KRS 260.166: Powers and duties of Kentucky Grape and Wine Council.

(1) The Kentucky Grape and Wine Council, created in KRS 260.165 to promote and

facilitate the development of a grape, grape products, and wine industry, may:

(a) Conduct and contract with others to conduct research on grapes, grape

products, and wine in Kentuc ky and elsewhere for use in Kentucky, including

but not limited to:

1. Methods of marketing, market development, and distribution;

2. Methods of storage, refrigeration, processing, and transportation;

3. Methods of production and product development;

4. Methods of agronomic, enological, and viticultural practices to improve

these practices in Kentucky; and

5. Economic benefits and impact from the industry;

(b) Publish and provide and contract with others to publish and provide

wholesalers and retailers in t he Kentucky grape, grape products, and wine

industry with information on proper methods of handling and selling grapes,

grape products, and wine;

(c) Publish and provide and contract with others to publish and provide producers

of Kentucky grapes, grape pr oducts, and wine, as well as the general public,

with information relating to Kentucky grapes, grape products, and wine; and

(d) Design and implement or contract with others to design and implement

activities relating to Kentucky grapes, grape products, and wine, including but

not limited to:

1. Market surveys and analyses;

2. Industry promotion programs;

3. Market maintenance and expansion plans;

4. Education programs;

5. Public relations programs;

6. Economic impact analyses; and

7. Other analysis or research relating to the promotion and sale of

Kentucky grapes, grape products, and wine.

(2) The Kentucky Grape and Wine Council, to the extent that funds are available, shall:

(a) Promote the sale of grapes, grape products, and wine for the purpose of

maintaining and expanding present markets and creating new markets for

Kentucky grapes, grape products, and wine for the maximum economic

impact on the agricultural economy of Kentucky;

(b) Inform the public, producers, and vendors about Ke ntucky grapes, grape

products, and wine, including uses and benefits of these products;

(c) Advise the Commissioner to:

1. Expend moneys from the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council fund

created in KRS 260.168 to carry out the duties and recommendations of

the council; and

2. Hire staff to carry out the duties and recommendations of the council;

and

3. Promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the duties and

recommendations of the council;

(d) Coordinate with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and other state

agencies in carrying out these duties;

(e) Report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the activities of

the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council; and

(f) Report by November 1 of each year to the Interim Joint Committee on

Licensing and Occupations of the Kentucky General Assembly and the

Agricultural Development Board on the coordination between Kentucky

wineries and Kentucky wholesalers to promote the availability of Kentucky

wine to retailers.