(a) The North Carolina Wine and Grape Growers Council shall consist of 10 members who shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture as provided in this section. The members of the Council shall be divided into an advisory committee for the Vinifera Group and an advisory committee for the Muscadines Group for the purpose of performing the powers and duties prescribed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-437.90 and for the purpose of promoting North Carolina wineries and tourism related to the wineries.

(b) Each advisory committee shall consist of five members, who shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture to serve two-year terms, which shall be staggered. The members appointed shall be chosen from among individuals who have education or experience in the wine industry or in the field of tourism. No member of an advisory committee may serve for more than two consecutive terms. Initial terms shall commence September 1, 2011.

(c) Each advisory committee shall meet at least twice each calendar year during which time each committee shall discuss issues related to the Council’s powers and duties, including ways in which to promote and advertise North Carolina wineries and ways in which to improve, use, and distribute State maps showing winery locations. The Vinifera Group shall meet at the NC Shelton Badgett Viticulture Center at Surry Community College, and the Muscadines Group shall meet at Duplin Community College. After each meeting, each advisory committee shall report to the Commissioner of Agriculture with its recommendations. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, committee members shall receive no salary, per diem, subsistence, travel reimbursement, or other stipend or reimbursement as a result of serving on their respective committees.

(d) Each advisory committee shall elect from the membership of each committee a chair and vice-chair. Vacancies resulting from the resignation of a member or otherwise shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made, and the term shall be for the balance of the unexpired term. A majority of the members of each committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at meetings of each committee shall be necessary for action to be taken by the committee. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 974, s. 1; 1997-261, s. 109; 2005-380, s. 4(a); 2006-264, s. 98.3; 2011-145, s. 14.3B; 2011-391, s. 38.1(b), (c); 2012-142, s. 13.9A(b).)