§ 106-65.88. Referendum; assessments.
§ 106‑65.88. Referendum; assessments.
(a) At the request ofthe certified organization, the Board shall authorize a referendum among cottongrowers upon the question of whether an assessment shall be levied upon cottongrowers in the State to offset, in whole or in part, the cost of boll weevil orother cotton pest eradication and suppression programs authorized by thisArticle or by any other law of this State.
(b) The assessmentlevied under this Article shall be based upon the number of acres of cotton planted.The amount of the assessment, the period of time for which it shall be levied,and the geographical area to be covered by the assessment shall be determinedby the Board.
(c) All affected cottongrowers shall be entitled to vote in any such referendum and the Board shalldetermine any questions of eligibility to vote.
(d) If at least two‑thirdsof those voting vote in favor of the assessment, then the assessment shall becollected by the Department from the affected cotton growers.
(e) The assessmentscollected by the Department under this Article shall be promptly remitted tothe certified organization under such terms and conditions as the Commissionershall deem necessary to ensure that such assessments are used in a soundprogram of eradication or suppression of the boll weevil or other cotton pests.
(f) The certifiedorganization shall provide to the Department an annual audit of its accountsperformed by a certified public accountant.
(g) For the purposes ofthe State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, the assessmentscollected by the Department under this Article shall not be "Statefunds". (1983,c. 136, s. 5; 2006‑203, s. 25.)