It shall be the duty of the committee:

(a) To act as intermediary between the Secretary and any producer or handler;

(b) To select a chairman and such other officers as may be necessary, to select subcommittees of committee members, and to adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may deem advisable;

(c) To appoint such employees, agents, and representatives as it may deem necessary and to determine the salaries and define the duties of each such person;

(d) To investigate, from time to time, and to assemble data on the growing, harvesting, shipping and marketing conditions with respect to potatoes, and to engage in such research and service activities which relate to the handling or marketing of potatoes as may be approved by the Secretary;

(e) To furnish to the Secretary such available information as he may request;

(f) To keep minutes, books, and records which clearly reflect all of the acts and transactions of the committee and such minutes, books, and records shall be subject to examination at any time by the Secretary or his authorized agent or representative;

(g) To make available to producers and handlers the committee voting record on recommended regulations and on other matters of policy;

(h) At the beginning of each fiscal period to submit to the Secretary a budget of its expenses for such fiscal period, together with a report thereon;

(i) To cause the books of the committee to be audited by a competent accountant at least once each fiscal period, and at such other time as the committee may deem necessary or as the Secretary may request. The report of such audit shall show the receipt and expenditure of funds collected pursuant to this subpart; a copy of each such report shall be furnished to the Secretary and a copy of each such report shall be made available at the principal office of the committee for inspection by producers and handlers; and

(j) To consult, cooperate and exchange information when deemed desirable by the committee with other potato marketing committees and other individuals or agencies in connection with all proper committee activities and objectives under this subpart.