(1) The assessors of various counties of the state shall be agents of the department and shall perform such duties as are prescribed by law.
(2) The department may authorize any person to act as agent for the issuance of certificates of number. In the event a person accepts such authorization, he shall be assigned a block of vessel numbers, validation stickers and certificates of number, which upon issuance in conformity with law and with any rules of the department shall be valid as if issued directly by an assessor.