* 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, 2018
Last modified: February 3, 2019