The duties of the council are advisory, except for those duties that may be delegated to it by the secretary. The council may, subject to the approval of the secretary, exercise any of the following powers:
(a) To recommend to the secretary administrative regulations that relate to the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
(b) To investigate all matters that affect the administration of this chapter, and to report violations of it to the secretary.
(c) To employ and, at its pleasure, discharge a manager and any clerical help and other employees that it deems necessary, and to prescribe their powers and duties and fix their compensation.
(d) To contract with, or employ, and, at its pleasure, discharge any consultants and agencies that it deems necessary, and to outline their powers and duties and fix their compensation.
(e) To establish offices and incur expenses incidental to those offices.
(f) To recommend to the secretary the making of contracts and other agreements that may be necessary to conduct nutrition research, communication, and education activities of the council.
(g) To cooperate with any other local, state, or national commission, organization, or agency, whether voluntary or created by state or national law, that is engaged in work or activities similar to the work and activities of the council, and recommend to the secretary the making of contracts and agreements with these organizations or agencies for carrying on joint campaigns of research, education, and advertising. In matters of research, the council shall, however, cooperate with organizations of recognized professional standing that are adequately equipped with facilities for the research that is contemplated.
(h) To recommend to the secretary the institution and promotion of scientific research to develop or discover, or both to develop and discover, the health, food, therapeutic, dietetic, and industrial uses of milk and its products and derivatives.
(i) To cooperate with other public and private agencies that are engaged in similar work or activities in order to avoid or minimize any overlapping or duplication of work or conflict.
(j) To receive, invest, and disburse funds, pursuant to Article 11 (commencing with Section 64300).
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 304, Sec. 86. (AB 590) Effective January 1, 2020.)