2-3005. Grain commodity commissions; powers and duties; limitations. (a) In the administration of this act, each commission as provided in this act shall have the following duties, authorities and powers:

(1) To conduct a campaign of grain commodity promotion and market development through research, education and information;

(2) to accept grants and donations;

(3) to sue and be sued;

(4) to contract with the secretary for the collection of assessments pursuant to the provisions of this act and to enter into any other such contracts as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of this act;

(5) to appoint an administrator who is knowledgeable about the grain commodity and fix the compensation. With the approval of the commission, the administrator may appoint such other personnel as needed. The administrator and any other personnel appointed as provided in this subsection shall not be employees of the state of Kansas;

(6) to cooperate or contract with any local, state or national organization or agency, whether voluntary or created by the law of any state, or by national law, engaged in work or activities similar to the work and activities of the commission, and to enter into contracts and agreements with such organizations or agencies for carrying on a joint campaign of research, education and promotion;

(7) to bring any suit or action for the collection of assessments provided under this act;

(8) to establish an office of administrator at any place in this state the commission may select;

(9) to adopt, rescind, modify and amend all necessary and proper orders, resolutions and rules and regulations for the procedure and exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties;

(10) to approve an annual budget and establish a reserve. Each project budgeted and approved by the commission shall include a stated objective and anticipated results; and

(11) to report annually to their respective commodity growers, the secretary and house and senate agriculture committees of the Kansas legislature. Such annual report shall include details of commission projects, programs and supported research including expenditures and the results of an annual audit performed by a person or entity that is a certified public accountant. Any commission year end reserve balance exceeding 125% of the previous five-year rolling average for annual expenditures for such commission also shall be reported.

(b) Each commission as provided in this act shall not engage in lobbying as defined in K.S.A. 46-255, and amendments thereto. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit any commission from engaging in any action designed to market the respective commodity or products directly to a foreign government or political subdivision thereof.

History: L. 1977, ch. 4, § 5; L. 1991, ch. 6, § 2; L. 1996, ch. 209, § 15; L. 2000, ch. 116, § 4; L. 2008, ch. 94, § 3; April 24.