N.Y. TRA Law § 30

§ 30. Urban transportation planning. Notwithstanding section seven\nhundred thirty-four of the executive law or any other law, the\ncommissioner shall have power to sponsor, conduct and undertake urban\ntransportation studies and to act as the state planning agency for\nmetropolitan or regional urban transportation planning and for state and\ninterstate comprehensive urban transportation planning and for research\nand coordination activity related thereto in connection with the\nprovisions of and for the purposes set forth in section seven hundred\none of the federal housing act of nineteen hundred fifty-four, as\namended, when such studies and activity relate primarily to the\ndevelopment of a transportation plan. In exercising his powers under\nthis section the commissioner may act jointly with and otherwise\ncooperate with any state office or agency, and in order to carry out the\npurposes of this section the commissioner may enter into contracts or\nagreements with any person, firm, corporation or governmental agency.\nThe commissioner may act as agent for or enter into contracts and\notherwise cooperate with the federal government in connection with the\nprovisions of section seven hundred one of the housing act of nineteen\nhundred fifty-four, as amended, to the extent that such section relates\nto assistance of urban transportation planning, and as such agent\nadminister any grant or grants for the assistance of urban\ntransportation planning to the state or through the state to its local\ngoverning bodies and to regional and metropolitan planning agencies,\ncomplying with the provisions of such grants or advances. The\ndepartment of taxation and finance is hereby designated to accept and\nreceive all grants or advances from the federal government for the\npurpose of this section. All monies so accepted and received shall be\ndeposited by the department of taxation and finance in a special fund\nfor use exclusively for the purposes for which such grants or advances\nwere made. Payment from the said fund shall be made upon audit and\nwarrant of the comptroller upon vouchers approved by the commissioner.\nThe commissioner is hereby authorized to present any claim to the\nfederal government or any agency or official thereof with respect to the\nfunds made available for the purposes of this section pursuant to\nsection seven hundred one of the housing act of nineteen hundred\nfifty-four, as amended.\n