64320-64322
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE
SECTION 64320-64322
64320. (a) Between July 1, 1983, and December 31, 1983, and in the same period each five years thereafter, the secretary shall, by the public hearing procedure, and if appropriate, the referendum procedure provided for in this article, determine whether the council program provided for in this chapter shall continue in effect. (b) If the secretary finds from evidence received at the hearing that a substantial question exists as to whether the council program is contrary to or does not effectuate the declared purposes or provisions of this chapter, the council program shall be submitted to referendum as provided in subdivision (c). (c) If the secretary determines that a referendum procedure is appropriate, the secretary shall establish a referendum period of not to exceed 30 days during which period ballots shall be submitted to all producers, producer-handlers, and handlers on a statewide basis. If the secretary determines that the referendum period does not provide sufficient time for the balloting, the secretary may extend the referendum for an additional period not to exceed 30 days. The ballots shall provide a "yes" or "no" voting alternative to the question: "Shall the Dairy Council of California be continued for the next five fiscal years commencing July 1 following this referendum " 64321. If the council program is submitted to a referendum, the secretary shall find that producers, handlers, and producer-handlers statewide have assented to the council program if he or she finds both of the following: (a) Sixty-five percent or more of the total number of handlers, including producer-handlers, voting approve the program. (b) (1) Not less than 51 percent of the total number of eligible producers, including producer-handlers, in the state voted in the referendum. (2) Sixty-five percent or more of the total number of eligible producers, including producer-handlers, who voted in the referendum and who produced 51 percent or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced during the second calendar month preceding the month of the commencement of the referendum period by all producers who voted in the referendum approve the program, or 51 percent or more of the total number of eligible producers who voted in the referendum and who produced 65 percent or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced during the second calendar month preceding the month of the commencement of the referendum period by all producers who voted in the referendum, approve the program. 64321.5. If the secretary finds that producers, handlers, and producer-handlers have not assented to the council program pursuant to Section 64321, the program may be resubmitted to a referendum as prescribed herein within a period of not less than 60 days and not more than 180 days after the secretary announces the plan was not approved. 64322. (a) If the council program has been submitted to referendum pursuant to procedures prescribed in Section 64321 and the secretary finds that producers, handlers, and producer-handlers have not assented to the program, or if the program is resubmitted pursuant to Section 64321.5 and the secretary finds that assent is again not forthcoming, operations of the provisions of this chapter and of the council shall be suspended commencing July 1 following the referendum or referendums. (b) After the effective date of suspension of the operation of the provisions of this chapter and of the council, the operations of the council shall be wound up, and any real and personal property held in the name of the council shall be liquidated and the proceeds, along with any and all remaining money held by the council, collected by assessment and not required to defray the expenses of winding up and terminating operations of the council, shall be returned upon a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected in the immediately preceding three months. However, if the secretary finds that the amounts so returnable are so small as to make impractical the computation and remitting of the pro rata refund to these persons, any moneys remaining after payment of all expenses of winding up and terminating operations shall be withdrawn from the approved depository and paid into the State Treasury as unclaimed trust moneys.