§ 225. Wood products development council. 1. There is hereby established within the department a wood products development council. Such council shall consist of the commissioner, the commissioners of environmental conservation and economic development, or their designees, and ten other persons to be appointed by the governor, including one member on the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate; one member on the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly; one member on the recommendation of the minority leader of the senate; and one member on the recommendation of the minority leader of the assembly. Of the members so appointed, at least one member shall be a sawmill owner, one member shall be a secondary wood products manufacturer, one member shall be a logger, one member shall be a maple syrup producer, one member shall be a commercial forest owner, one member shall be a nonindustrial forest owner, one member shall be a representative of a statewide forest industry organization, and one member shall be a representative of a statewide forest landowners association. Members shall be appointed for a term of three years and may serve until their successors are chosen, provided, however, that of the members first appointed, three shall serve for a term of one year, three shall serve for a term of two years, and four shall serve for a term of three years. The governor shall select a member of the council to serve as chairperson. Council members shall not receive compensation for their services, but may be paid their actual and necessary expenses incurred in serving upon the council.

2. The council shall work with wood-using manufacturers to increase the economic contributions and employment opportunities related to the practice of forestry and manufacture of wood products in New York state. The council shall give priority to increasing private investment in working forests; maintaining access to working and family forests; coordinating policy and permitting issues with state agencies, academia and the private sector; working to improve public understanding of and appreciation for forestry and forest products; and increasing export and market opportunities for New York forest products. The council shall deliver an annual report outlining its work and making recommendations with regard to economic development and marketing initiatives and research and development initiatives consistent with the purposes of the council. The report shall be delivered to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate, the minority leader of the assembly and the minority leader of the senate.

3. The department shall provide necessary support services to the council, including, within funds available, the appointment of an executive director to coordinate the work of the council.