(a) The finance commission may assign the banking commissioner, savings and mortgage lending commissioner, or consumer credit commissioner to conduct research on:
(1) the availability, quality, and prices of financial services, including lending and depository services, offered in this state to agricultural businesses, small businesses, and individual consumers in this state; and
(2) the practices of business entities in this state that provide financial services to agricultural businesses, small businesses, and individual consumers in this state.
(b) The banking commissioner, savings and mortgage lending commissioner, or consumer credit commissioner may:
(1) apply for and receive public and private grants and gifts to conduct the research authorized by this section; and
(2) contract with public and private entities to carry out studies and analyses under this section.