N.Y. Transportation Law § 30: Urban transportation planning

§ 30. Urban transportation planning. Notwithstanding section seven

hundred thirty-four of the executive law or any other law, the

commissioner shall have power to sponsor, conduct and undertake urban

transportation studies and to act as the state planning agency for

metropolitan or regional urban transportation planning and for state and

interstate comprehensive urban transportation planning and for research

and coordination activity related thereto in connection with the

provisions of and for the purposes set forth in section seven hundred

one of the federal housing act of nineteen hundred fifty-four, as

amended, when such studies and activity relate primarily to the

development of a transportation plan. In exercising his powers under

this section the commissioner may act jointly with and otherwise

cooperate with any state office or agency, and in order to carry out the

purposes of this section the commissioner may enter into contracts or

agreements with any person, firm, corporation or governmental agency.

The commissioner may act as agent for or enter into contracts and

otherwise cooperate with the federal government in connection with the

provisions of section seven hundred one of the housing act of nineteen

hundred fifty-four, as amended, to the extent that such section relates

to assistance of urban transportation planning, and as such agent

administer any grant or grants for the assistance of urban

transportation planning to the state or through the state to its local

governing bodies and to regional and metropolitan planning agencies,

complying with the provisions of such grants or advances. The

department of taxation and finance is hereby designated to accept and

receive all grants or advances from the federal government for the

purpose of this section. All monies so accepted and received shall be

deposited by the department of taxation and finance in a special fund

for use exclusively for the purposes for which such grants or advances

were made. Payment from the said fund shall be made upon audit and

warrant of the comptroller upon vouchers approved by the commissioner.

The commissioner is hereby authorized to present any claim to the

federal government or any agency or official thereof with respect to the

funds made available for the purposes of this section pursuant to

section seven hundred one of the housing act of nineteen hundred

fifty-four, as amended.