§2712 Refund of Assessment From Egg Board

Summary

Egg producers who paid the required assessment but do not want to support the egg program can ask the Egg Board to give them their money back. The producer must apply personally, use the Board’s form and follow its rules (approved by the Secretary). The request must be made no later than 90 days after the month when the assessments were due. The producer must show proof they paid. If approved, the Board must pay the refund within 60 days of getting the request. The Secretary will change any rules that allow regular refunds so those refunds end. That change starts when the Secretary issues it and cannot be voted on for 18 months. During that 18-month period the Egg Board must set up an escrow account and put in 10 percent of assessments it collects. If the Secretary’s change later fails in a referendum, any producer who paid assessments during that 18-month window and opposed the program can ask for one one-time refund under the Board’s rules and with proof. If the escrow money is not enough to cover all requests, refunds will be split pro rata among eligible producers.