3-1239. Termination of council
A. The council may be terminated as provided in this section. A referendum among
the state's producers shall be conducted by the council:
1. If the council determines that it is no longer in the best interest of the beef
industry of the state to continue the existence of the council and its programs; or
2. Upon the receipt by the council of a petition for such a referendum signed by
five hundred or more of the state's contributing producers, which shall be signed not
more than six months prior to its presentation to the council.
B. In either such event the council shall conduct a referendum among the
contributing producers of the state. The ballot shall be in such form as to record a yes
or no answer to the question: "Shall the existence of the Arizona beef council and its
programs, as authorized by title 3, chapter 11, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, be
discontinued and terminated?" If the council finds that of those producers who voted
fifty-one per cent or more voted in favor of discontinuing and terminating the council
and its programs, the council shall make a finding to that effect. It shall declare the
existence of the council discontinued and terminated at the end of the fiscal year in
which the referendum is held. If less than fifty-one per cent of the producers who voted
in the referendum election favor termination of the council, no further referendum shall
be conducted for at least two years. The council shall pay the expenses necessary to
carry out the referendum.
C. If the council is to be terminated, the council shall pay all debts incurred by
it. Any unexpended and unencumbered funds remaining in the account of the council shall
be paid into the state general fund and credited to the department in the same manner as
brand inspection fees.
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