   board,   bureau,   commission,  office,  agency  or  other
  instrumentality of the state or of any  political  subdivision  thereof,
  such  facilities, assistance and data as it deems necessary or desirable
  for the proper execution of its powers and duties.
    7. The commission is hereby authorized and empowered to make and  sign
  any  agreements,  and  to do and perform any acts that may be necessary,
  desirable or proper to carry out the purposes  and  objectives  of  this
  section.
    * NB Repealed June 30, 2010