(1) The Oregon Transportation Commission shall develop and report to the Governor on legislative, budgetary and administrative programs to accomplish comprehensive, long-range, coordinated planning and policy formulation in the matters of public interest related to transportation. To accomplish this end, the commission may hold public hearings, consult with and use the services and cooperation of other state and federal agencies, employ consultants and appoint advisory and technical committees to assist in the work.
(2) Whenever a power is granted to the commission the power may be exercised by such officer or employee within the Department of Transportation as is designated in writing by the commission. Any such designation shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. The authority to delegate granted by this subsection includes, but is not limited to, authority to delegate the power to adopt rules for the department.