§ 71. Petroleum-bearing vessel advisory commission. 1. Creation of the
petroleum-bearing vessel advisory commission. The commissioner of
environmental conservation shall establish a petroleum-bearing vessel
advisory commission to make recommendations on plans, policies and
programs affecting petroleum-bearing vessels. Such advisory commission
shall be composed of nine members to be appointed by the commissioner.
The chairperson shall be designated by the commissioner of environmental
conservation. All members of the commission shall have knowledge of and
experience in the pilotage of commercial vessels. At least three members
shall be licensed pilots by the state of New York, and at least two
members shall be pilots licensed by states contiguous to New York or by
Canada and at least two members shall be experienced in the navigation
and pilotage of tug boats and petroleum-bearing barges. Appointments to
the advisory commission shall be made no later than the first day of
January next succeeding the date on which this section will have become
a law.

2. Meetings of the advisory commission. The advisory commission shall
meet at least annually.

3. Duties of the advisory commission. The advisory commission shall
have the following powers and duties:

(a) to advise the commissioner of environmental conservation in
establishing minimum conditions for petroleum-bearing vessels in certain
waters, pursuant to section seventy of this article.

(b) to advise the commissioner of environmental conservation in
establishing tanker-avoidance zones, pursuant to section seventy of this
article.

4. Term of appointment. All members of the advisory commission shall
serve terms of three years.

5. State assistance. The commissioner of environmental conservation
and all state agencies shall make any and all documents readily
available to the advisory commission which are needed to properly and
thoroughly carry out its responsibilities. The commissioner of
environmental conservation shall also make available to the advisory
commission such staff assistance reasonably necessary to allow the
advisory commission to carry out its duties and responsibilities.