Section 1569-R. Defense and indemnification

The authority shall not execute
  any  of  its  powers  except  as  necessary  to  commence  its corporate
  existence, until it  has  elected  to  make  the  provision  of  section
  eighteen of the public officers law applicable to its employees (as such
  term is defined in section eighteen of the public officers law) pursuant
  to  subdivision  two  of  such  section; provided, however, that nothing
  contained within this section shall be deemed to permit the authority to
  extend the provisions of section eighteen of  the  public  officers  law
  upon any independent contractor.