The advisory group shall have the power and duty to:

1. 1. adopt a model environmental justice policy applicable generally to state agencies that engage in activities or operations that may have a significant effect on the environment, including but not limited to through the adoption of rules and regulations, issuance of permits, acquisition or maintenance of property, or approval, funding or undertaking of projects. Such policy shall be adopted not later than one year after the effective date of this article. The advisory group shall develop the model policy in consultation with representatives of minority and low-income communities, regulated parties, the environmental justice interagency coordinating council and other state agencies and the public and shall hold a public hearing thereon in each judicial department. Notice of such hearings and notice of the adoption of the model policy shall be published in the state register;
2. 2. advise state agencies of their responsibilities under section 48-0109 of this article;
3. 3. monitor compliance with the environmental justice policies of state agencies, make recommendations to the governor, legislature and state agencies on measures to improve such policies, and report not less than annually on the extent to which agencies are in compliance with the requirements of this article and other state laws and Federal laws and regulations relating to environmental justice;
4. 4. provide comments on any proposed rule, regulation or policy of a state or federal agency related to environmental justice;
5. 5. accept, as agent of the state, any grant including federal grants or any gift for the purposes of this article. Any monies so received may be expended by the advisory group to effectuate any purpose of this article, subject to the applicable provisions of the state finance law;
6. 6. conduct public hearings with respect to any matter within the scope of its functions, powers and duties;
7. 7. adopt, amend and repeal by-laws governing its organization and operation and such rules and regulations, consistent with this article, as it deems necessary to administer this article; and
8. 8. do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry out its functions, powers and duties under this article.