2006 Code of Virginia § 3.1-796.03 - Petition for referendum on question of levying tax; action of Board and Commissioner thereon; amoun...

3.1-796.03. Petition for referendum on question of levying tax; action ofBoard and Commissioner thereon; amount of tax; expenses of referendum.

The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services, hereinafter referred to asthe Board, upon petition being filed with it by the Virginia State PoultryFederation, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as the Federation,requesting an advisory referendum and upon finding that sufficient interestexists among the producers of poultry in this Commonwealth to justify areferendum, shall authorize the holding of a referendum as hereinafter setforth. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, hereinafterreferred to as the Commissioner, or his designated agents, shall thereupon befully empowered and directed to hold and conduct a referendum on the questionof whether or not the farmers in this Commonwealth who are the producers ofpoultry are of the opinion that such additional research, education,publicity, advertising and other means of promotion are required and arewilling to pay additional taxes and assessments upon such poultry product forthe purposes stated in this article. The amount of tax to be voted upon inthe separate referendum authorized by this article shall be one cent perturkey marketed, and twenty-five cents per thousand pounds of chickenbroilers marketed. Upon filing the petition under the authority of thissection, the Federation shall thereby agree to pay all expenses or costs ofthe holding of such referendum, if the same is determined to be held, and theFederation shall become indebted for and shall pay all such expenses. Uponthe passage of said referendum and the creation of the Virginia PoultryProducts Board, the cost of holding the said referendum shall be reimbursedto the Federation by the Board. The expenses mentioned herein shall notinclude payment for services of any employee of the Department of Agricultureand Consumer Services or the Virginia Agricultural Extension Service.

(1980, c. 316.)