Metropolitan planning organizations: designation and duties

(a) Metropolitan planning organizations shall be designated pursuant to 23 United States Code section 134(d)(1) and shall meet all requirements of 23 United States Code sections 134-135 and 49 United States Code sections 5303-5304, as amended, and any federal regulations adopted pursuant thereto. (b) A metropolitan planning organization shall: (1) Operate according to executed comprehensive agreements, including any supplemental agreements, between the State, county, and other operators of public transportation receiving federal funds; and (2) Facilitate and support the continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process between the State, county, and other operators of public transportation receiving federal funds, including the consideration of projects and strategies that support national planning factors as defined in 23 United States Code section 134, regional goals and objectives, and consideration of plans and planning activities of others as they affect transportation. (c) A metropolitan planning organization may: (1) Assign to staff members duties not defined or designated by federal law, this chapter, or executive agreement; (2) Enter into agreements with the State, county, other operators of public transportation receiving federal funds, and other entities as needed to fully comply with all requirements of federal law and this chapter; (3) Be placed within a state or county agency, as appropriate, for administrative purposes only; (4) Contract to purchase goods and services, including professional and technical assistance and advice; (5) Contract for or accept revenues, compensation, proceeds, and gifts or donations or grants in any form from any public agency; and (6) Contract with other state or local agencies and quasi-public or private organizations for the use of their staff resources to assist the metropolitan planning organization in its functions.