boater,

You've kind of answered your own question. Those statements come from the "Intent" section of the statute.

The "Intent" section is supposed to put the rest of the statute in context...to tell everyone why the statute was passed, but not to necessarily control anything. If you keep reading the statute you'll come to the point where it also says that the Commission can pass no regulations based solely on the "Intent" portion of any other statute.

If a law says "we are forming this Commission because we want an open and deliberative process" that's cool...that's why they're forming the Commission. However, without putting in specifics and saying "Shall" or "Shall Not" about those specifics, it doesn't add anything to the duties of the Commission that isn't already in the APA.

This answer applies to your question over at the other BB's, too, where you posted it.

Fish on...

Todd