32:23-10 - General powers
32:23-10 General powers.
In addition to the powers and duties elsewhere prescribed in this compact, the commission shall have the power:
1.To sue and be sued;
2.To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure;
3.To acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property by gift, purchase, lease, license or other similar manner, for its corporate purposes;
4.To determine the location, size and suitability of accommodations necessary and desirable for the establishment and maintenance of the employment information centers provided in Article XII hereof and for administrative offices for the commission;
5.To appoint such officers, agents and employees as it may deem necessary, prescribe their powers, duties and qualifications and fix their compensation and retain and employ counsel and private consultants on a contract basis or otherwise;
6.To administer and enforce the provisions of this compact;
7.To make and enforce such rules and regulations as the commission may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this compact or to prevent the circumvention or evasion thereof, to be effective upon publication in the manner which the commission shall prescribe and upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State of each State. A certified copy of any such rules and regulations, attested as true and correct by the commission, shall be presumptive evidence of the regular making, adoption, approval and publication thereof;
8.By its members and its properly designated officers, agents and employees, to administer oaths and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the giving of testimony and the production of other evidence;
9.To have for its members and its properly designated officers, agents and employees, full and free access, ingress and egress to and from all vessels, piers and other waterfront terminals or other places in the port of New York district, for the purposes of making inspection or enforcing the provisions of this compact; and no person shall obstruct or in any way interfere with any such member, officer, employee or agent in the making of such inspection, or in the enforcement of the provisions of this compact or in the performance of any other power or duty under this compact;
10. To recover possession of any suspended or revoked license issued under this compact;
11. To make investigations, collect and compile information concerning waterfront practices generally within the port of New York district and upon all matters relating to the accomplishment of the objectives of this compact;
12. To advise and consult with representatives of labor and industry and with public officials and agencies concerned with the effectuation of the purposes of this compact, upon all matters which the commission may desire, including but not limited to the form and substance of rules and regulations, the administration of the compact, maintenance of the longshoremen's register, and issuance and revocation of licenses;
13. To make annual and other reports to the Governors and Legislatures of both States containing recommendations for the improvement of the conditions of waterfront labor within the port of New York district, for the alleviation of the evils described in Article I and for the effectuation of the purposes of this compact. Such annual reports shall state the commission's finding and determination as to whether the public necessity still exists for (a) the continued registration of longshoremen, (b) the continued licensing of any occupation or employment required to be licensed hereunder and (c) the continued public operation of the employment information centers provided for in Article XII;
14. To co-operate with and receive from any department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency of either or both States, or of any county or municipality thereof, such assistance and data as will enable it properly to carry out its powers and duties hereunder; and to request any such department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency, with the consent thereof, to execute such of its functions and powers, as the public interest may require.
L.1953,c.202, Art.IV; amended 2005,c.313,s.2.