(a) Authorities or agencies may be assigned to the department for administrative purposes in accordance with Code Section 50-4-3. The following authorities are assigned to the department in accordance with such Code section:

(1) The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority; and

(2) The Georgia Housing and Finance Authority.

(b) The department may induce, by payment of state funds or other consideration, any agency or authority assigned to the department for administrative purposes to perform any local government services and to perform its own statutory function.