(a) In carrying out AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210, the agency shall

(1) take the action it considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210 and adopt regulations in conformity with these purposes;

(2) determine the eligibility of applicants for vocational rehabilitation service;

(3) submit to the governor annual reports of activities and expenditures and, before each regular session of the legislature, estimates of sums required for carrying out AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210 and estimates of the amounts to be made available for this purpose from all sources;

(4) cooperate with public and private departments, agencies, and institutions in providing for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, studying the problems involved in providing this rehabilitation, and establishing, developing, and providing, in conformity with the purposes of AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210, the programs, facilities, and services that may be necessary or desirable;

(5) survey the potential for providing vending facilities on public property and, when feasible, establish vending facilities operated by blind persons and persons with severe disabilities on public property;

(6) license blind persons and persons with severe disabilities in accordance with AS 23.15.133 for the operation of vending facilities on public property, with blind persons having first priority for operation of the vending facilities;

(7) provide the training and supervision necessary to enable blind persons and persons with severe disabilities to operate vending facilities;

(8) provide the equipment and initial stock necessary to enable blind persons and persons with severe disabilities to operate vending facilities.

(b) In carrying out AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210, the agency may

(1) enter into agreements with other states to provide for the vocational rehabilitation of residents of the states concerned;

(2) establish and operate rehabilitation facilities and workshops and make grants to public and other nonprofit organizations for these purposes;

(3) supervise the operation of vending stands and other small businesses established under AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210 to be conducted by individuals with severe disabilities;

(4) make studies, investigations, demonstrations, and reports, and provide training and instruction, including the establishment and maintenance of the research fellowships and traineeships with the stipends and allowances that are considered necessary, in matters relating to vocational rehabilitation; and

(5) adopt regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210.