The commissioner must propose, review, approve, set, and conduct assessment referendum steps for eradication zones, and the foundation may collect and transfer assessment proceeds only under stated approvals and limits.
Sec. 74.113. ASSESSMENT REFERENDA. (a) The commissioner shall propose the assessment needed in each eradication zone to ensure the stability of the cotton industry by eradicating the public nuisance caused by the boll weevil and the pink bollworm. (b) The commissioner shall propose in a referendum the: (1) maximum assessment to be paid by cotton growers having production in the eradication zone; and (2) time for which the assessment will be made. (c) With the commissioner's approval, the foundation may make an assessment in an eradication zone at a level less than the assessment approved by the referendum. (d) The commissioner shall conduct an assessment referendum under the procedures provided by Section 74.114. (e) If an assessment referendum is approved, the foundation may collect the assessment. (f) An assessment levied on cotton growers in an eradication zone may be applied only to: (1) eradication; (2) the foundation's operating costs, including payments on debt incurred for a foundation activity; and (3) the conducting of other programs consistent with the declaration of policy stated in Section 74.101. (g) The assessment shall be adequate and necessary to achieve the goals of this subchapter. The amount of the assessment shall be determined by criteria established by the commissioner, including: (1) the extent of infestation; (2) the amount of acreage planted; (3) historical efforts to eradicate; (4) the growing season; (5) epidemiology; (6) historical weather conditions; and (7) the costs and financing of the program. (h) The commissioner shall give notice of and hold a public hearing within the eradication zone regarding the proposed assessment referendum. Before the referendum, the commissioner shall review and approve: (1) the amount of the assessment; (2) the basis for the assessment; (3) the time for payment of the assessment; (4) the method of allocation of the assessment among cotton growers; (5) the restructuring and repayment schedule for any pre-existing debt; and (6) the amount of debt to be incurred in the eradication zone. (i) The commissioner shall on a zone-by-zone basis set the date on which assessments are due and payable. (j) Each year, the commissioner shall review and approve the foundation's operating budget. (k) The foundation may prepare and mail billing statements to each cotton grower subject to the assessment that state the amount due and the due date. The assessments shall be remitted to the foundation. (l) With the approval of the board and the commissioner, the foundation may transfer the proceeds from the collection of assessments in one eradication zone to another eradication zone. The board shall consult with affected cotton grower steering committees before recommending that the commissioner approve the transfer of proceeds under this subsection. The transferred proceeds may be applied only as provided by Subsection (f). Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 8, Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 227, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 463, Sec. 1.15, eff. May 30, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 178 (H.B. 1580), Sec. 4, eff. May 27, 2009. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 577 (S.B. 818), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2013.