(a) The Commissioner of the State Department of Agriculture and Industries, or an employee designated in writing by the commissioner, in order to promote economic and industrial development in this state, may expend the funds of the department in such a manner as the commissioner deems appropriate to entertain economic development prospects, to promote public relations with the prospects, and for other public purposes.
(b) All funds expended pursuant to this section shall be subject to the same auditing and accounting procedures as used for the Alabama Development Office and the Alabama State Port Authority for comparable functions and expenditures and as otherwise provided by law.