§4611 — Title 7 Agriculture | U.S. Code

Summary

The Secretary must hold a vote (a referendum) of the honey producers, importers, and any handlers covered by the order who were active during a representative period. People exempt under section 4606(e)(4) are not included. An order only becomes effective if a majority of those voting approve it and those approving voters account for at least 50 percent of the total quantity of honey or honey products produced, imported, or handled during that period by the voters. The Secretary can change an order using the procedures in sections 4604 and 4605, but cannot change parts that require referendum approval unless the referendum approves. Producer-packers and importers who also handle honey get one vote as a handler and one vote as a producer or importer (unless exempt), and the quantities they owe assessments on count with the matching vote. All ballots and any reports that could identify a voter or their choice must be kept strictly confidential.

Title 7, §4611

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)For the purpose of ascertaining whether issuance of an order is approved by producers, importers, and in the case of an order assessing handlers, handlers, the Secretary shall conduct a referendum among producers, importers, and, in the case of an order assessing handlers, handlers, not exempt under section 4606(e)(4) of this title, that, during a representative period determined by the Secretary, have been engaged in the production, importation, or handling of honey or honey products.

(b)(1)No order issued under this chapter shall be effective unless the Secretary determines that—

(A)the order is approved by a majority of the producers, importers, and if covered by the order, handlers, voting in the referendum; and

(B)the producers, importers, and handlers comprising the majority produced, imported, and handled not less than 50 percent of the quantity of the honey and honey products produced, imported, and handled during the representative period by the persons voting in the referendum.

(2)The Secretary may amend an order in accordance with the administrative procedures specified in section 4604 and 4605 of this title, except that the Secretary may not amend a provision of an order that implements a provision of this chapter that specifically provides for approval in a referendum without the approval provided for in this section.

(c)(1)Each producer-packer and each importer shall have 1 vote as a handler as well as 1 vote as a producer or importer (unless exempt under section 4606(e)(4) of this title) in all referenda concerning orders assessing handlers to the extent that the individual producer-packer or importer owes assessments as a handler.

(2)For the purpose of subsection (b)(1)(B)—

(A)the quantity of honey or honey products on which the qualifying producer-packer or importer owes assessments as a handler shall be attributed to the person’s vote as a handler under paragraph (1); and

(B)the quantity of honey or honey products on which the producer-packer or importer owes an assessment as a producer or importer shall be attributed to the person’s vote as a producer or importer.

(d)The ballots and other information or reports that reveal, or tend to reveal, the identity or vote of any producer, importer, or handler of honey or honey products shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1998—Pub. L. 105–185 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For the purpose of ascertaining whether issuance of an order is approved or favored by producers and importers, the Secretary shall conduct a referendum among those producers and importers not exempt under section 4606(e)(2) of this title who, during a representative period determined by the Secretary, have been engaged in the production and importation of honey. No order issued pursuant to this chapter shall be effective unless the Secretary determines that the issuance of such an order is approved or favored by not less than two-thirds of the producers and importers voting in such referendum or by a majority of the producers and importers voting in such referendum if such majority produced and imported not less than two-thirds of the honey produced and imported during the representative period. The ballots and other information or reports which reveal, or tend to reveal, the vote of any producer or importer of honey shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed.”

§4611 Requirements of referendum

Summary

Title 7, §4611

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata