Section 152. General functions, powers and duties

The department of state,
  by and through the secretary of state or  duly  authorized  officers  or
  employees, shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
    1.  To assist the governor in coordinating the activities and services
  of those departments and agencies of the state having relationships with
  municipalities to the end of providing more effective services  to  such
  municipalities.
    2.  To keep the governor informed as to the problems of municipalities
  and to advise and assist in formulating policies  with  respect  thereto
  and  utilizing  the resources of the state government for the benefit of
  municipalities.
    3. To serve as a clearinghouse, for  the  benefit  of  municipalities,
  regarding information relating to their common problems and to the state
  and  federal  services  available  to  assist  in  the solution of those
  problems.
    4. To refer municipalities to the appropriate departments and agencies
  of  the  state  and  federal  governments  for  advice,  assistance  and
  available services in connection with particular problems
    5.  To  advise and assist municipalities in the solution of particular
  problems.
    6. To conduct studies and analyses of the problems  of  municipalities
  and  to  make  the  results  thereof available as the secretary may deem
  appropriate.
    7. To encourage and assist cooperative efforts among municipalities in
  developing among themselves solutions of their common problems.
    8. To encourage expansion and improvement of training  made  available
  to  municipal  officials,  in  cooperation  with  municipalities and the
  organizations representing them.
    9. To consult with and cooperate  with  municipalities  and  officers,
  organizations,  groups  and individuals representing them, to the end of
  more effectively carrying out the functions, powers and  duties  of  the
  department.
    10.  To  encourage  and facilitate cooperation and collaboration among
  agencies and levels  of  government,  and  between  government  and  the
  private sector, for the protection and development of human, natural and
  man-made resources.
    11.  To  advise  and assist municipalities in the performance of their
  planning and development activities.
    12. To aid and assist, in the  provision  and  coordination  of  state
  technical  assistance  and  services in connection with the planning and
  development activities of municipalities.
    13. To provide assistance  and  guidance  to  municipalities  and,  as
  appropriate, to the private sector, through the compilation, formulation
  and  dissemination  of necessary information, projections and techniques
  relating to development of resources.
    14. To undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys or analyses necessary
  for performance of the functions, powers and duties  of  the  department
  through   the   personnel  of  the  department  or  consultants,  or  in
  cooperation with any public or private agencies.
    15. To adopt, amend or rescind such rules, regulations and  orders  as
  may  be  necessary  or  convenient for the performance of its functions,
  powers and duties under this article.
    16. To enter into contracts with any  persons,  firm,  corporation  or
  governmental  agency, and to do all other things necessary or convenient
  to carry out the functions, powers and duties  expressly  set  forth  in
  this article.
    17.  To  effectuate  the  purposes  of this article, and to enable the
  department properly to carry out its functions, powers and  duties,  the

  secretary  of  state  may request from any state department or agency or
  from any municipality, and the same are hereby  authorized  to  provide,
  appropriate assistance, services and data.
    22.  To  prepare  and  recommend  to  the legislature and the governor
  legislative proposals relating to municipalities.
    23. With the approval of the governor, to  accept  and  administer  as
  agent  of  the  state  any  gift,  grant,  devise  or  bequest,  whether
  conditional or unconditional, including federal grants, for any  of  the
  purposes of this article. Any moneys so received may be expended subject
  to the same limitations as to approval of expenditures and audits as are
  prescribed for state moneys.