New York State Consumer Protection Board

The Consumer Protection Board was created by the Laws of 1970 (Chapter 294). The board consists of the chairman of the Public Service Commission; the superintendents of the Banking Department and the Insurance Department; the commissioners of the Department of Agriculture and Markets; the Department of Economic Development; the Department of Environmental Conservation; the Department of Health; and the secretary of state. An executive director, chosen by the governor, serves as chairperson of the board.

CURRENT FUNCTIONS. The function of the State Consumer Protection Board is to protect the rights of State's consumers. The board coordinates the activities of all State agencies performing consumer-protection functions and intervenes on behalf of consumers in proceedings before the Public Service Commission.

The activities of the board include conducting investigations and research in matters affecting consumers; representing the interests of consumers before federal, State, and local administrative and regulatory agencies; initiating and promoting consumer protection activities; and establishing advisory councils to assist policy formation in specific consumer areas. The board has no adjudicatory or legal enforcement authority.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY. The Consumer Protection Board was created by the Laws of 1970 (Chapter 294). The board consists of the chairman of the Public Service Commission; the superintendents of the Banking Department and the Insurance Department; the commissioners of the Department of Agriculture and Markets; the Department of Economic Development; the Department of Environmental Conservation; the Department of Health; and the secretary of state. An executive director, chosen by the governor, serves as chairperson of the board.