§6011 Requirement of referendum

Summary

Within 24 months after the pecan plan starts, the Secretary must hold a vote of pecan growers, grower-shellers, and importers who were active during a time the Secretary picks. The vote asks whether they want the plan to continue, stop, or be paused. After that vote, the Secretary must also hold another vote if the Board or at least 10 percent of those growers, grower-shellers, and importers ask for it. If more than half of the people who vote choose to suspend or end the plan, the Secretary must do so under the rules for ending or pausing the plan. The costs the Department spends to run any of these votes (except government employee pay) will be paid from the Board’s collected assessments. The Secretary decides how the votes are run. Voters must register in person at the local Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office before voting, or importers can mail a request. Voting is done in person at that office or by mail to the Secretary. Each local office must tell all local growers, grower-shellers, and importers about the vote and explain how to register and vote at least 30 days before the vote.