The Governor is empowered to authorize a referendum in accordance with the requirements of Section 218(d)(3) of the Social Security Act on the question of whether services in positions covered by the Superior Court Judges Retirement Fund of Georgia, Chapter 8 of this title, shall be excluded from or included under an agreement under this chapter with an effective date of July 1, 1956. If the referendum results in an affirmative vote, employee contributions required for social security coverage shall be deducted by The Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia and remitted to the state agency, together with the required employer contributions. The Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia is authorized and directed to pay the required employer contribution from the funds appropriated for the operation of the superior courts of the state.