N.Y. Educ. Law § 301
The office of commissioner of education is hereby continued. Subject to the general direction and control of the regents of the university, he shall continue to have, exercise and perform the functions, powers and duties conferred or imposed by law upon the commissioner of education. He shall continue to exercise the judicial functions conferred by law upon the commissioner of education and, subject to rules of the regents, to make, execute and issue in the name of the department such determinations, decisions, orders, notices and certificates as may be required for the exercise and performance of the functions, powers and duties conferred or imposed upon the department. With the approval of the board of regents, he shall continue to prepare the annual estimates and requests for appropriations for operation, maintenance and construction of the New York state school for the blind. All moneys appropriated for the New York school for the blind, or derived from other sources in the course of the administration thereof, shall be expended upon vouchers approved by the commissioner of education, when and in the manner authorized by the board of regents. The regents may adopt rules conferring and imposing upon the commissioner of education such additional powers and duties as may be required for the effective administration of the department and of the state system of education.
N.Y. Educ. Law § 301