(a) A Tennessee dairy promotion committee shall be established, which shall consist of an odd number of members with no fewer than five (5) and no more than eleven (11) members. The commissioner shall be an ex officio member with nonvoting status.

(b) The committee shall be organized as a statewide committee appointed by the commissioner from nominations received from agricultural dairy cooperatives and individual producers who are not members of agricultural dairy cooperatives in the state of Tennessee, and shall be known as the Tennessee dairy promotion committee. Nominating procedures, qualifications, representation, and term of office shall be prescribed by the commissioner. The committee shall be composed of producers directly affected by the assessments in proportional representation by method of marketing either through agricultural dairy cooperatives or by direct sale, as the program shall prescribe.

(c) A member of the committee shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter, and fifty dollars ($50.00) per diem while attending meetings of the committee or engaged in the performance of official responsibilities delegated by the committee.

(d) The duties and responsibilities of the committee shall be prescribed by the commissioner and, to the extent applicable, shall include the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) Developing and recommending to the commissioner administrative rules and procedures relating to the assessment;

(2) Recommending to the commissioner such amendments to the administrative procedures as may be deemed advisable;

(3) Preparing and effectuating the estimated budget required for the proper operation of the committee;

(4) Developing methods for assessing producers, and methods for collecting the necessary funds;

(5) Collecting and assembling information and data necessary for the proper administration of the assessment program;

(6) Contracting with existing non-brand dairy promotion organizations; and

(7) Performing any other duties necessary for the operation of the dairy industry promotion program in coordination with the commissioner.