This chapter, except as necessary to conduct an implementation referendum vote, shall not become operative until the secretary finds the following in a referendum vote conducted by the secretary:

(a) At least 40 percent of the total number of handlers from the list established by the secretary pursuant to this article participate, and that either of the following occurs:

(1) Sixty-five percent of the handlers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the handlers so voting handled a majority of the total quantity of rice handled in the preceding marketing season by all of the handlers voting in the referendum.

(2) A majority of the handlers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the handlers so voting handled 65 percent or more of the total quantity of rice handled in the preceding marketing season by all of the handlers voting in the referendum.

(b) At least 40 percent of the total number of producers from the list established by the secretary pursuant to this article participate, and that either of the following occurs:

(1) Sixty-five percent of the producers voting in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the producers so voting produced a majority of the total quantity of rice produced in the preceding marketing season by all of the producers voting in the referendum.

(2) A majority of the producers voting in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the producers so voting produced 65 percent or more of the total quantity of rice produced by all of the producers voting in the referendum.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 567, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)