Maine § 2993. - Powers and duties

§ 2993.. Powers and duties

The board is created to promote the prosperity and welfare of this State and of the dairy industry of the State by fostering promotional, educational, advertising and research programs of the dairy industry. The board has the following powers and duties. The board:   [PL 1991, c. 376, §28 (NEW).]

1.  Contracts and agreements.  May make or enter into contracts or agreements with any local, state, federal or private agency, department, firm, corporation or association for the purposes defined in this chapter. The contracts or agreements may include, without limitation, those relating to the lease or purchase of office space, facilities, property, equipment and supplies as the board determines necessary for its purposes. The board may delegate to its executive director the power to enter into the contracts or agreements, subject to the board's oversight;

2.  Cooperation with other agencies.  Shall cooperate with other state or regional agencies with like purposes, including transferring to those agencies any portion of its receipts that it determines appropriate and in the best interests of the dairy industry in the State. In determining those amounts, the board shall consider the relative benefits accruing to all Maine producers from increased fluid milk consumption within the Maine market and the New England market, Federal Milk Marketing Order No. 1; the relative effectiveness of the various programs intended to increase fluid milk consumption for which funding is being considered; appropriate research needs; and other considerations pertinent to the distribution of its funds to other agencies for cooperative efforts;

3.  Books and records.  Shall keep books, records and accounts of all its activities, which must be open to inspection and audit by the State at all times. An independent certified public accountant shall conduct an annual audit of the financial records of the board and report the results of the audit to the board, the commissioner, the Treasurer of State and the Legislature;

4.  Annual report.  Shall prepare an annual report that must include a summary of all receipts and expenditures, including expenditures for specific promotional or research programs; a description of the various promotional or research programs operated, contracted or sponsored by the board; and a directory of current board members, including their affiliation and term of office; and

5.  Funding.  May receive and expend funds from any source, public or private, that it determines necessary to carry out its purposes.