The secretary of transportation pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-5023, is hereby authorized to exercise those powers necessary for the state to qualify for rail service continuation subsidies pursuant to the provisions of the railroad revitalization and regulatory reform act of 1976 including authority: (1) To establish a state plan for rail transportation and local rail services; (2) to administer and coordinate the state plan; (3) to provide in the plan for equitable distribution of federal rail service continuation subsidies among state, local and regional transportation authorities; (4) to maintain adequate programs of investigation, research, promotion and development in connection with such purposes and to provide for public participation therein; (5) to provide satisfactory assurance on behalf of the state that such fiscal control of accounting procedures will be adopted by the state as may be necessary to assure proper disbursement of an account for federal funds paid to the state as rail service continuation subsidies; (6) to comply with the regulations of the secretary of transportation and the United States department of transportation affecting federal rail service continuation programs; and (7) to do all things otherwise necessary to maximize federal assistance to the state under title VIII of public law 94-210.