(a) The commission and the department may conduct research and demonstration projects that in the judgment of the executive commissioner will assist in promoting the purposes of the commission’s and the department’s assistance programs. The commission and the department may conduct the projects independently or in cooperation with a public or private agency.
(b) The executive commissioner may authorize the use of state or federal funds available for commission or department assistance programs or for research and demonstration projects to support the projects. The projects must be consistent with the state and federal laws making the funds available.