(a) The department, acting by and through its Commissioner, is designated as the state agency responsible for cooperating with the administration under the provisions of the federal act.
(b) In furtherance of its responsibilities under subsection (a) of this Code section, the department may:
(1) Conduct inspections and take other regulatory actions as necessary to assist the administration in enforcement of the federal act; and
(2) Enter into cooperative agreements with the administration to carry out the provisions of the federal act.