Duties of council.

The council shall: (a) Formulate and direct a program for the protection of individual consumers from harmful products and merchandise, false advertising and deceptive sales practices. (b) Formulate and conduct a program of research and education to eliminate fraudulent commercial practices. (c) Serve as a central coordinating agency and clearinghouse for activities and information concerning fraudulent commercial practices. (d) Advise the governor as to all matters affecting the interests of the people of the state as consumers and recommend to both the governor and the legislature the enactment of legislation necessary to protect and promote the interests of the people as consumers. (e) Advise the attorney general of any practice which requires investigations to determine if any law of the state is being violated. (f) Establish and maintain, as a service to the public, a toll free telephone line to its office which may be utilized by any person in the state. This telephone line shall be used to receive complaints from consumers and to refer consumers to the appropriate federal, state, local, or private agency which would handle the complaints.