S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1025
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
(PREFILED)
January 7, 2009
___________
Introduced by M. of A. DelMONTE, LUPARDO, FIELDS, GUNTHER, STIRPE, COOK
-- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BRENNAN, DESTITO, GABRYSZAK, KOON,
PEOPLES, REILLY, SWEENEY, TOWNS -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development
AN ACT to create a temporary New York state commission on the develop-
ment of a museum that honors the history and mission of the state's
forest rangers, game protectors, and environmental conservation offi-
cers; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration
thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds and
declares there is a need to create a New York state museum to promote,
display and honor the origin, history, work and achievements of the
state's forest rangers, game protectors, game wardens and environmental
conservation officers.
The legislature finds that the creation of a New York state commission
is necessary to bring together persons qualified by experience and/or by
powers vested in them by their offices to develop, plan, promote and
guide the development of such a museum.
S 2. 1. There is hereby created a temporary state commission to be
known as the "New York state commission on the history of conservation
officers museum".
2. As used in this act: "Commission" means the New York state commis-
sion on the history of conservation officers museum created by this
section.
3. a. The commission shall consist of 17 members to be appointed as
follows:
The commissioner of the department of environmental conservation or
his or her duly designated representative; two members of the department
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01132-01-9
A. 1025 2
of environmental conservation's office of public protection, of which
one shall be a member of the division of forest protection and fire
management and one shall be a member of the department of environmental
conservation's division of law enforcement; the commissioner of the
department of education or his or her duly designated representative; an
appointee of the Fish and Wildlife Management Board; one member desig-
nated by the New York State Outdoor Writers' Association; three members
who shall be appointed by the governor; three members who shall be
appointed by the temporary president of the senate; three members who
shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; one member appointed
by the minority leader of the senate; and one member appointed by the
minority leader of the assembly.
The commissioner of the department of environmental conservation or
his or her duly designated representative shall serve as chair of the
commission. Appointed members shall serve at the pleasure of the
appointing official or body. Vacancies shall be filled in the same
manner provided for original appointments.
b. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for
their services but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary
expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
c. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any general, special
or local law, ordinance, resolution or charter, no officer, member or
employee of the state or of any public corporation shall forfeit his or
her office or employment by reason of his or her acceptance of appoint-
ment as a member of the commission, nor shall service as such commission
member be deemed incompatible or in conflict with such office or employ-
ment.
d. The commission shall appoint such staff as may be necessary to
carry out its duties.
S 3. The commission shall have the following powers and duties:
1. To plan, propose and develop a suitable museum that will honor,
display and promote the history, origin, development and achievements of
the state's outdoor game, fish, and forest protectors and law enforce-
ment officers, known generally as forest rangers and environmental
conservation officers, and to highlight their role in New York's
protection of waters, lands, forests, fish and game;
2. To identify a suitable location for such a museum, which may be
located in existing buildings, facilities and offices maintained by the
state;
3. To identify and acquire artifacts, memorabilia, uniforms and equip-
ment of historic significance in the development of the ranger, game
protector and environmental conservation officer services for display in
the museum;
4. To encourage public appreciation for the beneficial role played by
game protectors, forest rangers and environmental conservation officers
in protecting our fish, wildlife and natural resources in New York's
history;
5. To promote the museum as an educational resource; and
6. To encourage students to consider careers as forest rangers and
environmental conservation officers.
S 4. The commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel
as it may deem necessary for the performance of its functions and fix
their compensation within the amounts made available by appropriation
therefor. The commission may meet and hold public and/or private hear-
ings within or without the state, and shall have all the powers of a
legislative committee pursuant to the legislative law.
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S 5. The commission may request and shall receive from any subdivi-
sion, department, board, commission, office, agency, or other instrumen-
tality of the state or of any political subdivision thereof such facili-
ties, assistance and data as it deems necessary or desirable for the
proper execution of its powers and duties and to effectuate the purposes
set forth in this act.
S 6. The commission is hereby authorized and empowered to enter into
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
act, and may accept donations to help fund the development of the muse-
um.
S 7. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire December
31, 2014 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed
repealed.