AMENDMENT 452 RATIFIED

Amendment of Amendment No. 201. Promotion of Cattle Industry.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for the promotion of the production, distribution, marketing, use, improvement and sale of cattle. The legislature may provide for the promotion of cattle and the cattle industry by research, education, advertising and other methods, and the legislature is further authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of any such promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby owners of cattle may by referendum held among the owners of cattle in this state levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the sale of cattle for the financing of any promotional program or activity in cooperation with processors, dealers and handlers of cattle. The legislature shall make provisions for the nonpayment of assessments by cattle owners, and for the refund of assessments to any cattle owner dissatisfied with the assessment program. The legislature shall provide for the collection and distribution of any such assessments or charges by dealers, handlers, processors and purchasers of cattle and provide penalties for failure to make collection and distribution of such assessments. The legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization organized for the promotion and betterment of cattle and beef products to administer and carry out such promotional program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among cattle owners. The legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities authorized herein by the department of agriculture and industries and the state board of agriculture and industries. Assessments, fees or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted in pursuance hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this Constitution or any provision thereof. Any uniformity requirements of this Constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon cattle and beef products.