The powers and duties of the commission shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(a)
To adopt, and from time to time, alter, rescind, modify, and amend all proper and necessary bylaws, rules, regulations, and orders for carrying out the provisions of this chapter, including rules for regulation of appeals from any bylaw, rule, regulation, or order of the commission.
(b)
To administer and enforce this chapter, and to do and perform all acts and exercise all powers incidental to, or in connection with or deemed reasonably necessary for, proper or advisable effectuation of the purposes of this chapter.
(c)
To appoint its own officers, including a chairman, one or more vice chairmen, and such other officers as it deems necessary. The officers shall have the powers and duties delegated to them by the commission.
(d)
To employ a person to serve, at the pleasure of the commission, as chief executive officer of the commission and other personnel, including legal counsel, that is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The commission may retain a management firm or any staff from any board, commission, or committee of the state to perform the functions prescribed by this subdivision under the control of the commission. If the chief executive officer engages in any conduct which the director determines is not in the public interest or which is in violation of this chapter, the director shall notify the commission of the conduct and request that corrective and, if appropriate, disciplinary action be taken by the commission. In the event that the commission fails or refuses to correct the situation or to take disciplinary action satisfactory to the director, the director may suspend or discharge the chief executive officer.
(e)
To fix the compensation for all employees of the commission.
(f)
To appoint committees composed of both members and nonmembers of the commission to advise the commission in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
(g)
To establish offices and incur expenses, and to enter into any and all contracts and agreements, and to create such liabilities and borrow such funds in advance of receipt of assessments as may be necessary, in the opinion of the commission, for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and the performance of its duties.
(h)
To keep accurate books, records and accounts of all of its dealings, which books, records and accounts shall be subject to an annual audit by an auditing firm selected by the commission with the concurrence of the director. The audit shall be made a part of an annual report to all producers and handlers of wheat, copies of which shall also be submitted to the Legislature and the Department of Food and Agriculture. In addition, the director may, as he determines necessary, conduct, or cause to be conducted, a fiscal and compliance audit of the commission.
(i)
To promote the sale of wheat by advertising and other promotional means, including cost-sharing advertising, for the purpose of maintaining and expanding present markets and creating new and larger intrastate, interstate, and foreign markets for wheat and to educate and instruct the public with respect to the uses of the several varieties and the healthful properties and nutritional value of wheat.
(j)
To appoint an advisory committee composed of handlers to aid the commission in its deliberations.
(k)
To make, in the name of the commission, contracts to render service in formulating and conducting plans and programs, and such other contracts or agreements as the commission may deem necessary for the promotion of the sale of wheat.
(l)
To conduct and contract with others to conduct scientific research, including the study, analysis, dissemination, and accumulation of information obtained from this research or elsewhere respecting cultural and production practices, marketing, and distribution of wheat. In connection with research, the commission shall have the power to accept contributions of, or to match, private, state, or federal funds that may be available for those purposes, and to employ or make contributions of funds to other persons or state or federal agencies conducting the research.
(m)
To publish and distribute, without charge, a bulletin or other communication for dissemination of information relating to the wheat industry to producers and handlers.
(n)
To establish an assessment rate to defray operating costs of the commission.
(o)
To establish an annual budget according to accepted accounting practices. The budget shall be concurred in by the director prior to disbursement of funds, except for disbursements made pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 72081.
(p)
To educate and instruct wheat customers and buyers with respect to proper methods of handling and selling wheat, to make market surveys and analyses, to present facts to, and negotiate with, state, federal and foreign agencies on matters which affect the marketing of wheat, and to maintain and expand present markets and create new markets for wheat.
(q)
The commission may investigate and prosecute civil violations of this chapter and file complaints with appropriate law enforcement agencies or officers for criminal violation of this chapter.