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Title 7, AgricultureRelease 119-110

§4611 Requirements of Referendum

Title 7 › CHAPTER 77 — HONEY RESEARCH, PROMOTION, AND CONSUMER INFORMATION › § 4611

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must hold a vote of honey producers, importers, and, if the order charges handlers, handlers who were active during a time the Secretary picks. People who are legally exempt do not vote. An order only takes effect if a majority of voters approve it and those who approve account for at least 50 percent of the honey volume produced, imported, or handled by voters during that period. Producer-packers and importers who owe handler fees get one vote as a handler and one vote as a producer or importer, and the honey amounts they are charged on count with the vote type. The Secretary can change an order using the usual rulemaking steps, but cannot change parts that need voter approval without getting that approval again. Ballots and any information that could identify a voter or their choice must be kept strictly confidential.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §4611

Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general
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)Effectiveness of order
(1)In general
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)Amendments to orders
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)Producer-packers and importers
(1)In general
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)Attribution of quantity of honey
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)Confidentiality
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.

Legislative History

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.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 4611

Title 7, Agriculture

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110