N.Y. JUD Law § 64

§ 64. Additional functions of the commission. The commission shall\nhave the following functions, powers and duties:\n 1. Establish procedures to assure that persons who may be well\nqualified for appointment to the court of appeals, other than those who\nhave requested consideration or who have been recommended for\nconsideration by others, are encouraged to agree to be considered by the\ncommission.\n 2. Conduct investigations, administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena\nwitnesses and compel their attendance, examine them under oath or\naffirmation and require the production of any books, records, documents\nor other evidence that it may deem relevant or material to its\nevaluation of candidates.\n 3. Require from any court, department, division, board, bureau,\ncommission, or other agency of the state or political subdivision\nthereof or any public authority such assistance, information and data,\nas will enable it properly to evaluate the qualifications of candidates,\nsubject to any absolute judicial or executive privilege, where one\nexists.\n Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission, with the\nconsent of the applicant, shall be entitled to require from the\ncommission on judicial conduct the record of any proceeding pursuant to\na formal written complaint against an applicant for judicial appointment\nto the court of appeals, in which the applicant's misconduct was\nestablished, any pending complaint against an applicant, and the record\nto date of any pending proceeding pursuant to a formal written complaint\nagainst such applicant for appointment to the court of appeals. The\ncommission on judicial conduct shall have fifteen days within which to\nrespond to a request made pursuant to this subdivision.\n 4. Require the appearance of any candidate before it and interview any\nperson concerning the qualifications of any candidate.\n 5. Communicate with the governor concerning the qualifications of any\nperson whom it has recommended to the governor, and communicate with the\nsenate concerning the qualifications of the person appointed by the\ngovernor.\n 6. The commission may appoint, and at pleasure remove, a counsel and\nsuch other staff as it may require from time to time, and prescribe\ntheir powers and duties. The commission shall fix the compensation of\nits staff and provide for reimbursement of their expenses within the\namounts appropriated by law.\n 7. Do all other things necessary and convenient to carry out its\nfunctions pursuant to this article.\n