(b) Before a correctional facility as defined in subdivision four of section two of this chapter, may be closed for a reason other than those set forth in paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the provisions of section seventy-nine-a of this chapter shall be adhered to. 10. Approve or reject plans and specifications for the construction or improvement of correctional facilities that directly affect the health of inmates and staff, safety, or security. 12. Make an annual report to the governor and legislature concerning its work and the work of the board and the council during the preceding year, and such further interim reports to the governor, or to the governor and legislature, as it shall deem advisable, or as shall be required by the governor. 13. Accept, with the approval of the governor, as agent of the state any grant, including federal grants, or any gift for any of the purposes of this article. Any moneys so received may be expended by the commission to effectuate any purpose of this article, subject to the same limitations as to approval of expenditures and audit as are prescribed for state moneys appropriated for the purposes of this article. 14. Enter into contracts with any person, firm, corporation, municipality, or governmental agency. 15. Adopt, amend or rescind such rules and regulations as may be necessary or convenient to the performance of the functions, powers and duties of the commission. 16. Do all other things necessary or convenient to carry out its functions, powers and duties expressly set forth in this article. * 17. Make an annual report to the governor, the chairman of the assembly committee on correction and the chairman of the senate committee on crime victims, crime and correction concerning inmates confined in local correctional facilities pursuant to an agreement authorized by section five hundred-o of this chapter. Such report shall include but not be limited to the number of counties maintaining such agreements and the number of inmates confined pursuant to such agreements. * NB Repealed September 1, 2020