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

                                  3054

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 22, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. BARCLAY, KOLB, TOWNSEND -- Multi-Sponsored by --
  M. of A. CROUCH, SALADINO -- read once and referred to  the  Committee
  on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development

AN  ACT  creating a temporary state commission on tourism in central New
  York to study and prepare a sound business plan to develop a state-of-
  the-art transportation system to  link  community  assets;  making  an
  appropriation   therefor;   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. A temporary state commission on tourism in central New York
is  hereby  created  to  examine,  evaluate,  and  make  recommendations
concerning the development of a state-of-the-art  transportation  system
to link community assets. Such commission shall include in its study the
feasibility  of  the development of a light rail system to connect Syra-
cuse Hancock International Airport, the William F. Walsh  Transportation
Center,  Syracuse  University, DestiNY USA, ONCenter, and downtown Syra-
cuse, in order to bring greater economic  success  to  these  areas  and
their surrounding communities.
  S 2. 1. The commission shall consist of the following fifteen members:
  (a)  the commissioner or his or her designated representative from the
departments  of  transportation,  economic  development,   environmental
conservation, agriculture and markets and of the office of parks, recre-
ation and historic preservation;
  (b) the chairperson or his or her designated representative of the New
York  state thruway authority, the tourism advisory council, the upstate
New York tourism council and the downstate New York tourism council;
  (c) a representative of travel and vacation  related  business  and  a
representative  of  an  organization  of  automobile  users  and  owners
appointed by the governor;
  (d) a representative of Syracuse University;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD03087-01-9
              

A. 3054                             2

  (e) a representative of the Greater Syracuse chamber of commerce;
  (f) a representative of the Onondaga county executive branch; and
  (g)  a  representative of the office of the mayor of the city of Syra-
cuse.
  2. The chairman of the commission shall be the commissioner of  trans-
portation.  The  members  of  the  task force may elect a vice chairman,
secretary or such other officers as it may deem necessary for such terms
as its members shall determine.
  3. Members of the commission, except for those representing  New  York
state  departments, agencies, authorities or councils, shall serve for a
term of two years and may be reappointed in the same manner as  provided
for their initial appointment.
  4.  A  majority  of  the  members of the commission shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any  power
or function of the commission. An act, determination, or decision of the
members  present  and  entitled  to vote during the presence of a quorum
shall be held to be the act, determination or decision  of  the  commis-
sion.
  5.  The  commission  shall  meet at least quarterly at the call of the
chairman.  Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson  subject
to the giving of one week's notice, and shall be called by him or her at
the request of a majority of the members of the commission.
  S 3.  The  commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel
as it may deem necessary for the performance of its functions.
  S 4. The commission 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.
  S 5. The members of the commission shall receive no  compensation  for
their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
  S  6.  The  commission shall make a preliminary report to the governor
and the legislature of its findings,  conclusions,  and  recommendations
not  later  than  one  year  after the effective date of this act, and a
final report of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations not later
than two years after the effective date of this act,  and  shall  submit
with  its  reports  such  legislative proposals as it deems necessary to
implement its recommendations.
  S 7. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000),  or  so  much
thereof  as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to pay the expenses
incurred, including personal service, in carrying out the provisions  of
this  act. Such moneys shall be payable out of the state treasury in the
general fund to the credit of the state purposes account after audit  by
and  on  the  warrant  of the comptroller upon the vouchers certified or
approved by the chairperson or vice-chairperson  of  the  commission  as
prescribed by law.
  S 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire September
30, 2011, when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed
repealed.