3-468.08. Termination of council

A. The council may be terminated as provided in this section. The council shall conduct a referendum among the state's producers if either of the following occurs:

1. The council, by a two-thirds vote of its membership, determines that it is no longer in the best interest of the citrus industry of this state to continue the existence of the council and its programs.

2. On receipt by the council of a petition calling for a referendum signed by ten per cent or more of the state's contributing producers, which shall be signed not more than six months before its presentation to the council.

B. The ballot for the referendum shall be in such form as to record a "yes" or "no" answer to the question: "Shall the existence of the Arizona citrus research council and its programs, as authorized in state statute, be continued?" If the majority or more of those producers voting votes in favor of discontinuing and terminating the council and its programs, the council shall recommend to the legislature that the council be terminated. If less than a majority of the producers who voted in the referendum favors termination of the council, no subsequent referendum may be conducted for at least two years. The council shall pay the expenses necessary to carry out the referendum.