The foundation must notify the commissioner when eradication is completed and ask to discontinue the program; the commissioner controls the dissolution and referendum process, including deadlines and fund distribution.
Sec. 74.112. DISCONTINUATION OF PROGRAM AND FOUNDATION AND DISPOSITION OF FUNDS ON DISCONTINUANCE. (a) On the determination by the foundation that the boll weevil eradication program has been completed in all eradication zones established under this subchapter for boll weevil control and the pink bollworm eradication program has been completed in any eradication zone established under this chapter for pink bollworm control, the foundation shall provide notice of such completion to the commissioner along with a request for discontinuance of the eradication program and collection of the assessment. Any such request shall include documentation supporting the eradication of the boll weevil in all eradication zones established for boll weevil eradication or pink bollworm in any eradication zone established for pink bollworm eradication and a plan for discontinuance of the program and assessment. (b) The commissioner shall determine whether or not the further elimination of the boll weevil or pink bollworm is necessary in the eradication zones and approve or disapprove discontinuance of the foundation and the plan for dissolution. (c) On completion of dissolution, the foundation shall file a final report with the commissioner, including a financial report, and submit all remaining funds into the trust of the commissioner. Final books of the foundation shall be filed with the commissioner and are subject to audit by the department. (d) The commissioner shall pay from the foundation's remaining funds all of the foundation's outstanding obligations. (e) Funds remaining after payment under Subsection (d) of this section shall be returned to contributing cotton growers on a pro rata basis. (f) If 30 percent or more of the cotton growers eligible to vote within a zone participating in the program present to the commissioner a petition calling for a referendum of the qualified voters on the proposition of discontinuing the program, the commissioner may conduct a referendum for that purpose if: (1) the debt of the zone has been paid in full; and (2) the foundation determines, and the commissioner approves the foundation's determination, that the cotton growers in the zone have paid more than one-half of the eradication program funds collected by the foundation and used for the eradication program in the zone from the date of the program's inception until the date the petition is presented to the commissioner. (f-1) The commissioner may not conduct a referendum under Subsection (f) and shall return the petition if the commissioner determines that the requirements of Subsection (f)(1) or (2) are not satisfied. (g) The commissioner shall give notice of the referendum, the referendum shall be conducted, and the results shall be declared in the manner provided by law for the original referendum and election, with any necessary exceptions provided by rule of the commissioner. (h) The commissioner shall conduct the referendum within 90 days of the date of filing of the petition, except that no such referendum may be held within two years of any other referendum in the eradication zone pertaining to establishing or discontinuing the eradication zone. (i) Approval of the proposition is by the same vote as required in a referendum under Section 74.114(g). If the proposition is approved, the eradication program is abolished and the eradication zone ceases to exist on payment of all debts of the eradication zone. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 8, Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 227, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 463, Sec. 1.14, 2.05, eff. May 30, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 577 (S.B. 818), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.