The commissioner must run referenda in proposed pest management zones, and ballot materials must explain the proposed zone and related rules.
Sec. 80.006. PEST MANAGEMENT ZONE REFERENDA. (a) The commissioner shall conduct a referendum in each proposed pest management zone to determine whether citrus producers want to establish a pest management zone. (b) Pest management zone referenda shall be conducted under the procedures provided by Section 80.016. (c) A proposed pest management zone referendum ballot must include or be accompanied by information about the proposed pest management zone, including: (1) a statement of the purpose of the pest suppression program; (2) the geographic area included in the proposed pest management zone; (3) a general summary of rules adopted by the commissioner under Sections 80.016, 80.020, and 80.022, including a description of: (A) citrus producer responsibilities; and (B) penalties for noncompliance with rules adopted under this chapter; and (4) an address and toll-free telephone number that a citrus producer may use to request more information about the referendum or the pest suppression program. (d) If a referendum to establish a pest management zone is not approved, the concurrent election of a board member from the proposed pest management zone under Section 80.007 has no effect, and the commissioner shall appoint a representative to the board from the area. (e) The corporation may request the commissioner to call additional referenda in a proposed pest management zone in which a referendum has not been approved. An additional pest management zone referendum and concurrent board election may not be held before the first anniversary of the date of the preceding referendum. (f) After the approval of any referendum, the eligible voters shall be allowed, by subsequent referenda, to vote on whether to continue their assessments. The requirements for an initial referendum must be complied with in a subsequent referendum. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 506 (S.B. 1016), Sec. 10.01, eff. September 1, 2009. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 29 (S.B. 1749), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2015.