43-20-207 - Referendum. - Tennessee Statutes

43-20-207. Referendum.

(a)  Any referendum held under this part shall be conducted statewide, under the control and direction of the commissioner. The polling place in each county shall be the offices of the University of Tennessee agricultural extension office. All ballots shall be provided at the polling places.

(b)  Each person seeking to vote in the referendum shall be required to sign an affidavit stating that the person is a producer as defined in § 43-20-203. Upon signing an affidavit, the person shall be eligible to vote. Any producer that is a corporation shall have only one (1) vote.

(c)  The question to be decided at the first referendum shall be in the following form:

“Shall the producers of soybeans assess themselves at the rate of  ___________________  cents per bushel of soybeans sold, and use the funds so collected by the department of agriculture and paid over to the Tennessee soybean promotion board to finance a program of research, education, market development, marketing, advertising and other methods designed to promote the increased production, consumption, use and sale of soybeans and soybean products?”

(d)  The affirmative vote of a majority of the number of votes cast shall adopt the proposed assessment.

(e)  Within ten (10) days after the referendum, the commissioner shall canvass the votes and publicly announce the result of the referendum.

(f)  The expenses of referenda held under this part shall be paid by the department until an assessment is levied. Expenses of subsequent referenda shall be paid from the Tennessee soybean promotion fund.

(g)  No referendum pursuant to this part shall be held within one (1) year of any preceding referendum.

[Acts 1985, ch. 108, § 7.]