(1) The blind vendors committee shall:

(a) Actively participate with the department in major administrative decisions and policy and program development decisions affecting the overall administration of the vending facility program;

(b) Receive and transmit to the department grievances at the request of vendors, and serve as the advocates for such vendors in connection with such grievances;

(c) Actively participate with the department in the development and administration of the department's system for the transfer and promotion of vendors;

(d) Actively participate with the department in the development of training and retraining programs for vendors;

(e) Sponsor, with the assistance of the department, meetings and instructional conferences for vendors.

(2) The department is ultimately responsible for administration of the vending facility program. The department will consider any blind vendor committee written recommendation. If the department does not adopt recommendations proposed by the blind vendor's committee, the department shall notify the committee in writing within thirty days.