S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 5575--A

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              May 19, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced   by  Sens.  STACHOWSKI,  AUBERTINE,  BRESLIN,  DIAZ,  FOLEY,
  C. JOHNSON, KRUEGER, THOMPSON,  VALESKY  --  read  twice  and  ordered
  printed,  and  when  printed  to  be  committed  to  the  Committee on
  Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business -- reported  favora-
  bly  from  said committee and committed to the Committee on Finance --
  committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as  amended  and
  recommitted to said committee

AN  ACT creating an economic development benefit task force; and provid-
  ing 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.  The  legislature finds and declares that in order for the
state to emerge into the next decade as a strong economic power, it must
revisit the successes and failures of the empire zone  program.  Due  to
the nearing expiration of the program it is imperative for the state and
all  relevant  parties  to come together and determine what are the best
options for a new economic development benefit  policy  that  will  help
make  New  York  state's businesses be as competitive as possible on the
national and world stage. In the creation of a new economic  development
benefit program the following issues must be reviewed:
  (a) Identification of strategic industries;
  (b)  Roles of federal, state and local government in economic develop-
ment;
  (c) Business expansion and investment;
  (d) Business retention;
  (e) Business attraction;
  (f) Innovation, commercialization and emerging business;
  (g) Urban revitalization;
  (h) Minority- and women-owned business enterprises;
  (i) Examination of current programs and incentives;
  (j) Review of best practices;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD11850-03-9
              

S. 5575--A                          2

  (k) Proper incentives; and
  (l) Metrics to measure the success of the state's economic development
benefits.
  S  2. (a) An economic development benefit task force is hereby created
to conduct the examination described in section  one  of  this  act  and
recommend the best economic development benefit program for the state.
  (b)  The  task  force  shall  consist  of  29  members,  each shall be
appointed for a term of one year, consisting of nine  members  appointed
by the governor, six members from the temporary president of the senate,
six  members  from  the  speaker  of  the assembly, two members from the
minority leader of the senate and two members from the  minority  leader
of  the  assembly.  Such  members shall be chosen from regional business
organizations, business improvement districts, private sector  organiza-
tions,  non-profits,  unions, universities, colleges and statewide busi-
ness advocacy organizations. The commissioners  of  the  departments  of
economic  development,  environmental  conservation and labor,   and the
director of the New York state foundation for  science,  technology  and
innovation shall be ex-officio members. The governor shall designate the
chairman  and  vice-chairman from among his or her appointees. Vacancies
in the membership of the commission and  among  its  officers  shall  be
filled in the manner provided for original appointments.
  (c)  The  task  force  may use employees at the department of economic
development as it may deem necessary for the performance  of  its  func-
tions.
  (d)  The  task force may meet within and without the state, shall hold
public hearings, and shall have all the powers of a legislative  commit-
tee pursuant to the legislative law.
  (e)  The  members  of the task force shall receive no compensation for
their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
  (f) To the maximum extent feasible, the task force shall  be  entitled
to  request  and  receive  and  shall  utilize and be provided with such
facilities, resources, and data  of  any  court,  department,  division,
board,  bureau,  commission,  or  agency  of  the state or any political
subdivision thereof as it may reasonably request to carry  out  properly
its powers and duties pursuant to this act.
  (g)  The  appointing  authorities  shall  appoint  the  members of the
economic development benefit task force on or before 30 days after  this
act  shall  have become a law and the task force shall convene its first
meeting on or before 30 days thereafter.
  (h) The task force shall issue a preliminary report  to  the  governor
and legislature of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations by the
ninetieth day after this act shall take effect and a final report of its
findings,  conclusions,  and  recommendations  not  later  than  the one
hundred fiftieth day after this act shall take effect.
  S 3. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day  after  it  shall
have become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed June 30, 2010.