Section 71. Petroleum-bearing vessel advisory commission

1. Creation of the
  petroleum-bearing  vessel  advisory  commission.    The  commissioner of
  environmental conservation shall establish  a  petroleum-bearing  vessel
  advisory  commission  to  make  recommendations  on  plans, policies and
  programs affecting petroleum-bearing vessels. Such  advisory  commission
  shall  be  composed of nine members to be appointed by the commissioner.
  The chairperson shall be designated by the commissioner of environmental
  conservation. All members of the commission shall have knowledge of  and
  experience in the pilotage of commercial vessels. At least three members
  shall  be  licensed  pilots  by  the state of New York, and at least two
  members shall be pilots licensed by states contiguous to New York or  by
  Canada  and  at least two members shall be experienced in the navigation
  and pilotage of tug boats and petroleum-bearing barges. Appointments  to
  the  advisory  commission  shall  be made no later than the first day of
  January next succeeding the date on which this section will have  become
  a law.
    2.  Meetings of the advisory commission. The advisory commission shall
  meet at least annually.
    3. Duties of the advisory commission. The  advisory  commission  shall
  have the following powers and duties:
    (a)  to  advise  the  commissioner  of  environmental  conservation in
  establishing minimum conditions for petroleum-bearing vessels in certain
  waters, pursuant to section seventy of this article.
    (b) to  advise  the  commissioner  of  environmental  conservation  in
  establishing tanker-avoidance zones, pursuant to section seventy of this
  article.
    4.  Term  of appointment. All members of the advisory commission shall
  serve terms of three years.
    5. State assistance. The commissioner  of  environmental  conservation
  and  all  state  agencies  shall  make  any  and  all  documents readily
  available to the advisory commission which are needed  to  properly  and
  thoroughly   carry   out   its  responsibilities.  The  commissioner  of
  environmental conservation shall also make  available  to  the  advisory
  commission  such  staff  assistance  reasonably  necessary  to allow the
  advisory commission to carry out its duties and responsibilities.