§ 173. Apiary industry advisory committee. 1. There is hereby
established within the department an apiary industry advisory committee
which shall consist of no more than fifteen members to be appointed by
the commissioner based on their experience and expertise in the apiary
industry. Of the members so appointed, at least two members shall
represent each of the three sectors of the apiary industry, commercial
beekeepers, part-time beekeepers and hobbyist beekeepers; at least one
member shall represent the horticulture or vegetable industry and one
member shall be an officer or employee of the Cornell cooperative
extension service or the New York state college of agriculture and life
sciences at Cornell university. Members shall be appointed for a term of
three years and may serve until their successors are chosen provided,
however, that of the members first appointed, five shall serve for a
term of one year, five shall serve for a term of two years, and five
shall serve for a term of three years. Members shall serve without
salary. The commissioner or his or her designee shall be the chairperson
of the committee.

2. The duties and responsibilities of the apiary industry advisory
committee shall include providing advice, comments and recommendations
to the commissioner regarding state government plans, policies and
programs affecting the apiary industry and such other matters as the
commissioner may request in relation to this article.

3. The advisory committee shall meet at least once annually, at times
and places set by the commissioner.

4. The commissioner may ask other individuals to attend the
committee's meetings or work with it as needed.