§ 1266-d. Long Island rail road commuter's council. 1. There is hereby created the Long Island rail road commuter's council, to study, investigate, monitor and make recommendations with respect to the maintenance and operation of the Long Island rail road. Such council shall study and investigate all aspects of the day to day operations of such railroad, monitor its performance and recommend changes to improve the efficiency of the operation thereof. Such council shall study and make recommendations in regard to improving bicycle and pedestrian access at bridges, stations and other facilities operated by the Long Island Railroad and submit such recommendations to the metropolitan transportation authority on or before June first, two thousand twenty-two and every five years thereafter.

2. Such council shall consist of thirteen members who shall be commuters who regularly use the transportation services of such railroad, and who shall be residents of Nassau, Suffolk, Queens or Brooklyn county. Members shall be appointed by the governor upon the recommendation of the county executive of each such county, provided, however, that such members shall be chosen from a list of ten names submitted by each such county executive and provided further however that no more than six members of such council shall be residents of either such county. Provided, however, that one member shall be appointed on the recommendation of the borough president of Queens and one member shall be appointed on the recommendation of the borough president of Brooklyn. Provided, however, that one member shall be appointed who has a demonstrated expertise or interest in the promotion and development of improved bicycle and pedestrian access at bridges, stations and other facilities operated by the authority and its affiliates and subsidiaries. Vacancies occurring in the membership of the council shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments, provided, however, that such vacancy shall be filled from a list of three names submitted by each such county executive.

3. The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for their expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.

4. The council may request and shall receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission, agency, public authority of the state or any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as will enable it properly to carry out its activities hereunder and effectuate the purposes set forth herein.