Section 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.