(a) The commission shall be composed of members representing the party states, the city of New York and the Federal Government apportioned as follows:

(1) Five representatives from each of the party states; provided, however, in the case of the State of New York, one of the representatives shall be the chairman of the planning commission of the city of New York; and

(2) To the extent consistent with Federal law and policies of the Federal agencies involved, an officer or employee of the Federal Government representing the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Transportation and such other departments or agencies of the Federal Government the policies of which significantly relate to the activities of the commission, provided, however, that such representatives of the Federal Government shall not be entitled to vote on any action of the commission but may attend and otherwise participate in commission meetings and may make recommendations to the commission.

The representatives of the party states shall be appointed in such manner as shall be specified by the laws of the respective states; provided, however, the chairman of the planning commission of the city of New York shall be a member by virtue of and so long as he shall hold such office. The Federal representatives shall be appointed by the officer or officers having the power to appoint them to the Federal offices they then hold. Each member shall hold office at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The commission shall elect a chairman from among its members.

(b) The commission’s functions shall be performed and carried out by its members, advisory committees and panels representative of citizens and political subdivisions and other governmental agencies in the compact region as may be established by the commission, and by such officers, agents and employees as may be appointed by the commission, subject to its direction and control. All such officers, agents and employees shall hold office at the pleasure of the commission, which shall prescribe their powers, duties and qualifications and fix their compensation and other terms of their employment.

(c) A quorum of the commission for the purpose of transacting business at any commission meeting shall exist only when there are present, in person, at least three members from each of the party states. No action of the commission shall be effective or binding unless a majority of each party state’s representatives who are present at such commission meeting shall vote in favor thereof. Certified copies of the minutes of each commission meeting shall be sent to each of the Governors of the party states within 10 days of said meeting. The vote of any one or more of the representatives from each party state may be vetoed and canceled by the Governor of any such state within 10 days, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays of the particular state excepted, after receipt by the said Governor of the certified copy of the minutes of the meeting at which such vote was cast, the intent being to empower the Governor of each party state to nullify the commission’s action upon which such vote had been taken.

(d) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services pursuant to this compact but they shall be entitled to be paid the expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

(e) No member of the commission who is otherwise a public officer or employee shall suffer a forfeiture of his office or employment, or any loss or diminution in the rights and privileges appertaining thereto, by reason of such membership.

L.1965, c. 12, s. 1. Amended by L.1971, c. 161, s. 4.