§ 143-721. Benefits and administration of Fund for qualified agricultural programs. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 143‑721. Benefits and administration of Fund for qualified agricultural programs.

(a)        Funds held in the Fund may be expended on qualifiedagricultural programs as provided in this section.

(b)        In implementing qualified agricultural programs, the Commissionshall endeavor to identify those areas of the tobacco‑related segment ofthe State's economy in need of assistance to be provided by the Fund in orderto assure the continued vitality and solvency of those areas. The Commissionshall endeavor to select for funding qualified agricultural programs that willhave the greatest favorable impact on the long‑term health of the tobacco‑relatedeconomy of the State.

(c)        The benefits of qualified agricultural programs are notlimited to persons suffering economic loss resulting from the Master SettlementAgreement, but these programs shall be designed to foster, support, and assistthe tobacco‑related segment of the agricultural economy.

(d)        The Commission may solicit and accept proposals fromagencies and departments of the State, including institutions of The Universityof North Carolina, local units of government, the federal government, andmembers of the private sector for qualified agricultural programs to be fundedwith money held in the Fund. (2000‑147, s. 3.)