NY Exec L § 483 (2021)
2021 New York Laws EXC - Executive Article 19-F - Rural Affairs Act 483 - General Functions, Powers and Duties.

§ 483. General functions, powers and duties. The state office of rural   affairs  by and through the director or his duly authorized officers and   employees, shall have the following functions, powers and duties:1. To serve as a clearinghouse and provide  comprehensive  information   relating  to  rural  development  and revitalization upon request to any   agency, individual or corporation.2. To advise and assist  agencies,  individuals  and  corporations  in   answering   particular   rural  revitalization  and  development  needs;   including cooperative efforts  among  such  agencies,  individuals,  and   corporations  to  solve  common  problems  or  provide services in rural   areas.3. To receive  notification  from  all  state  and  federal  agencies,   individuals   or   corporations   engaged   in   rural  development  and   revitalization  of  program  descriptions,   appropriation   data,   and   application  procedures. The office shall maintain a listing of existing   programs and advise local agencies, individuals or corporations of their   existence.4. To assist, upon request, applicant local agencies,  individuals  or   corporations  located  in  rural areas in obtaining timely and efficient   responses from state and federal agencies; to assist such applicants  in   consideration  of  alternative program grant strategies; to assist state   and federal agencies in cooperative approaches to address the  needs  of   such  applicants;  and  to  provide  technical assistance to agencies in   formulating  and  implementing  rural  development  and   revitalization   programs.5.  To  review application procedures formulated by state agencies and   to recommend improvements designed to increase the cost-effectiveness of   such procedures for rural revitalization and development efforts; and to   enhance the probability such procedures will benefit rural areas.6. To encourage the assistance of the private sector  in  effectuating   rural development and revitalization.7.  To  provide legal consultation concerning local government matters   to officials of municipalities located in rural areas on a wide range of   problems and programs, including  the  exercise  of  home  rule  powers,   reapportionment  of  local  legislative bodies, drafting and revising of   local  laws  including  charters,  and  drafting  and  implementing   of   municipal  cooperation agreements. All such assistance shall be advisory   in nature, and shall not include the  actual  drafting  of  final  legal   documents or the provision of actual legal representation.8.  To  assist the governor and the legislature in the integration and   formulation of state rural development  and  revitalization  policy  and   long-range plans for rural areas and in answering needs related thereto.9.   To   facilitate   efforts  of  local  agencies,  individuals  and   corporations  in  developing  cooperative  responses  to  rural   needs.   Personnel of the office shall be available to participate in an advisory   capacity  at  local  meetings exploring such cooperative agreements; and   shall assist in the identification of  appropriate  state  agencies  and   personnel who may be instrumental in facilitating such efforts.10.   To   provide   legal  advice  and  assistance  concerning  rural   development and revitalization matters to  officials  of  the  executive   department  and the legislature; and to analyze and make recommendations   concerning proposed new state legislation or programs  that  may  affect   rural areas.11.   To   apply  for  and  receive,  consistent  with  appropriation,   notification, and approval requirements of the state finance law, grants   or financial assistance from the federal government  or  other  approved   agencies, individuals or corporations. 12. To adopt such rules and regulations, procedures, instructions, and   forms  as  are  required  to  carry out the functions, powers and duties   imposed upon the office by this article.13. To assist the governor in coordinating the activities and services   of those departments and agencies of the state having relationships with   local  rural  agencies, individuals and corporations in order to provide   more effective service to them and to simplify state procedures relating   thereto.14. To keep the governor informed about  the  problems  and  needs  of   agencies,  individuals  and  corporations  that  are involved with rural   development and revitalization; and to assist  in  formulating  policies   with respect thereto and utilizing the resources of the executive branch   of the state government for the benefit of rural areas.15.  To  refer  local  agencies,  individuals  and corporations to the   appropriate  departments  and  agencies  of  the   state   and   federal   governments for advice, assistance, and available services in connection   with particular rural development and revitalization problems or needs.16.  To  develop  pilot  programs  or  projects  and  make studies and   analyses of the problems or needs of rural areas and to make the results   thereof available for the benefit of such agencies as the  director  may   deem appropriate.17.  To encourage the expansion and improvement of in-service training   opportunities and to make information available to  officials  of  local   agencies  in  rural areas on matters pertaining to rural development and   revitalization.18.  To  consult  with  and  cooperate  with  agencies  and  officers,   organizations, groups, and individuals representing rural areas or doing   rural  development and revitalization in such manner as the director may   determine will effectively carry out the functions, powers,  and  duties   of the office.19.  To  do  all  things  necessary  or  convenient  to  carry out the   functions, powers, and duties expressly set forth in this section.