* § 956. New York state elevator safety and standards board. 1. An elevator safety and standards board is hereby created, to consist of nine members. The governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly shall each appoint three members. The governor's appointees shall be comprised of a representative of a major elevator manufacturing company, an elevator inspector and a building owner, manager or representative; the temporary president of the senate's appointees shall be comprised of an elevator servicing company, an elevator architectural designer or consultant, and an individual from an elevator industry association; the speaker of the assembly's appointees shall be comprised of an elevator contractor employee labor union, an elevator mechanic, and a fire marshal. The commissioners of health, labor, education, and economic development or their designees shall be ex-officio members. The board shall meet on an as needed basis to advise the commissioner on the implementation of this article. The board shall elect a chairperson to serve for the term of their appointment to the board. The board shall prepare an annual report for the governor and the legislature, copies of which shall be sent to the commissioners of health, education, economic development, and labor. 2. The first member appointed by the governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly shall have a term of one year; the second member appointed by each shall have a term of two years and the remaining members shall have a term of three years. Each of such appointed members shall hold office for the term for which such member was appointed and until his or her successor shall have been appointed or until he or she shall resign. The term of office of all successor members shall be three years. The members shall serve without salary or compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. 3. The board may consult with engineering authorities and organizations concerned with standard safety codes, rules and regulations governing the maintenance, servicing, construction, alteration, installation, and inspection of conveyances and the adequate, reasonable, and necessary qualifications of elevator mechanics, contractors, and inspectors. 4. The duties of the board are as follows:

(a) assist the commissioner and the department in establishing the state regulations for equipment covered by this article;

(b) develop recommendations for an enforcement program which will ensure compliance with the regulations and requirements promulgated by the commissioner pursuant to this article;

(c) assist the commissioner in granting exceptions and variances from the literal requirements of the applicable code and standards, regulations, and local legislation, in cases where such variances would not jeopardize the public safety and welfare;

(d) assist the commissioner in setting fee schedules for licenses, permits, and inspections. The fees shall reflect the actual costs and expenses to conduct the duties as described in this article; and

(e) assist the commissioner in any and all things necessary or convenient to the commissioner's duty to carry out the purposes of this article. * NB Effective and Repealed January 1, 2022 * § 956. New York state elevator safety and standards advisory board. 1. An elevator safety and standards advisory board is hereby created, to consist of thirteen members. The governor shall appoint seven members, the temporary president of the senate shall appoint three members, and the speaker of the assembly shall appoint three members. The appointees to the board shall be representatives of elevator manufacturers, building owners or managers, elevator industry construction workers, elevator servicing companies, elevator industry associations, elevator mechanics, or fire marshals. The board shall meet on an as needed basis to advise the commissioner on the implementation of this article. The board shall elect a chairperson to serve for the term of their appointment to the board. 2. The members appointed pursuant to this section shall serve at the pleasure of the authority appointing such member. The members shall serve without salary or compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. 3. The board may consult with engineering authorities and organizations concerned with standard safety codes, rules and regulations governing the maintenance, servicing, construction, alteration, installation, and inspection of conveyances and the adequate, reasonable, and necessary qualifications of elevator mechanics, contractors, and inspectors. 4. The board shall have the authority to administer, oversee, and approve examinations for the purpose of qualifying applicants pursuant to subdivision six of section nine hundred fifty-four of this article. In exercising this authority, the board shall, in its discretion, determine the criteria and standards for examinations to satisfy the requirements of this subdivision, such as the mechanic examination of the national elevator industry educational program, or an equivalent examination recognized by the board, which shall satisfy the requirements of this subdivision. * NB Effective January 1, 2022