Agricultural Economic Development Project Review Committee; powers and duties.

(1) There is created an Agricultural Economic Development Project Review Committee consisting of five members appointed by the commissioner. The members shall be appointed based upon the recommendations submitted by each entity represented on the committee and shall include:

(a) The commissioner or the commissioner’s designee.

(b) One representative from the Farm Credit Service.

(c) One representative from the Department of Commerce.

(d) One representative from the Florida Farm Bureau Federation.

(e) One agricultural economist from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences or from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

(2) The committee shall:

(a) Review each application for assistance that meets the basic program criteria.

(b) Make recommendations to the commissioner regarding all aspects of each eligible application, including the acceptance or rejection of each application.

(c) Prioritize the applications recommended for assistance.

(d) Forward all written comments and recommendations to the commissioner, which shall be included in the annual report of the department.

(3) If the commissioner does not accept the recommendations or priorities of the review committee, the annual report of the department shall include justification for any or all rejections.