(b) In the event of a vacancy caused by the death, resignation, removal or disability of the chairman, the vacancy shall be filled by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate for the unexpired term. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the governor shall designate one of the commissioners to serve as acting chairman for a period not to exceed six months or until a successor chairman has been confirmed by the senate, whichever comes first. Upon the expiration of the six month term, if the governor has nominated a successor chairman, but the senate has not acted upon the nomination, the acting chairman can continue to serve as acting chairman for an additional ninety days or until the governor's successor chairman nomination is confirmed by the senate, whichever comes first.

(c) The governor shall provide immediate written notice to the temporary president of the senate of the designation of a commissioner as acting chairman.

(d) If (i) the governor has not nominated a successor chairman upon the expiration of the six month term or (ii) the senate does not confirm the governor's successor nomination within the additional ninety days, the commissioner designated as acting chairman shall no longer be able to serve as acting chairman and the governor is prohibited from extending the powers of that acting chairman or from designating another commissioner to serve as acting chairman.

(e) A commissioner serving as the acting chairman of the authority shall be deemed a state officer for purposes of section seventy-three of the public officers law.

(f) A majority of the members of the authority shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business thereof and a majority vote of all the members in office shall be necessary for action. Provided, however, that a commissioner designated as an acting chairman pursuant to subdivision two of section fourteen of this chapter shall have only one vote for purposes of conducting the business of the authority.