S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2975
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 1, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GRAY -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the governor's mili-
tary council
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 192 to
read as follows:
§ 192. GOVERNOR'S MILITARY COUNCIL. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED
WITHIN THE DIVISION OF MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS A COUNCIL TO BE KNOWN
AS THE "GOVERNOR'S MILITARY COUNCIL". THE MISSION OF THE GOVERNOR'S
MILITARY COUNCIL IS TO GROW AND PROTECT MAJOR MILITARY ACTIVITIES
LOCATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, TO LEVERAGE SUCH MILITARY ACTIVITIES
INTO CREATING ADDITIONAL DEFENSE RELATED JOBS, AND TO HELP LOCAL UNITS
OF GOVERNMENT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES
AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THIS STATE.
2. (A) THE GOVERNOR'S MILITARY COUNCIL SHALL CONSIST OF NO MORE THAN
TWELVE MEMBERS, EACH TO SERVE FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS. SUCH MEMBERS
SHALL BE APPOINTED AS FOLLOWS: ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE; ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY; ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY
LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY; AND EIGHT MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
GOVERNOR. OF THE TWELVE MEMBERS, SUCH MEMBERS SHALL INCLUDE THE ADJUTANT
GENERAL, THE COMMISSIONER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE COMMISSIONER OF
LABOR, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS, OR THEIR
DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES. OF THE TWELVE MEMBERS, SUCH MEMBERS SHALL
INCLUDE ONE MEMBER FROM EACH AREA IN THIS STATE IN WHICH A MILITARY BASE
IS LOCATED, INCLUDING KINGS COUNTY, JEFFERSON COUNTY, ORANGE COUNTY, AND
SARATOGA COUNTY. THE GOVERNOR SHALL DESIGNATE ONE MEMBER AS CHAIRPERSON,
AND MAY DESIGNATE OTHER OFFICERS AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. BASE OR POST
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07712-01-3
A. 2975 2
COMMANDERS MAY SERVE AS EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. APPOINTMENTS
SHALL BE MADE WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.
VACANCIES IN THE COUNCIL SHALL BE FILLED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR
ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS.
(B) THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE
GOVERNOR AND SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES PERFORMED OR
REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES INCURRED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE
MEMBERS SHALL MEET UPON THE CALL OF THE CHAIRPERSON AS NECESSARY TO
CARRY OUT THE DUTIES SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION.
3. THE DUTIES OF THE GOVERNOR'S MILITARY COUNCIL SHALL BE TO INITIATE,
STUDY, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE,
WITH RESPECT TO STRATEGIES TO:
(A) OPTIMIZE THE MILITARY PRESENCE IN THIS STATE THROUGH THE REMOVAL
OF OPERATIONAL IMPEDIMENTS, INCREASING OPERATING EFFICIENCIES, AND
RECRUITMENT OR ACQUISITION OF NEW MISSIONS AND FORCE STRUCTURE;
(B) FOSTER CLOSE, EFFECTIVE COOPERATION AMONG THE INSTALLATIONS, AND
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS THROUGHOUT THE STATE;
(C) PURSUE INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ACTIVE
AND RESERVE COMPONENT MILITARY PERSONNEL;
(D) EXPLORE AND DEVELOP OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS
DISCHARGING OR RETIRING FROM MILITARY SERVICE TO USE THEIR TALENTS AND
SKILLS AS MEMBERS OF THE STATE WORKFORCE;
(E) ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT, COORDINATION, AND EXECUTION OF STRATE-
GIES REQUIRED BY ANY FUTURE CHANGE IN MISSIONS PROPOSED BY THE DEPART-
MENT OF DEFENSE; AND
(F) GROW DEFENSE-RELATED INDUSTRIES IN AREAS AROUND THE STATE'S MILI-
TARY BASES AND INSTALLATIONS.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.