25-160. REFERENDUM FOR WOOL GROWERS. Prior to the provisions of this act becoming effective, a referendum shall be held to determine if producers favor the provisions of this act. The question shall be submitted by secret ballot upon which the words "Do you favor a promotion, research, and education program for the Idaho sheep industry that is funded by all producers with no refund provision?" are printed with a square before each of the words "YES" and "NO" with directions to insert an "X" mark in the square before the proposition which the voter favors. If a majority of the producers voting in the referendum or a majority of the production represented by the producers voting in the referendum vote in favor of the question submitted, the provisions of this act shall become effective.

(1) The procedures necessary to initiate a referendum in subsequent years, but not less than five (5) years from the passage of the initial referendum, are as follows:

(a) A referendum shall be held if the Idaho department of agriculture receives a petition requesting such referendum signed by ten percent (10%) or more of sheep producers who have paid an assessment to the Idaho sheep and goat health board in either of the two (2) immediate past calendar years; or

(b) A referendum shall be held if the Idaho department of agriculture receives a written request for such referendum from the Idaho sheep and goat health board.

(2) (a) Any referendum shall be conducted only among sheep producers who paid an assessment to the Idaho sheep and goat health board during one (1) of the two (2) years prior to the referendum.

(b) Any referendum must be supervised by the Idaho department of agriculture.

(c) Any referendum shall be held, and the result determined and declared by the director of the department of agriculture, and recorded in the office of the secretary of state.

(d) Notice of any referendum must be given by the board in a manner determined by it. The ballots must be prepared by the board and forwarded to eligible producers, who shall return them within twenty (20) days after mailing by the board.

(e) The board shall pay the costs of any referendum.

History:

[25-160, added 1998, ch. 205, sec. 4, p. 730; am. 2012, ch. 117, sec. 21, p. 329.]