(1) The Nebraska Craft Brewery Board is created. All board members shall be (a) citizens of Nebraska, (b) at least twenty-one years of age, and (c) either engaged in or previously engaged in the manufacture or the wholesale or retail sale of beer in this state or engaged or previously engaged in the production in this state of agricultural products that are utilized in the brewing process. The board shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the Governor on a nonpartisan basis. At least two board members shall be selected by the Governor from a list of no fewer than ten candidates submitted by the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild or its successor organization. In addition, at least two board members shall be selected by the Governor from a list of no fewer than ten candidates submitted by the Associated Beverage Distributors of Nebraska or its successor organization. The Director of Agriculture or his or her designee and the executive director of the Nebraska Tourism Commission or his or her designee shall be nonvoting, ex officio members of the board.

(2) Whenever a vacancy occurs on the board for any reason, the Governor shall appoint an individual to fill such vacancy pursuant to the qualifications set forth in subsection (1) of this section.

(1) Within thirty days after the appointment of the initial members of the Nebraska Craft Brewery Board, such board shall conduct its first regular meeting. During that meeting, the board members shall elect from among themselves, by majority vote, a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and treasurer, all to serve for terms of one year from the date of election. Subsequent board meetings shall take place at least once every six months and at such times as called by the chairperson or by any three board members.

(2) Each member shall serve for a term of three years, except that at the expiration of the terms of the members in 2022, the Governor shall appoint two members for a term of one year, two members for a term of two years, and three members for a term of three years, and their successors shall be appointed for a term of three years. Upon completion of a term, a member may, at the Governor's discretion, be reappointed.

(3) All voting members of the board shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred while engaged in the performance of official responsibilities as members of such board pursuant to sections 81-1174 to 81-1177.

(4) A member may be removed by the Governor for cause. The member shall first be given a written copy of the charges against him or her and also an opportunity to be heard publicly. If a member moves out of Nebraska, that shall be deemed sufficient cause for removal from office.

The Nebraska Craft Brewery Board has the following powers and duties:

(1) Establish a public forum to provide any manufacturer of beer or producer of agricultural products used in the brewing process the opportunity, at least once annually, to discuss with the board its policies and procedures;

(2) Keep minutes of its meetings and other books and records which will clearly reflect all of the acts and transactions of the board and to make these records available for examination upon request by members of the public;

(3) Authorize and approve the expenditure of funds collected pursuant to section 53-504;

(4) Serve as an advisory panel to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission in all matters pertaining to the beer industry; and

(5) Adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out sections 53-501 to 53-505.

(1) The Nebraska Beer Industry Promotional Fund is created. The fund shall consist of money credited pursuant to this section, fees received from shipping licenses issued to beer manufacturers pursuant to subsection (2) of section 53-123.15, gifts, grants, bequests, and any money appropriated by the Legislature. For administrative purposes, the fund shall be located in the Department of Agriculture.

(2) Beginning July 1, 2016, in addition to the annual license fee imposed by section 53-124.01, each holder of a craft brewery license shall pay an annual fee in the amount of two hundred fifty dollars to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission or shall opt out of paying the additional fee on forms provided by the commission. Fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the Nebraska Beer Industry Promotional Fund.

(3) The Department of Agriculture, at the direction of and in cooperation with the Nebraska Craft Brewery Board, shall use the Nebraska Beer Industry Promotional Fund to develop and maintain programs for the research and advancement of the beer brewing process, the marketing and promotion of the beer industry in Nebraska, and the marketing and promotion of agricultural products and their byproducts grown and produced in Nebraska for use in the beer industry. Such expenditures may include, but are not limited to, all necessary funding for the employment of experts in the field of beer brewing and business development, as deemed necessary by the board, and programs to carry out the purposes of this subsection. None of the money credited to the Nebraska Beer Industry Promotional Fund may be used for lobbying purposes.

(4) Money in the Nebraska Beer Industry Promotional Fund not expended during any fiscal year may be reappropriated for the ensuing biennium. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

(1) The Nebraska Craft Brewery Board shall publish an annual report on or before January 1 of each year which shall set forth in detail the following:

(a) The name and address of each board member and a copy of all rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the board; and

(b) A detailed explanation of all programs for which the board approved funding during the most recently completed fiscal year pursuant to section 53-504.

(2) Each annual report shall be presented electronically to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission within thirty days after its publication and made available also to any person who requests a copy. Except for the annual copy required by this section to be provided to the commission, the board may charge a nominal fee to cover the costs of printing and postage for making available copies of its annual reports.