(a) Qualified industry organizations shall conduct at their own expense, a referendum among producers and retail marketers for the creation of an Illinois Propane Education and Research Council. The Council, if established, shall reimburse the qualified industry organizations for the cost of the referendum accounting and documentation. The referendum shall be conducted by an independent auditing firm agreed to by the qualified industry organizations. The results, as certified by an independent auditing firm, shall be submitted to the Director within 30 days of certification. Voting rights in the referendum shall be based on the volume of propane produced or odorized propane sold in the previous calendar year. Upon approval of those persons representing two-thirds of the total volume of propane voted in the retail marketer class and two-thirds of all propane voted in the producer class, the Council shall be established, and shall be authorized to levy an assessment on odorized propane in accordance with Section 20. All persons voting in the referendum shall certify to the independent auditing firm the volume of propane represented by their vote.
     (b) On the Council’s own initiative, or on petition to the Council by producers and retail marketers representing 35% of the volume of propane in each class, the Council shall, at its own expense, hold a referendum to be conducted by an independent auditing firm selected by the Council, to determine whether the industry favors termination or suspension of the Council. Termination or suspension shall not take effect unless it is approved by persons representing more than one-half of the total volume of odorized propane in the retail marketer class and more than one-half the total volume of propane in the producer class.