§6209 Initial Referendum

Summary

The Secretary must hold a vote among lime producers, producer-handlers, and importers no later than 30 months after assessments start. Only people who are not exempt from the assessment and who produced or imported limes during a representative period set by the Secretary can vote. The vote decides if the order stays in effect: it continues only if a majority of those voting approve. Ballots and any information that could show how a person voted must stay secret. Ten percent of the assessments collected before the vote results are announced must be put in an escrow account until the results are published. If the order is approved, those funds can be used for the program. If the order is rejected, eligible people can ask for refunds. If the escrow money is not enough to pay all refund requests, refunds are split fairly among claimants. To get a refund, a person must apply in person on the Board’s form within the time set by the Board (but at least 90 days after the results are published) and prove they paid the assessment and did not pass it on to someone else. Any leftover escrow money not refunded may be used for the program.