(a) The Arkansas Wine Producers Council shall have the authority and responsibility to promote research concerning the production of wine grapes and the manufacture of wine in Arkansas and to take any other action it deems necessary or appropriate to promote and support the Arkansas native wine industry.
(b) The council shall have the exclusive authority to expend any and all funds deposited into the Arkansas Wine Producers Council Fund in the State Treasury for promoting research concerning the production of wine grapes and the manufacture of wine in Arkansas and for promoting the Arkansas native wine industry through the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission.
(c) The council shall consider proposals for research projects submitted by university research institutions relating to the production of wine grapes and the manufacture of wine in Arkansas and proposals which promote the Arkansas native wine industry and tourism related to the industry submitted by the commission.
(d) Upon approval by a majority vote of the council of a proposal for research by a university research institution or for promotion or tourism by the commission, the council shall direct the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State to transfer on the Department of Finance and Administration books, and shall cause to be transferred on the books of the Treasurer of State and the Auditor of State, such amounts as determined by the council from the Arkansas Wine Producers Council Fund to the Department of Commerce Fund Account and to the operating fund or fund accounts of approved research institutions. Use of these funds may be applied as prescribed in this section in the various states of the United States and foreign countries.