263.523. Cotton growers' organization, certification by department, requirements--board of directors, appointment, qualifications, terms--audit by department.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

263.523. Cotton growers' organization, certification by department, requirements--board of directors, appointment, qualifications, terms--audit by department.

Cotton growers' organization, certification by department,requirements--board of directors, appointment, qualifications,terms--audit by department.

263.523. 1. The department shall certify a cotton growers'organization for the purpose of entering into agreements with the state ofMissouri, other states, the federal government, and other parties as may benecessary to carry out the purposes of sections 263.500 to 263.537.

2. In order to be eligible for certification by the department, thecotton growers' organization must demonstrate to the satisfaction of thedepartment that:

(1) It is a nonprofit organization and could qualify as a tax exemptorganization under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(2) Membership in the organization shall be open to all cottongrowers in this state.

3. The organization shall have only one class of members with eachmember entitled to only one vote.

4. The organization's board of directors shall be composed asfollows:

(1) Two Missouri cotton growers recommended by the department, to beappointed by the governor;

(2) Three Missouri cotton growers recommended by the largest generalfarm organization in this state, to be appointed by the governor;

(3) Three Missouri cotton growers recommended by the largest cottonproducer organization in this state, to be appointed by the governor;

(4) One representative of state government from this staterecommended by the department, to be appointed by the governor.

5. Directors shall serve for three-year terms, but of the first boardappointed three members shall serve for a term of one year, three membersshall serve for two years and three members shall serve for three years.All books and records of account and minutes of proceedings of theorganization shall be available for inspection or audit by the departmentat any reasonable time.