(a) To effect the purposes of section 1501 of this title, the Agency may comply with federal rules and regulations, and may use so much of the funds appropriated to the Agency, or available to it pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 5 or 511, for highway purposes as shall be necessary to secure aid from the federal government under the federal act specified in section 1501; and in addition may use such sums as may be necessary for surveys, plans, specifications, estimates, and assistance necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(b) To carry out the transportation planning process required by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (the Act), 23 U.S.C. § 134, as may be amended, the Governor shall designate a metropolitan planning organization for any urbanized area of more than 50,000 population and may take other action necessary to ensure the State's compliance with the Act and any federal regulations pertaining to the Act. A designation of a metropolitan planning organization shall remain in effect until revoked by the Governor. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 42; 1993, No. 61, § 25, eff. June 3, 1993; 2015, No. 40, § 15.)