N.Y. Executive Law § 483: General functions, powers and duties

§ 483. General functions, powers and duties. The state office of rural

affairs by and through the director or his duly authorized officers and

employees, shall have the following functions, powers and duties:

1. To serve as a clearinghouse and provide comprehensive information

relating to rural development and revitalization upon request to any

agency, individual or corporation.

2. To advise and assist agencies, individuals and corporations in

answering particular rural revitalization and development needs;

including cooperative efforts among such agencies, individuals, and

corporations to solve common problems or provide services in rural

areas.

3. To receive notification from all state and federal agencies,

individuals or corporations engaged in rural development and

revitalization of program descriptions, appropriation data, and

application procedures. The office shall maintain a listing of existing

programs and advise local agencies, individuals or corporations of their

existence.

4. To assist, upon request, applicant local agencies, individuals or

corporations located in rural areas in obtaining timely and efficient

responses from state and federal agencies; to assist such applicants in

consideration of alternative program grant strategies; to assist state

and federal agencies in cooperative approaches to address the needs of

such applicants; and to provide technical assistance to agencies in

formulating and implementing rural development and revitalization

programs.

5. To review application procedures formulated by state agencies and

to recommend improvements designed to increase the cost-effectiveness of

such procedures for rural revitalization and development efforts; and to

enhance the probability such procedures will benefit rural areas.

6. To encourage the assistance of the private sector in effectuating

rural development and revitalization.

7. To provide legal consultation concerning local government matters

to officials of municipalities located in rural areas on a wide range of

problems and programs, including the exercise of home rule powers,

reapportionment of local legislative bodies, drafting and revising of

local laws including charters, and drafting and implementing of

municipal cooperation agreements. All such assistance shall be advisory

in nature, and shall not include the actual drafting of final legal

documents or the provision of actual legal representation.

8. To assist the governor and the legislature in the integration and

formulation of state rural development and revitalization policy and

long-range plans for rural areas and in answering needs related thereto.

9. To facilitate efforts of local agencies, individuals and

corporations in developing cooperative responses to rural needs.

Personnel of the office shall be available to participate in an advisory

capacity at local meetings exploring such cooperative agreements; and

shall assist in the identification of appropriate state agencies and

personnel who may be instrumental in facilitating such efforts.

10. To provide legal advice and assistance concerning rural

development and revitalization matters to officials of the executive

department and the legislature; and to analyze and make recommendations

concerning proposed new state legislation or programs that may affect

rural areas.

11. To apply for and receive, consistent with appropriation,

notification, and approval requirements of the state finance law, grants

or financial assistance from the federal government or other approved

agencies, individuals or corporations.

12. To adopt such rules and regulations, procedures, instructions, and

forms as are required to carry out the functions, powers and duties

imposed upon the office by this article.

13. To assist the governor in coordinating the activities and services

of those departments and agencies of the state having relationships with

local rural agencies, individuals and corporations in order to provide

more effective service to them and to simplify state procedures relating

thereto.

14. To keep the governor informed about the problems and needs of

agencies, individuals and corporations that are involved with rural

development and revitalization; and to assist in formulating policies

with respect thereto and utilizing the resources of the executive branch

of the state government for the benefit of rural areas.

15. To refer local agencies, individuals and corporations to the

appropriate departments and agencies of the state and federal

governments for advice, assistance, and available services in connection

with particular rural development and revitalization problems or needs.

16. To develop pilot programs or projects and make studies and

analyses of the problems or needs of rural areas and to make the results

thereof available for the benefit of such agencies as the director may

deem appropriate.

17. To encourage the expansion and improvement of in-service training

opportunities and to make information available to officials of local

agencies in rural areas on matters pertaining to rural development and

revitalization.

18. To consult with and cooperate with agencies and officers,

organizations, groups, and individuals representing rural areas or doing

rural development and revitalization in such manner as the director may

determine will effectively carry out the functions, powers, and duties

of the office.

19. To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the

functions, powers, and duties expressly set forth in this section.