106-755.1. North Carolina Wine and Grape Growers Council - Creation; powers and duties.
There is created the North Carolina Wine and Grape Growers Council of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The North Carolina Wine and Grape Growers Council shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To identify and implement methods for improving North Carolina's rank as a wine-producing State;
(2) To assure orderly growth and development of North Carolina's grape and wine industry;
(3) To achieve public awareness of the quality of North Carolina grapes and wine;
(4) To coordinate the interaction of North Carolina's grape and wine industry with other segments of the State's economy such as tourism, retail trade, and horticulture;
(5) To conduct methods of quality assurance of North Carolina's grape and wine industry to create a sound foundation for further growth;
(6) To assist in the coordination of the activities of the various State agencies and other organizations contributing to the development of the grape and wine industry;
(7) To receive and disburse funds;
(8) To enter into contracts for the purpose of developing new or improved markets or marketing methods for wine and grape products;
(9) To contract for research services to improve viticultural and enological practices in North Carolina;
(10) To enter into agreements with any local, state, or national organizations or agency engaged in education for the purpose of disseminating information on wine or other viticultural projects;
(11) To enter into contracts with commercial entities for the purpose of developing marketing, advertising, and other promotional programs designed to promote the orderly growth of the North Carolina grape and wine industry;
(12) To acquire any licenses or permits necessary for performance of the duties of the Council; and
(13) To develop a State Viticulture Plan that identifies problems and constraints of the viticultural industry, proposes solutions to those problems and delineates planning mechanisms for the orderly growth of the industry.
(14) By September 1 of each year, to report to the chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Natural, and Economic Resources, the chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division on the activities of the Council, the status of the wine and grape industry in North Carolina and the United States, progress on the development and implementation of the State Viticulture Plan, and any contracts or agreements entered into by the Council for research, education, or marketing.