§ 30. Urban transportation planning. Notwithstanding § 734 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.