(a) On the recommendation of the council, the commissioner shall conduct a referendum authorized under this subchapter.
(b) Only a producer who has owned cattle in the last 12 months before the date of the referendum is eligible to vote in the referendum.

(c) An eligible producer may vote only once in a referendum.
(d) Each producer’s vote is entitled to equal weight regardless of the producer’s volume of production.
(e) A referendum is approved if a simple majority of votes are cast in favor of the referendum.
(f) Individual voter information, including an individual’s vote in a referendum conducted under this section, is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
(g) The council shall pay all expenses incurred in conducting a referendum with funds collected from the beef industry.