3.2-1713 - Petition for referendum on question of assessment; action of Board and Commissioner; amount of assessment. - Virginia Statutes

§ 3.2-1713. Petition for referendum on question of assessment; action ofBoard and Commissioner; amount of assessment.

The Board, upon a joint petition requesting a referendum being filed with itby at least three of the following: the Virginia Horse Council, Inc., theVirginia Thoroughbred Association, the Virginia Horse Shows Association, theVirginia Quarter Horse Association, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, orthe Virginia Agribusiness Council, and upon finding that sufficient interestexists among the members of the equine owners in the Commonwealth to justifya referendum, shall authorize the holding of a referendum as set forth inthis article.

The Commissioner shall thereupon be fully empowered and directed to hold andconduct a referendum, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 3.2-112 and3.2-1705, on the question of whether or not equine owners in the Commonwealthare of the opinion that additional market development, education, publicity,research, and promotion of the equine industry are required. If approved inthe referendum authorized by this section, an assessment of $3 per ton or$0.075 per 50-pound bag of manufactured equine feed shall be established. Thecost of conducting a referendum under this section shall be paid from theVirginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development Fund.

(2005, cc. 497, 588, § 3.1-22.68; 2008, c. 860.)