Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter and except as provided in subsection (b), any cotton producer against whose cotton any assessment is made and collected from him under the authority of this chapter and who is not in favor of supporting the research and promotion program as provided for herein shall have the right to demand and receive from the Cotton Board a refund of such assessment: Provided, That such demand shall be made personally by such producer in accordance with regulations and on a form and within a time period prescribed by the Board and approved by the Secretary, but in no event less than ninety days, and upon submission of proof satisfactory to the Board that the producer paid the assessment for which refund is sought, and any such refund shall be made within sixty days after demand therefor.

The right of a producer to demand a refund under subsection (a) shall terminate if the proposed amendment of the order implementing the Cotton Research and Promotion Amendments Act of 1990 is approved in the referendum provided for under section 2107 of this title. Such right shall terminate 30 days after the date the Secretary announces the results of such referendum if such proposed amendment is approved. Such right shall be reinstated if the amendment should be disapproved in any subsequent referendum.

(Pub. L. 89–502, § 11, July 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 283; Pub. L. 101–624, title XIX, § 1996, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3912; Pub. L. 102–237, title VIII, § 808(a)(4), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1883.)