TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING:

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Law was enacted in 1934, following closely the national repeal of the prohibition against the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.

Although there have been periodic, piecemeal amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law since its enactment, there has been no major reappraisal and revision of the Law in the light of experience and current social and economic conditions.

To maintain public confidence in the operation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, I deem it to be in the public interest to make provision for a thorough study and reappraisal of the Law, with respect to the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the State.

NOW, THEREFORE, I Nelson A. Rockefeller, pursuant to Section six of the Executive Law, have appointed and by these presents do appoint Lawrence E. Walsh, Chairman; William C. Warren; and Manly Fleischmann, as Commissioners to study and reappraise existing provisions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law; to examine and investigate the adequacy and effectiveness of existing laws, rules, regulations, practices and procedures with respect to the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages, including the licensing, supervision and control thereof by State and local authorities and the methods and practices of manufacturers, distributors and retailers of alcoholic beverages in the State; and to recommend any revisions necessary or desirable to strengthen and improve such laws, rules, regulations, practices and procedures.

The Commissioners are herby empowered to subpoena and enforce the attendance of witnesses, to administer oaths and examine witnesses under oath and to require the production of any books, records or papers deemed relevant or material, and I hereby grant to the Commissioners all and singular the powers and authorities which may be granted to a person appointed by me for such purposes under authority of Section six of the Executive Law. The powers hereby conferred may be exercised by the Commissioners jointly as well as severally.

Every State department, division, board, bureau and agency shall provide to the Commissioners every assistance, facility and cooperation which may be proper or desirable for the accomplishment of the purposes for which the Commissioners are hereby appointed.

The mayors or other chief executive officers of all counties, cities, towns, and villages, district attorneys for each of the counties in the State, the sheriffs in such counties, the commissioners of police or persons having comparable titles or duties exercising supervision of police forces within the State, the chairman and members of the State Liquor Authority, and the chairman and members of all local Alcoholic Beverage Control Boards organized or operating pursuant to the provisions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law or any other laws relating to the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages are called upon to cooperate to make available every reasonable facility and assistance to the Commissioners in the performance of their duties.