The powers and duties of the commission shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Elect a chairperson and other officers as it may deem advisable, and delegate duties as may be advisable.

(b) Adopt and from time to time alter, rescind, modify, and amend all proper and necessary rules, procedures, and orders for the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties, including rules of procedure for appeals from any rule, procedure, or order of the commission.

(c) Administer and enforce this chapter, and do and perform all acts and exercise all powers incidental to or in connection with or deemed reasonably necessary, proper, or advisable to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(d) Employ or retain a person to serve at the pleasure of the commission as president and chief executive officer of the commission, and other personnel, including private legal counsel of its choice, necessary to carry out this chapter. The commission may fix the compensation for all employees of the commission. The commission may retain a management firm or the staff from any board, commission, or committee of the state or federal government to perform the functions prescribed by this section under the direction of the commission.

(e) Establish offices and incur expenses, and enter into any and all contracts and agreements, and create liabilities and borrow funds in advance or receipt of assessments as may be necessary, at the discretion of the commission, for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and the performance if its duties.

(f) Maintain accurate books, records, and accounts of all its dealings, which shall be subject to an annual audit by an auditing firm selected by the commission with the concurrence of the secretary. A summary of the audit shall be reported to all persons subject to this chapter, a copy of which shall also be submitted to the department. In addition, the secretary may, as he or she determines necessary, conduct or cause to be conducted a fiscal and compliance audit of the commission.

(g) Present facts to, and negotiate with, local, state, federal, and foreign agencies on matters affecting the winegrape, wine, and winegrape products industries.

(h) Appoint committees composed of both members and nonmembers of the commission.

(i)  Promote the sale of winegrapes, wine, and winegrape products by advertising and other similar means for the purpose of maintaining and expanding present markets and creating new and larger intrastate and foreign markets for winegrapes, assess and address the impact of local, state, federal and foreign regulations on the winegrape products industries, and seek the elimination of tariff and nontariff trade barriers.

(j)  Educate and instruct the consuming public with respect to winegrapes, wine, and winegrape products, including, but not limited to, the uses, healthful properties and dietetic value of these commodities, and the environmental protection and conservation issues relating to the production of winegrapes.

(k)  Educate and instruct the wholesale, food service, and retail trade with respect to proper methods of handling and marketing of winegrapes, wine, and winegrape products, arrange for the performance of merchandising work providing display and other promotional materials, conduct market surveys and analysis, assist local, state, and federal agencies in negotiating with foreign governments regarding issues affecting market access, including, but not limited to, resolving phytosanitary issues, developing shipping protocols, limiting chemical residues, and addressing packaging, labeling, and other issues raised by countries imposing trade barriers on the import of agricultural products into their markets, and undertake any other similar activities that the commission may determine appropriate for the maintenance and expansion of present markets and the creation of new and larger markets for winegrapes, wine, and winegrape products.

(l)  Conduct, and contract with others to conduct, scientific and other research, including the study, analysis, dissemination and accumulation of information obtained from research or elsewhere respecting the production, cultural practices, nutritional and dietetic value, processing, storage, refrigeration, inspection, transportation, marketing and distribution of winegrapes, wine, and winegrape products.

(m)  Accept contributions of private, local, state, or federal funds, and make contributions of commission funds, or match contributions, to other persons or to local, state, or federal agencies for purposes of promoting, enhancing and maintaining the Mendocino County winegrape, wine, and winegrape products industries.

(n) Cooperate with governmental or private entities in the resolution of emergencies arising in the industry and impacting the health and safety of the public or the continued stability of the industry.

(o) Collect information, including, but not limited to, industry crop statistics, and publish and distribute without charge, a bulletin or other communication to persons subject to this chapter.

(p) Establish an assessment rate to defray operating costs of the commission.

(q) Establish an annual budget according to generally accepted accounting practices. The budget shall be concurred in by the secretary prior to disbursement of funds, except for disbursements made for the payment of employees.

(r) Submit to the secretary for his or her concurrence an annual statement of contemplated activities authorized pursuant to this chapter.

(s) Keep confidential and not disclose, except when required by a court order after a hearing in a judicial proceeding involving this chapter, all information deemed proprietary or trade secret by the commission. The Legislature finds and declares that this provision is required to ensure that producer and vintner proprietary and trade secret information shall not be disclosed. The commission shall establish procedures to provide producers and vintners access to communicate with other producers and vintners regarding noncommercial matters affecting the commission so long as the access does not directly or indirectly release proprietary or trade secret information in the possession of the commission.

(t) Investigate and prosecute civil violations of this chapter and file complaints with appropriate law enforcement agencies or officers for suspected criminal violations of this chapter.

(u) Administer any program that is engaged in activities authorized by this chapter upon the request of an authorized agent of the program.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 597, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)