In an interview, Parker said that while he’d had “discussions” with prospective clients, the new private consulting business is not active – and it’s future is unclear.

If the business does get on the ground in the coming months, Parker said he is “almost certain” that it would only operate for clients outside New York, and noted that the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics might not approve him having in-state clients.

While Parker’s committee chairmanship gives him an expertise on energy issues, the senator said his “general consulting” firm could work on a broad array of issues.

“I’m an all-around very smart guy,” said Parker, an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College’s Center for Worker Education who holds a master’s degree in science from the New School for Social Research in Urban Policy and Management.

The potential new firm comes as Senate Democrats have expressed a willingness to pass legislation limiting outside income for lawmakers. The outside income for lawmakers emerged as a major issue following the corruption conviction of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat convicted of accepting kickbacks disguised as legal payments.

Controversy also emerged a decade ago over consulting fees paid to former Republican Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno by an Albany businessman who had sought help from the Legislature, although Bruno was eventually acquitted following his second trial in 2014 on federal fraud charges.

Praxis Paradigms is actually the second consulting firm set up under Parker’s name. State records show that in September 2015, another limited liability company, GRG Strategies, was formed.

That company was registered to an address in Schenectady that has been used by Paul Rivera – a former top aide to the state Senate Democrats – when Rivera has given campaign contributions, according to state Board of Elections records.