Section 83-E. Legislative commission on science and technology

1. The
  legislature hereby finds that the number and  variety  of  issues  under
  consideration  which  require  a  detailed  scientific and technological
  knowledge is growing larger  each  year.  Radioactive  waste,  hazardous
  materials,   the   development  and  application  of  new  technologies,
  pesticide   management   and   a   wide   spectrum   of    energy    and
  environmentally-related  issues  are  only a few examples of the complex
  scientifically-based problems currently confronting the legislature.
    2. A legislative  commission  on  science  and  technology  is  hereby
  created  to study technical and scientific changes that are occurring or
  likely to occur so that the opportunities for economic development  made
  possible  by such changes and the other consequences of such changes may
  be anticipated and be made known to the legislature in such a way as  to
  aid  the  legislature in the formulation and development of state policy
  including the promotion of identifiable growth industries.
    3. The commission shall provide the legislature with early indications
  of probable beneficial  and  adverse  impacts  of  pending  or  proposed
  applications of technology.
    4.  The  commission  shall  upon  the  request  of the chairman of any
  standing  committee  of  either  house,  or  any  joint   committee   or
  commission,  review  any bill which relates to a subject with scientific
  or technical implications.
    5. The 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  so  appointed,  a  chairman  and  vice
  chairman  shall  be  designated  by  the  joint  action of the temporary
  president of the senate and the speaker of  the  assembly.  Any  vacancy
  that  occurs  in  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.
    6.  An  advisory  board  is  hereby  established  to provide technical
  support and policy making assistance to the commission. The board  shall
  be  made  up of six members with knowledge and current experience in any
  pertinent field of science and/or technology and who belong to  and  are
  active  in  several professional scientific societies. The members shall
  be appointed as  follows:  three  members  shall  be  appointed  by  the
  temporary  president of the senate; and three members shall be appointed
  by the speaker of the assembly. From among the members so  appointed,  a
  chairman  and vice chairman shall be elected. Any vacancy that occurs in
  the advisory board shall be filled in  the  same  manner  in  which  the
  original appointment was made.
    7.  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  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 and advisory board shall receive no compensation for
  their services, except as provided pursuant to section  five-a  of  this
  chapter,  but  shall  be  allowed  their  actual  and necessary expenses
  incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.

    8. Employees of the commission shall be considered to be employees  of
  the legislature for all purposes.
    9.  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.
    10. 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  set  forth
  in this section.
    * NB Repealed June 30, 2010