(a) It shall be the duty of the department to administer and enforce this act through such employment service and public employment offices as have been or may be constituted in accordance with the provisions of this act and existing laws. It shall have power and authority to adopt, amend, and rescind such rules and regulations, require such reports from employers, employes, the board and from any other person deemed by the department to be affected by this act, make such investigations, and take such other action as it deems necessary or suitable. Such rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this act. The department shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a biennial report covering the administration and operation of this act and shall make such recommendations for amendments to this act as it deems proper. The department shall establish procedures to identify the transfer or acquisition of a business in accordance with section 303(k)(1)(E) of the Social Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 503(k)(1)(E)). In the discharge of the duties imposed by this act, the Secretary and any agent duly authorized in writing by him shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, take depositions, and certify to official acts. The department shall have the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda and other records deemed necessary in the administration of this act.

(b) The department and the Department of Property and Supplies¹ are hereby authorized to acquire land and buildings or to use land in or in the immediate vicinity of the City of Harrisburg, now owned by the Commonwealth, deemed necessary by the Secretary of Labor and Industry, with the approval of the Governor, and in the case of the use of land now owned by the Commonwealth, the approval of the board or other agency of the Commonwealth having jurisdiction over the same, for the administration of this act.

As all property acquired under the provisions of this subsection shall be used exclusively for the performance of essential governmental functions, no taxes shall be required to be paid or assessments made upon any such property from the time that the Commonwealth actually takes title to such property in the event of outright purchase, or from the time that the Commonwealth takes possession of such property under a lease-purchase agreement as provided herein.