(a) There are established three Long Island Sound advisory councils as follows: (1) An Eastern Long Island Sound Advisory Council consisting of the towns of Stonington, Groton, Ledyard, Preston, Norwich, Montville, New London, Waterford, East Lyme, Old Lyme, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Essex, Chester, Deep River, Clinton and Westbrook; (2) a Central Long Island Sound Advisory Council consisting of the towns of Madison, Guilford, Branford, East Haven, North Haven, Hamden, New Haven, West Haven and Orange; and (3) a Western Long Island Sound Advisory Council consisting of the towns of Milford, Shelton, Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Westport, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich.

(b) The membership of each council shall be comprised of the chief executive officer, or his designee, of each municipality in such council and four members as follows: One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. Each council shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson by a majority vote of the members of the council.

(c) Each council shall prepare a report concerning the use and preservation of Long Island Sound within its boundaries. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, provisions prioritizing the concerns of citizens and organizations for the future of Long Island Sound, recommendations for improving the biological integrity of and public access to Long Island Sound and identification of available resources concerning Long Island Sound. Such report shall be revised as each council deems necessary.

(d) Each council may organize, as it deems necessary, and utilize public or private resources in accomplishing its duties, including those made available from educational institutions and industry.

(e) Each council shall submit its report to the Long Island Sound Assembly not more than one year after the first meeting of such council. Any revision shall be submitted to said assembly within thirty days.

(P.A. 89-344, S. 2, 4; P.A. 13-299, S. 28.)

History: P.A. 13-299 amended Subsec. (b) to decrease number of council members from 9 to 4, delete provisions re 5 gubernatorial appointments and first meeting, and add provision re election of council chairperson and vice-chairperson, effective July 1, 2013.