(a) The Governor may delegate to the authority, by executive order, his or her powers under applicable federal transportation planning and air quality laws and regulations, including without limitation the power to resolve revision disputes between metropolitan planning organizations and the Department of Transportation under 40 C.F.R. Section 93.105, the power to approve state-wide transportation improvement programs under 23 U.S.C. Section 134 and 23 C.F.R. Sections 450.312(b), 450.324(b), and 450.328(a), and the power of approval and responsibilities for public involvement under 23 C.F.R. Section 450.216(a).

(b) In exercising the authority's delegated powers concerning proposed state-wide transportation plans and transportation improvement programs prepared by metropolitan planning organizations wholly or partly within the geographic area over which the authority has jurisdiction or by the Department of Transportation:

(1) Transportation plans and transportation improvement programs subject to the authority's delegated review powers shall be approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the authorized membership of the board to a motion made for that purpose;

(2) The authority may request modification of such a plan or program and approve such proposal for modification of a plan or program by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the authorized membership of the board to a motion made for that purpose;

(3) The board may set a date certain as a deadline for submission of any such plan or program to the authority for review; and

(4) If any such plan or program is not timely submitted for review in compliance with a deadline set by the board, the authority may exercise its delegated power to disapprove such plan or program upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the authorized membership of the board to a motion made for that purpose;

provided, however, that where one or more vacancies exist on the board and the board is not otherwise prohibited from entertaining a motion requiring such a supermajority, such motion shall carry on the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present. On any motion requiring a supermajority for passage, any abstention not authorized as provided in this chapter shall be deemed an affirmative vote for purposes of passage or failure of such motion.

(c) The authority shall formulate measurable targets for air quality improvements and standards within the geographic area over which the authority has jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter, and annually shall report such targets to the Governor, together with an assessment of progress toward achieving such targets and projected measures and timetables for achieving such targets.