Upon application by the director of the Ohio coal development office with the approval of the director of development, the controlling board, from appropriations available to the board, may provide funds for surveys or studies by the office of any proposed coal research and development project subject to repayment by the office from funds available to it, within the time fixed by the board. Funds to be repaid shall be charged by the office to the appropriate coal research and development project and the amount thereof shall be a cost of the project. This section does not abrogate the authority of the controlling board to otherwise provide funds for use by the office in the exercise of the powers granted to it by this chapter.
R.C. § 1555.06