A. Any five or more persons producing cotton within a pink bollworm control district may file a petition with the department asking for a referendum to be held to abolish the pink bollworm control district. The petition shall set forth:

(1) the name and description of the pink bollworm control district to be abolished;

(2) a concise statement of the reasons for the abolishment of the pink bollworm control district;

(3) a request that a referendum be held among the producers of the crop on the question of the abolishment of the pink bollworm control district; and

(4) the name and address of the individual who is authorized to represent the petitioners.

B. The director shall prepare and deliver to the petitioners an original budget estimate of the cost of the proposed hearings and referendum. The petitioners, within thirty days after receipt of the cost estimate, shall remit to the director the amount of the cost estimate.

C. If a referendum is held and is adopted to abolish a pink bollworm control district, the district:

(1) may be abolished when the committee and the director determine that all financial and legal obligations have been satisfied; and

(2) shall cease expenditures of pink bollworm control district funds and make an accounting of funds spent and refund the remaining funds.

History: Laws 2001, ch. 13, § 11.

Effective dates. — Laws 2001, ch. 13 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 15, 2001, 90 days after adjournment of the legislature.