* § 83-l. Legislative commission on water resource needs of New York state and Long Island. 1. The legislature hereby finds and declares that the state has the sovereign power to regulate and control the water resources of this state and an adequate and suitable water supply for water supply, domestic, municipal, industrial, agricultural and commercial uses, power, irrigation, transportation, fire protection, sewage and water assimilation, the growth of the forest, maintenance of fish and wildlife, recreational enjoyment and other uses is essential to the health, safety and welfare of the people and economic growth and prosperity of the state.

2. A legislative commission is hereby established: (a) to investigate and evaluate said reports; (b) to make recommendations for provisions to be made for the regulation and supervision of activities that deplete, defile, damage or otherwise adversely affect the waters of the state and the land resources associated therewith; (c) to determine where uncontaminated or virgin sources of water exist; and (d) to recommend legislative or administrative actions that are required to preserve and protect such resources for future use.

3. 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. Any vacancy that occurs in the commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. Co-chairmen of the commission shall be designated by the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly respectively. 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.

4. 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 their 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 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.

5. Employees of the commission shall be considered to be employees of the legislature for all purposes.

6. 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.

7. 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, 2020