* § 226. Natural fiber textile development council. 1. There is hereby established within the department a natural fiber textile development council. Such council shall consist of the commissioner, the commissioner of economic development, or their designees, and ten other persons to be appointed by the governor, including two members on the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate; two members 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 producer of animal-based fibers, one shall be a producer of plant-based fibers, one shall be a representative of a statewide agricultural organization, one shall be a representative of a regional or statewide organization of animal or plant fiber producers, two shall be representatives of fiber and textile manufacturers which is defined as a fiber processor or spinning mill, a knitting mill, a weaving studio, or wet finishing (dyeing, printing or fabric finishing), two shall be from designers/producers which is defined as including apparel, home textile products, industrial textiles and healthcare products, one shall be a representative of an academic institution offering textile or design education, and one shall be a representative of an academic institution offering fiber-producing livestock education. 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.

1. 2. The council shall work with natural fiber producers and textile manufacturers to increase the economic contributions and employment opportunities related to animal and plant fiber agriculture and textile manufacturing in New York state. The council shall give priority to increasing private investment in, and utilization of, New York state produced and processed natural fibers in all categories of textile manufacturing including apparel, home textile products, industrial textiles, and health care products. The council shall also prioritize coordinating policy with state agencies, academia and the private sector; working to improve public understanding of and appreciation for natural fiber textiles; and increasing export and market opportunities for New York produced natural fiber textiles. 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.
2. 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. * NB Effective January 1, 2023