KRS 248.520: Duties of board.

The Kentucky Tobacco Research Board shall:

(1) Formulate policies and procedures as necessary to carry out the provisions of KRS

248.510 to 248.570.

(2) Promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of KRS

248.510 to 248.570 and to ensure proper expenditure of state funds ap propriated for

the purposes of KRS 248.510 to 248.570.

(3) Review and authorize research projects and programs to be undertaken and financed

under the provisions of KRS 248.510 to 248.570.

(a) The facilities designated the Tobacco and Health Research Insti tute before

July 15, 2002, shall be retained and operated by the University of Kentucky

exclusively for the program and activities described in KRS 248.580.

(b) In addition to the research and development funded by authority of the

Kentucky Tobacco Researc h Board, the board is authorized to allow other

research operations having related or complementary interests to share this

physical facility with the Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development

Center, subject to approval of the board.

(4) Review and approv e all progress and final research reports on projects authorized

under the provisions of KRS 248.510 to 248.570.

(5) Ensure that state funds, appropriated by KRS 248.510 to 248.570 or any other act

for tobacco research, are not diverted to any other use an d that all authorized

research projects are directed toward:

(a) Preserving and strengthening tobacco agriculture in Kentucky;

(b) Facilitating the progress of commercial endeavors in crop agriculture which

have potential to provide entirely new market opp ortunities for tobacco

growers; and

(c) Applying, when appropriate, previously authorized research initially

conducted with tobacco to other plants which might be grown commercially in

Kentucky, thus obtaining the fullest possible practical benefit from th e

research progress.

(6) Provide the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative Research

Commission an annual report by January 30 of each year showing the status of

funds appropriated under KRS 248.510 to 248.570 for tobacco research and the

progress of the board in terms of the results of its tobacco research efforts.

(7) Advise the General Assembly by January 30 during each even -numbered-year

regular session of the need for continuation of the Kentucky Tobacco Research

Board and the tax levied b y Chapter 255 of the Acts of 1970 for the purpose of

financing tobacco and related new crops research programs as provided by KRS

248.510 to 248.570.

(8) Approve and release public statements relating to the progress and results of

research projects.