((a)) ** Consulting with other agencies; prescribing rules and regulations; furnishing advice and assistance; coordinating research** The Secretary, acting through the Director of the United States Bureau of Mines, shall administer this subchapter and, after full consultation with other interested Federal agencies, shall prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out its provisions. The Secretary shall furnish such advice and assistance as will best promote the purposes of this subchapter, shall participate in coordinating research initiated under this subchapter by the institutes, shall indicate to them such lines of inquiry that seem most important, and shall encourage and assist in the establishment and maintenance of cooperation by and between the institutes and between them and other research organizations, the United States Department of the Interior, and other Federal establishments.

((b)) ** Annual ascertainment of compliance** On or before the first day of July in each year beginning after , the Secretary shall ascertain whether the requirements of have been met as to each institute and State.section 1223(a) of this titleAugust 29, 19841984-08-29