N.Y. Public Service Law § 8

§ 8. Additional officers and employees. The chairman shall have power\nto employ such officers, clerks, inspectors, experts and employees, and\nto make such contracts for special services as he may deem to be\nnecessary to carry out this chapter, or to perform the duties and\nexercise the powers conferred by law upon the commission. The chairman,\nby certificate filed in the office of the commission may from time to\ntime, specially authorize any officer or employee of the commission to\nconduct any investigation or hearing, which the commission is authorized\nto conduct, to take testimony in respect of the subject or matter under\ninvestigation, and report the testimony to the commission, and in the\nconduct of such investigation or hearing such officer or employee shall\nhave all the powers of a commissioner.\n