§ 170. New York state tourism advisory council established. 1. There
is hereby established in the department the New York state tourism
advisory council which shall comprise eighteen members appointed by the
governor, three on the recommendation of the temporary president of the
senate; one on the recommendation of the minority leader of the senate;
three on the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly; and one on
the recommendation of the minority leader of the assembly. The members
of the council shall serve for terms of two years, provided, however,
that of the members first appointed, nine shall serve for terms of two
years and nine shall serve for terms of three years. The governor shall
designate the chairman from among the members of the council. The vice
chairman shall be elected from among the members of the council by the
members of such council, and shall represent the council in the absence
of the chairman at all official council functions. The chair of the
senate committee on tourism, recreation and sports development and the
chair of the assembly committee on tourism, arts and sports development
or their designated representatives, shall be non-voting, ex-officio
members of the council and shall receive no additional compensation for
their services on the advisory council.

2. In appointing the members of the council, the governor shall ensure
that such members include representatives of organizations of
tourism-related industries in the state including, but not limited to,
travel and vacation businesses, convention bureaus, cultural
institutions, theme parks and attractions, hotels and motels,
restaurants, water-based recreation businesses, campgrounds, ski
facilities, wineries, halls of fame, travel agents and transportation
companies.

3. The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their
services but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties as council members.

4. The council shall meet at least five times a year including no less
than three times between January first and May thirty-first, at the call
of the commissioner or the chairman of the council.

5. Unless a member has been excused from attendance at such meetings
by the chairman or vice-chairman upon good cause being shown, any member
who fails to attend three consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have
resigned. Any vacancy on the council shall be filled for the remaining
term of the individual replaced. The appointment to fill such vacancy
shall be made in the same manner as the original appointment was made.

6. The department shall provide necessary technical and staff
assistance to the council. Any department, division, board, bureau,
commission, authority or agency of the state, as such shall determine
appropriate, is authorized to provide such information, cooperation, or
assistance as may be requested by the council to carry out the purposes
of this article.