* § 83-e. Legislative commission on science and technology. 1. The
legislature hereby finds that the number and variety of issues under
consideration which require a detailed scientific and technological
knowledge is growing larger each year. Radioactive waste, hazardous
materials, the development and application of new technologies,
pesticide management and a wide spectrum of energy and
environmentally-related issues are only a few examples of the complex
scientifically-based problems currently confronting the legislature.

2. A legislative commission on science and technology is hereby
created to study technical and scientific changes that are occurring or
likely to occur so that the opportunities for economic development made
possible by such changes and the other consequences of such changes may
be anticipated and be made known to the legislature in such a way as to
aid the legislature in the formulation and development of state policy
including the promotion of identifiable growth industries.

3. The commission shall provide the legislature with early indications
of probable beneficial and adverse impacts of pending or proposed
applications of technology.

4. The commission shall upon the request of the chairman of any
standing committee of either house, or any joint committee or
commission, review any bill which relates to a subject with scientific
or technical implications.

5. The 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 so appointed, a chairman and vice
chairman shall be designated by the joint action of the temporary
president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly. Any vacancy
that occurs in 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.

6. An advisory board is hereby established to provide technical
support and policy making assistance to the commission. The board shall
be made up of six members with knowledge and current experience in any
pertinent field of science and/or technology and who belong to and are
active in several professional scientific societies. The members shall
be appointed as follows: three members shall be appointed by the
temporary president of the senate; and three members shall be appointed
by the speaker of the assembly. From among the members so appointed, a
chairman and vice chairman shall be elected. Any vacancy that occurs in
the advisory board shall be filled in the same manner in which the
original appointment was made.

7. 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 compensation within the amount appropriated therefor. 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 and advisory board shall receive no compensation for
their services, except as provided pursuant to section five-a of this
chapter, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.

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

9. 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.

10. 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 set forth
in this section.

* NB Repealed June 30, 2024