§ 1266-e. Metro-North rail commuter council. 1. There is hereby
created the Metro-North rail commuter council to study, investigate,
monitor and make recommendations with respect to the maintenance and
operation of those portions of, if any, the Hudson, Harlem, New Haven,
Pascack Valley and Port Jervis commuter railroad lines remaining within
the metropolitan commuter transportation district. Such council shall
study and investigate all aspects of the day to day operation of such
railroad lines, monitor their performance and recommend changes to
improve the efficiency of the operation thereof. Such council shall
study and make recommendations in regard to improving bicycle and
pedestrian access at bridges, stations and other facilities operated by
such railroad lines and submit such recommendations to the metropolitan
transportation authority on or before June first, two thousand
twenty-two and every five years thereafter.

2. Such council shall consist of twelve members and shall be commuters
who regularly use the transportation services of such railroad lines. At
least five of such members shall be residents of the county of
Westchester. Of the other seven members, at least one of such members
shall be a resident of each of the counties of Rockland, Putnam,
Dutchess, Orange and Bronx, provided that such county has not withdrawn
from the metropolitan commuter transportation district pursuant to
section twelve hundred seventy-nine-b of this title; provided further,
should only the county of Putnam remain in the metropolitan commuter
transportation district then membership on such council shall consist of
eight members, six of whom reside in the county of Westchester and two
of whom reside in the county of Putnam. Members shall be appointed by
the governor. In making such appointments the governor shall consult
with and solicit recommendations from local officials and to the extent
possible appoint members who represent the ridership of the several
commuter railroad lines. Provided, however, that one member shall be
appointed who has a demonstrated expertise or interest in the promotion
and development of improved bicycle and pedestrian access at bridges,
stations and other facilities operated by the authority and its
affiliates and subsidiaries. Vacancies occurring in the membership of
the council shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.

3. The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their
services but shall be reimbursed for their expenses actually and
necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties
hereunder from funds appropriated to the commissioner of transportation.

4. The council may request and shall receive from any department,
division, board, bureau, commission, agency, public authority of the
state or any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as
it requests and will enable it to properly carry out its activities for
the purposes set forth herein.