Sec. 22. (a) The commission is authorized to do the following:

(1) Hold public hearings.

(2) Request the presence and participation at a commission meeting of representatives of any governmental or private entity that has an interest in natural resources, tourism, historic preservation, archaeology, or environmental issues.

(3) Enter into contracts, within the limit of available funds, with individuals, organizations, and institutions for services that further the purposes of this chapter.

(4) Enter into contracts, within the limit of available funds, with local and regional nonprofit corporations and associations for cooperative endeavors that further the purposes of this chapter.

(5) Enter with governmental and private entities into cooperative agreements that further the purposes of this chapter.

(6) Receive appropriations of federal funds.

(7) Accept gifts, contributions, and bequests of funds from any source.

(8) Apply for, receive, and disburse funds available from the state or federal government in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, and enter into any agreements that may be required as a condition of obtaining the funds.

(9) Enter into any agreement and perform any act that is necessary to carrying out the duties of the commission and the purposes of this chapter.

(b) The following conditions apply to the handling and disbursement of any funds that the commission receives under subsection (a)(8):

(1) The department shall provide accounting services pertaining to the funds.

(2) The commission may appoint an individual to act as treasurer of the commission for purposes of the handling and disbursement of the funds.

(3) All expenditures must be reviewed by the commission at a meeting of the commission.

(4) A claim against the funds may not be paid without the signature of the director or the director's designee.

As added by P.L.135-1997, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.27-2005, SEC.1.