* § 83-a. Legislative commission on critical transportation choices.
1. (a) The legislature hereby finds and declares that the economic and
social well-being of the people of the state are inextricably linked to
the quality of the state's transportation services and that the delivery
of that service has grown increasingly expensive for governmental
agencies at all levels as well as for individuals and families in the
state.

(b) Recent surveys of New York's transportation system indicate that
portions of said system are badly in need of rehabilitation and
improvement and such surveys warn that the transportation infrastructure
may begin to deteriorate rapidly unless action is taken quickly to
prevent such deterioration. The transportation systems serving the
regions of the state can be characterized as contributing to or having
facilitated sprawling and inefficient land use patterns and as a result
are also subject to severe dislocations or disruptions of fuel supplies
in the future, which will affect appreciably the standard of living of
all New York residents and call into question the ability to sustain the
system in light of relatively new energy and environmental policy goals.

2. There is hereby created a legislative commission to be known as the
legislative commission on critical transportation choices. Such
commission shall consist of ten members to be appointed as follows:
three members of the senate shall be appointed by the temporary
president of the senate; three members of the assembly shall be
appointed by the speaker of the assembly; two members of the senate
shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and two members
of the assembly shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
assembly. From among the members as appointed, a chairman and vice
chairman shall be appointed jointly by the temporary president of the
senate and the speaker of the assembly. Any vacancy that occurs in the
chairmanship, vice chairmanship or other membership of the commission
shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was
made. No member, officer, or employee of the commission shall be
disqualified from holding any other public office or employment, nor
shall he forfeit any such office or employment by reason of his
appointment hereunder, notwithstanding the provisions of any general,
special, or local law, ordinance, or city charter.

3. The commission hereby created shall have the power to: (a)
recommend a statewide plan of action to meet critical transportation
needs within the state; (b) assess the transportation needs of
localities with respect to various modes of moving people and goods and
their energy efficiency and environmental sustainability thereof; (c)
evaluate probable impact of energy shortages on the ability to sustain
the various modes of transportation; (d) identify and study long-term
transportation needs under attenuated energy supplies and new
environmental policy objectives; (e) assess impact of federal and state
regulations on transportation systems; (f) evaluate the impact of public
projects on existing transportation networks; (g) study and assess the
future of commercial and private air service and make recommendations
for the preservation and improvement of such service; (h) undertake
research and develop proposals in connection with the development of
ports, free trade zones, transportation hubs and facilities related
thereto; (i) undertake research and develop proposals in connection with
safety and safety related programs in the various transportation modes;
(j) evaluate the short-term and long-term capital needs and operating
assistance requirements of the state's public transit systems; (k)
identify and study potential revenue sources for the dedicated highway
and bridge trust fund; (l) cooperate with local, state and federal
officials in the analysis of possible changes in rules, regulations and
laws relating to transportation; (m) assess the relationship between
transportation, the environment and long term, sustainable economic
development; (n) research and evaluate proposals related to the federal,
state and local government organizational environment with respect to
planning, design and construction of transportation programs, projects
and services; and (o) evaluate the transportation system in light of the
current social, economic and environmental regulatory climate including
but not limited to energy efficiency, air quality, quality communities
or smart growth objectives, environmental justice, sustainability and
costs per household.

4. The commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel as
it may deem necessary for the performance of the commission's functions
and fix their compensation within the amount appropriated therefore. The
commission may hold public and private hearings and otherwise have all
of the powers of a legislative committee under this chapter. 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.

5. Employees of the commission shall be considered to be employees of
the legislature for all purposes.

6. The commission may request and shall receive from any subdivision,
department, board, bureau, commission, office, agency or other
instrumentality of the state or of any political subdivision thereof,
such facilities, assistance and data as it deems necessary or desirable
for the proper execution of its powers and duties.

7. The commission is hereby authorized and empowered to make and sign
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
section.

* NB Repealed June 30, 2024