The department shall cooperate with the U.S. department of veterans affairs in the performance of functions prescribed in P.L. Public Law 79-679″>79-679, 60 Stat. 934 and any acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto. The secretary may with the approval of the governor take all necessary steps in the making of leases or other contracts with the federal government in the adoption and execution of plans, methods and agreements to effectuate P.L. 79-679.