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

(b)        In implementing qualified agricultural programs, the Commission shall endeavor to identify those areas of the tobacco-related segment of the State‘s economy in need of assistance to be provided by the Fund in order to assure the continued vitality and solvency of those areas. The Commission shall endeavor to select for funding qualified agricultural programs that will have the greatest favorable impact on the long-term health of the tobacco-related economy of the State.

(c)        The benefits of qualified agricultural programs are not limited to persons suffering economic loss resulting from the Master Settlement Agreement, but these programs shall be designed to foster, support, and assist the tobacco-related segment of the agricultural economy.

(d)       The Commission may solicit and accept proposals from agencies and departments of the State, including institutions of The University of North Carolina, local units of government, the federal government, and members of the private sector for qualified agricultural programs to be funded with money held in the Fund. (2000-147, s. 3.)