Section 83-I. Legislative commission on the development of rural resources

1. The legislature  hereby  finds  and  declares  that  the
  economic  and  social  well-being  of the people of the state is clearly
  related  to  the  state's  rural  resources.  The  rural   economy   and
  environment contribute greatly to the quality and maintenance of life in
  New  York  state.  Rural  areas  offer an important alternative to urban
  living.  Agriculture,  forestry,  mineral   extractions,   tourism   and
  recreation  in  rural  areas  constitute much of New York's agricultural
  base.  New  York's  indispensable  rural  resources  are  decentralized,
  diverse and unique, and their enhancement and protection require special
  attention  in  view  of  their  special  characterization and needs. The
  legislature further finds that a commission is necessary to  review  and
  reassess  state  policies  and  programs  and  their  impact  upon rural
  resources and to make recommendations thereon to promote the enhancement
  and protection of such resources.
    2. A legislative commission on the development of rural  resources  is
  hereby established (a) to examine the impact of rural resources upon the
  state's  economy;  (b)  to  review existing laws and regulations as they
  pertain to rural resources; (c) to assess the effect of  state  policies
  generally  on rural areas; (d) to reassess the effectiveness of programs
  specifically addressed to rural resource needs  and  problems,  such  as
  agricultural districting, agricultural product promotion, maintenance of
  agricultural  land,  forest  management, tax exemptions for agricultural
  and forest land, oil and gas regulation, and tourism and recreation; and
  (e) to make such recommendations to the legislature  for  action  as  it
  determines  necessary  for the enhancement and protection of the state's
  rural resources.
    3. 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 as appointed, a senate chairman and  an
  assembly  chairman shall be appointed jointly by the temporary president
  of the senate and the speaker of the assembly. Any vacancy  that  occurs
  in  the  chairmanships  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.
    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,
  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.
    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  court,
  department,  division,  board,  or  bureau, commission, or agency of the
  state such assistance and data as will enable the commission properly to
  carry out its powers and duties hereunder.

    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  purpose  and  objectives  of  this
  section.
    * NB Repealed June 30, 2010