WHEREAS, New York has the third largest rural population of any state in the nation; WHEREAS, the products of New York's farms, forests and other rural areas contribute significantly to the State and national economies; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to ensure the development and coordination of all State programs and policies which affect the State's rural areas and the people who live and work in those areas:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Hugh L. Carey Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby establish in the Executive Chamber a Rural Affairs Cabinet to assist the Governor in the development and coordination of State policies and programs affecting rural affairs.

I. Membership.

The Rural Affairs Cabinet shall consist of the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as Chairperson; the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, who shall serve as Vice-Chairperson; the Secretary of State; the Commissioners of Commerce, Education, Environmental Conservation, Health, Housing and Community Renewal, Labor, Social Services and Transportation; the Director of the Budget, the Director of the Office for the Aging; the President of the Urban Development Corporation; the Chairman of the Adirondack Park Agency and the Chairman of the St. Lawrence-Eastern Ontario Commssion. Other State agencies will cooperate with the Cabinet and participate in its activities as requested by the Chairperson.

II. General Powers and Duties.

The Rural Affairs Cabinet shall develop and coordinate State policy on matters pertaining to rural affairs, and, as appropriate, shall recommend to the Governor modifications of current programs or new initiatives which are necessary to address the needs of New York's rural population and areas.

Working with appropriate State agencies and in cooperation with the Rural Affairs Council, the Cabinet, among other things, shall:

— Develop, by November first of each year, a proposed rural affairs legislative program for submission to the Governor.

— Monitor the work of the Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Interagency Coordinating Committee in implementing the 1978 directive on the Report on Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.

— Prepare, by January 1980, for submission to the Governor, proposed State policy papers on rural health, transportation and housing.

— Develop with the Federal Farmers Home Administration an annual plan for coordinating State and Federal rural development projects.

— Monitor the Governor's Central Business District Policy to ensure fulfillment of the State's commitment to use its resources to promote rural economic development.

— Develop procedures to facilitate participation of rural residents, voluntary organizations and other interested parties in the development and implementation of State policies and programs affecting rural affairs.

— Cooperate with the Federal government; through the Rural Affairs Council, on programs affecting New York's rural areas.

The Cabinet shall meet at the direction of the Chairperson and shall periodically report to the Governor on its activities. The Cabinet shall submit an annual report to the Governor by January first of each year.