Sec. 12. (a) If the dean of agriculture approves the petition, in whole or as revised, the dean of agriculture shall call a referendum among producers of commercial quantities of the commodity to vote upon establishment of the proposed commodity market development program.

     (b) Before issuance of a notice of referendum on a proposed commodity market development program, the dean of agriculture shall establish the number of producers qualified of that particular agricultural commodity. The producers must register with the dean of agriculture, who shall maintain a list of those producers. At least twenty percent (20%) of the producers must register before a referendum may be held. The dean of agriculture shall establish a registration period for establishing, continuing, changing, or terminating a marketing program after the dean of agriculture calls for a referendum. Postdating of a registration is void. The producer or handler list established under this subsection is final and conclusive in making determinations relative to the assent of producers upon the issuance, amendment, or termination of a commodity market development program.

     (c) The dean of agriculture shall publish a notice of referendum to the attention of producers in the newspapers or trade journals within the affected area that the dean of agriculture prescribes. The dean of agriculture may also mail notice to all producers or handlers on the current list of producers.

     (d) If the majority of those who actually vote favor the adoption of the proposal in the petition, the dean of agriculture shall declare the proposal to be adopted.

     (e) A proposal to change the amount of the fee or to make other major changes in the program may be made only if a proposal for the change is adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the commodity market development council or by petition of twenty-five percent (25%) of the agricultural commodity producers. The proposal must then be submitted to a referendum under which the same percentages of votes favoring the proposal (by number and production) are required for approval as were required for establishment of the original market development program.

     (f) A proposal to terminate a commodity market development program may be made only if a proposal for termination is adopted by a majority of the commodity market development council or by petition of two percent (2%) of the agricultural commodity producers. The proposed termination must be submitted to a referendum under which a simple majority of those voting in favor of termination of the program is required for termination.

     (g) A referendum to:

(1) set up a commodity market development council for a particular commodity;

(2) change the amount of fee;

(3) make other major changes; or

(4) terminate a commodity market development council;

may not be held within twelve (12) months of a referendum conducted for a similar purpose for the same agricultural commodity.

     (h) If the amount of refund requests under section 18 of this chapter exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount collected under this chapter for a fiscal year, the dean of agriculture shall conduct a referendum on the continuation of the commodity market development council.

     (i) Any eligible producer may register to participate in a referendum on the continuation or termination of a program. Registration for such a referendum may not be limited to those producers who registered for the referendum to establish the program.

[Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-4-3.5-5.]

As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.130-2011, SEC.3.