(1) The department of transportation and the executive director thereof are designated and authorized to:(a) Take all steps and adopt all proceedings necessary to enter into contracts and make agreements with the federal railroad administration, other state or federal agencies, or any other person for state administration and implementation of section 803 of the federal 'Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976', 49 U.S.C. sec. 1654, and amendments thereto, which are designated for local rail service assistance, including administration and updating of the state rail plan;(b) Receive and accept grants, gifts, or contributions for the purposes of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) from the federal or state government, any other public agency, or from any other source.L. 80: Entire part added, p. 780, § 1, effective May 6. L. 91: IP(1) amended, p. 1097, § 123, effective July 1.