Section 54-0513. Powers and duties of the commissioner

In administering the provisions of this title the commissioner:
    1.  shall  make  an  itemized  estimate  of  funds  or  appropriations
  requested annually for inclusion in the executive budget;
    2. may, in the name of the state,  as  further  provided  within  this
  article,  contract  to  make,  within  the limitations of appropriations
  available therefor, state assistance payments and loans toward the costs
  of an approved project. Such contracts shall be subject to  approval  by
  the state comptroller and, as to form, by the attorney general;
    3.  shall  approve  vouchers  for the payments pursuant to an approved
  contract. All such payments shall be paid on the audit  and  warrant  of
  the state comptroller; and
    4. may perform such other and further acts as may be necessary, proper
  or desirable to carry out the provisions of this article.