Section 5-505.5 - Pennsylvania distilled spirits industry promotion board.(a) The Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board is established.(b) The Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board shall be composed of the following members: (1) One member appointed by the Governor.(2) Four members appointed by the General Assembly as follows:(i) One individual appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.(ii) One individual appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.(iii) One individual appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.(iv) One individual appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.(c) Each member must be a resident of this Commonwealth and have substantial experience or expertise in the Pennsylvania distilleries industry.(d) Each member shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.(e) The Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board has the following powers and duties: (1) Make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture to award grants to entities for the purpose of increasing the production of Pennsylvania-made spirits and enhancing the Pennsylvania distilled spirits industry through promotion, marketing and research-based programs and projects. Grants shall be awarded through a competitive grant review process. The application for a grant shall include the following information: (i) Purpose for which the grant will be utilized.(iv) Method for measuring outcome.(v) Other criteria required by the Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board.(2) Require each grant recipient to provide full and complete access to all records relating to the performance of the grant and to submit accurate information.(3) Conduct a thorough annual evaluation of each program for which a grant under this section is made.(4) Seek repayment of money upon a determination that the money was not utilized for the original stated purpose.(5) Submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing all grants and other actions.(f) The Department of Agriculture shall assist the Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board in carrying out its powers and duties. Final decisions for awarding grants under subsection (e)(1) shall be made by the Secretary of Agriculture.(g) Annually, the board shall allocate the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the purpose of awarding grants under subsection (e)(1).(h) The board shall transfer the annual allocation authorized under this section to the Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board account. The Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion board shall allocate money under this subsection for the purpose of awarding grants under subsection (e)(1). The following shall apply: (1) The Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board may deduct money from the allocation under this subsection to cover the Department of Agriculture's expenses in assisting the Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Promotion Board.(2) In any fiscal year when grant money authorized under this section remains unallocated, the remaining amount of money shall be made available for grants in subsequent fiscal years.(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all of the obligations of the board under this section are fulfilled by virtue of the transfer of the annual allocation under this subsection to the Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board.Added by P.L. (number not assigned at time of publication) 2024 No. 57,§ 12, eff. 9/13/2024.