(a) The board of county commissioners of any county may declare the multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) or the bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), or both, to be a noxious weed within the boundaries of such county. In such event, all of the provisions of article 13 of chapter 2 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, that pertain to the control and eradication of noxious weeds shall apply to the control and eradication of the multiflora rose or the bull thistle, or both, within any such county.

(b) If the board of county commissioners of any county does not declare the multiflora rose or the bull thistle, or both, to be a noxious weed within the boundaries of such county, a petition requesting the secretary of agriculture to declare the multiflora rose or the bull thistle, or both, to be a noxious weed within the boundaries of such county, signed by not less than 5% of the qualified electors of the county, may be filed with the county election officer of the county. Upon receipt of any such petition, the county election officer shall certify the sufficiency of the petition and submit it to the secretary of agriculture. Thereupon, the secretary of agriculture may declare the multiflora rose or the bull thistle, or both, to be a noxious weed within the boundaries of such county. In such event, all of the provisions of article 13 of chapter 2 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, that pertain to the control and eradication of noxious weeds shall apply to the control and eradication of the multiflora rose or the bull thistle, or both, within any such county.

(c) The provisions of this section shall expire on December 1, 2020*.