reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-89 - Majority Vote Required for Approval of Assessment; Canvass of Results; Limitation on Assessment.

Section 2-8-89
Majority vote required for approval of assessment; canvass of results; limitation on assessment.
If in any referendum held under the provisions of this article a majority or more of the soybean producers who are eligible to participate and who actually vote therein shall vote in the affirmative and in favor of the levying and collection of the assessment proposed in such referendum, then such assessment shall be levied and collected in the manner provided in this article. Following the referendum and within 10 days thereafter, the certified association shall canvass, tabulate and publicly declare and announce the results thereof. The amount of the assessment levied upon the sale of soybeans shall not exceed two cents per net bushel after deductions for foreign material on any soybeans sold by the producers thereof.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §10; Acts 1973, No. 1073, p. 1827; Acts 1984, No. 84-274, p. 460.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-90 - Subsequent Referendums.

Section 2-8-90
Subsequent referendums.
In the event any referendum conducted as provided in this article shall fail to receive the required number of affirmative votes from soybean producers eligible for participation and voting therein, then the certified association conducting the said referendum shall be authorized to call another referendum for the purposes set forth in this article in the next succeeding year on the question of an assessment and promotional program for the period authorized by this article; provided, that no such referendum shall be held within a period of 12 months from the date on which the last referendum was held. In the event such referendum is carried or favored by the required number of eligible soybean producers participating therein and assessments in pursuance thereof are levied for the period set forth in the call for such referendum, then the association conducting such referendum shall have full power and authority to call and conduct during or after the last year of such period another referendum in which the soybean producers shall vote upon the question of whether or not such assessments shall be continued or renewed for another period of time as authorized under this article. Any subsequent referendums authorized in this section shall be subject to all of the requirements of an original referendum conducted under the provisions of this article.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §11.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-91 - Collection of Assessments; Deductions for Expenses.

Section 2-8-91
Collection of assessments; deductions for expenses.
In the event the required number of soybean producers approve, by a referendum as provided in this article, the levying of an assessment upon the sale of soybeans for a promotional program, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries shall, within 30 days, notify in writing every person engaged in the business of buying soybeans, whether said buyers are located within the State of Alabama or not, that on or after the date designated in such notice, which shall not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days after the mailing of such notice by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, that the amount of the assessment levied pursuant to the referendum shall be deducted by all purchasers of soybeans from the sale price thereof where such soybeans are purchased within the state. The deductions of assessments as required by this article shall be deducted by the first purchaser from the grower of the soybeans. "First purchaser" means any person that buys soybeans from the grower in the first instance, or any lienholder or pledgee, public or private, or assignee of said lienholder, secured party or pledgee who gains title to the soybeans from the grower as the result of exercising any legal rights by the lienholder, secured party, pledgee or assignee thereof, regardless of when the lien, security interest or pledge was created. "First purchaser" also includes any person, public or private, who acquires a lien or security interest or receives a pledge of the soybeans after said soybeans are harvested. On or before the tenth day of each calendar month, all assessments so deducted by the first purchaser shall be remitted to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. The books and records of all such purchasers of soybeans subject to the deductions or assessments levied under this article shall at all times during regular business hours be open for inspection by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or his duly authorized representatives or agents for the purpose of ascertaining the accuracy of amounts remitted under this article. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries shall be entitled to deduct three percent of all sums remitted to the Department of Agriculture and Industries under this article to defray expenses incident to collection and administration thereof. The amount thus deducted by the commissioner for expenses incident to the administration of this article shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Agricultural Fund.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §12; Acts 1980, No. 80-316, p. 436, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-92 - Remission of Collections to Treasurer of Association.

Section 2-8-92
Remission of collections to treasurer of association.
The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries shall remit to the treasurer of the certified association all moneys paid to or collected by him on a quarterly basis between the first and fifteenth of January, April, July and October of each year, less a commission of three percent of the total amount so collected, which commission shall be deposited in the Agricultural Fund of the State Treasury. The amount remitted to the treasurer of the certified association shall be used and expended by such association for a promotional program in the manner provided by this article and the rules and regulations of the association.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §13.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-94 - Exemptions.

Section 2-8-94
Exemptions.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to any person who purchases 1,000 or less bushels of soybeans in any calendar year, nor shall the provisions of this article apply to occasional sales between growers.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §15.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-95 - Refund of Assessment to Soybean Producer.

Section 2-8-95
Refund of assessment to soybean producer.
Any producer of soybeans against whom any assessment is made and deducted under authority of this article, if dissatisfied with said assessment, shall have the right to demand and receive from the treasurer of the certified association a refund of the amount of the assessment collected from such soybean producer, if such demand for refund is made in writing within 30 days from the date on which such assessment was deducted from the sale price of soybeans sold by such soybean producer. Applications for refunds of amounts deducted from the sale price of any soybeans sold must give the name and address of the sale market or purchaser who bought the soybeans, date of purchase, invoice or weight ticket number, if any, and the amount of soybeans purchased from him for which the assessment was deducted. Within 30 days after the first quarterly receipt of funds from the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, and thereafter within 30 days after receipt of such application, the certified association shall, after such association determines that the assessment was paid as claimed in the application, refund the amount so paid as an assessment. The mailing by the association of a valid check in the amount of such assessment, payable to seller, within 30 days after receipt of the application for refund, shall constitute a compliance with this section.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §16.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-96 - Bond of Treasurer of Association.

Section 2-8-96
Bond of treasurer of association.
Before any money is remitted by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries to the treasurer of an organization or association as authorized under the provisions of this article, the treasurer of said organization shall furnish the commissioner a bond approved by the commissioner in the amount of not less than the estimated annual total amount of the assessments handled by such officer. The surety on said bond shall be a corporate surety company duly qualified and licensed to do business in Alabama, and said bond shall be conditioned upon the faithful handling, proper accounting and properly authorized expenditure of all funds received and disbursed by the principal named in said bond.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §17.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-97 - Expenditure of Assessments.

Section 2-8-97
Expenditure of assessments.
The funds derived from any assessments levied upon the sale of soybeans as authorized under this article shall be used and expended by the certified association, after such funds are remitted to it by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, for the purpose of promoting and stimulating by advertising and other methods the increased use and sale of soybeans and soybean products. Any funds expended by the certified association not authorized by a promotional program previously approved shall be deemed an unauthorized and illegal expenditure of such funds. All funds approved for expenditure by any certified association for an approved promotional program for the soybean industry as authorized under this article are hereby appropriated for disbursement and expenditure by said certified association to carry out any such approved promotional program or programs. It shall not be necessary for the Legislature to make any specific or general appropriation for such disbursements or expenditures nor shall such disbursements and expenditures be subject to the budget and allotment requirements of Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 41 of this Code, and such disbursements and expenditures shall not be restricted or subject to any other requirements for any general or special appropriations.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §18.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-98 - Joint Programs With Other States.

Section 2-8-98
Joint programs with other states.
Any certified association may enter into agreements with like associations, commissions or other agencies of other states for the purpose of conducting a similar agricultural commodities promotional program jointly with such associations, commissions or other agencies in other states, and such certified association shall be authorized to contribute a proportionate share of the cost and expense necessary for such a program.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §19.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-99 - Annual Audit of Association; Examination by Department of Examiners of Public Accounts; Publication of Statement.

Section 2-8-99
Annual audit of association; examination by Department of Examiners of Public Accounts; publication of statement.
The approved and certified association receiving and disbursing funds as authorized in this article shall, following the close of its fiscal year every two years, cause an audit of its books and accounts for the two-year period to be conducted by a certified public accountant, disclosing receipts, disbursements, expenditures, and other information related thereto, and a copy thereof shall be forwarded to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries for inspection and review. The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts may audit, review, and otherwise investigate the receipts and disbursements of the funds in the same manner that those duties are performed for examination and audits of agencies and departments of the state. An examination or audit as required by this section and submitted to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries shall be open to public inspection. Within 90 days following the close of a certified association's fiscal year, if it has received any funds from assessments levied and collected pursuant to this article, the association shall forward a copy of a financial statement to the state board showing the amount received and collected and the amount spent for each project and item. The statement shall be available for public inspection.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §20; Act 2010-257, p. 448, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-100 - Rules and Regulations.

Section 2-8-100
Rules and regulations.
The State Board of Agriculture and Industries is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the evident intent and purpose of this article, which shall include rules and regulations governing the holding of referendums as adopted by the certified association, rules and regulations governing the collection, deposit, handling, withdrawal and disbursement of assessments collected under this article and such other reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the evident intent and purposes of this article. The certified association authorized to conduct a promotional program as authorized under this article shall have a right to recommend such rules and regulations to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries and, upon receipt of such recommended rules and regulations, said board shall meet within a period of not more than 90 days to consider their adoption. The certified association shall be given at least 10 days' notice in writing of any such meeting.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §21.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-101 - Enforcement Duties of Commissioner; Revocation of Certification of Association.

Section 2-8-101
Enforcement duties of commissioner; revocation of certification of association.
It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, through the facilities of the Department of Agriculture and Industries, to enforce and collect the assessment charges levied upon the sale of agricultural commodities under the provisions of this article and to enforce the rules and regulations of the State Board of Agriculture and Industries relative thereto. The State Board of Agriculture and Industries shall have authority at any time to revoke or cancel any approval or certification of an association in the event it finds that such association is not carrying out its promotional program in accordance with the provisions of this article and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Before any certification may be revoked, the certified association shall be given notice and an opportunity to be heard by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries upon the question of whether its certification should be revoked.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §22.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-102 - Permit Required of Buyers of Soybeans.

Section 2-8-102
Permit required of buyers of soybeans.
Any individual, partnership, corporation, association or other business unit which buys soybeans in Alabama from the producer thereof shall, in the event assessments are required to be deducted from the purchase price of such soybeans under the provisions of this article, obtain from the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries an annual permit which shall authorize such individual or business firm to engage in the business of buying soybeans in Alabama. The permit required by this section shall expire on June 30 in each year and shall be renewable as of July 1 unless revoked by the commissioner for failure to comply with the provisions of this article. The application for the annual permit as required by this section shall be accompanied by a fee of $5.00, which shall be deposited by the commissioner in the State Treasury to the credit of the Agricultural Fund. The permit shall be conditioned upon compliance with the provisions of this article and rules and regulations duly adopted for carrying out the requirements of this article relative to the deduction and remittance of assessments by individuals or business firms buying soybeans in Alabama, whether such individuals or business firms are domiciled in Alabama or another state.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §23.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 3 - Soybean Industry. › Section 2-8-103 - Penalty; Inspection of Books and Records; Injunctions.

Section 2-8-103
Penalty; inspection of books and records; injunctions.
(a) Any dealer, handler, processor or other purchaser of soybeans who willfully fails or refuses to deduct and pay to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries any assessment required to be so deducted and remitted to the commissioner or who fails or refuses to obtain a permit authorizing the purchase of soybeans in Alabama shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than $25.00 nor more than $500.00 and, in the discretion of the court, may also be imprisoned for a term not to exceed six months. Any purchaser of soybeans who fails or refuses to allow the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or his authorized agents and employees to inspect and review his books and records which disclose his purchases of soybeans for the purpose of ascertaining the accuracy of amounts deducted and remitted as required under this article shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as in this subsection provided.
(b) In addition to the above penalty, the circuit court, or any judge thereof, shall have jurisdiction for cause shown, to grant a temporary restraining order or permanent injunction or both, restraining and enjoining any person from buying soybeans in Alabama without having a valid permit as required under this article or after such a permit has been revoked or from violating any other provisions and requirements of this article. Petitions for injunctive relief as authorized under this subsection shall be filed in the name of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in the circuit court in the county of residence of the person who buys soybeans in violation of the provisions of this article or in the county where such violation occurs. Any temporary restraining order or permanent injunction issued under this subsection shall be issued without a bond.
(Acts 1971, No. 227, p. 523, §24.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-120 - Declaration of Policy.

Section 2-8-120
Declaration of policy.
It is declared to be in the interest of the public welfare that the Alabama farmers who are producers of nuts, bulbs, fruits and vegetables shall be permitted and encouraged to act jointly and in cooperation with handlers, dealers and processors of such products in promoting and stimulating by research, education, advertising and other methods the increased use and sale, domestic and foreign, of any and all such agricultural commodities.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-121 - Authorized Activities Not Illegal or in Restraint of Trade.

Section 2-8-121
Authorized activities not illegal or in restraint of trade.
No association, meeting or activity undertaken in pursuance of the provisions of this article and intended to benefit all of the producers, handlers and processors of a particular commodity shall be deemed or considered illegal or in restraint of trade.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-122 - Referendum to Levy Assessment Declared to Be in Public Interest.

Section 2-8-122
Referendum to levy assessment declared to be in public interest.
It is hereby further declared to be in the public interest and highly advantageous to the agricultural economy of the state that farmers, producers and growers commercially producing the commodities referred to in this article shall be permitted by referendum to be held among the respective groups and subject to the provisions of this article to levy upon themselves an assessment on such respective commodities or upon the acreage used in the production of the same and provide for the collection of the same for the purpose of financing or contributing toward the financing of a program of research, education, advertising and other methods designed to increase the consumption of and the domestic as well as foreign markets for such agricultural products.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-123 - Application for Certification and Approval to Conduct Referendum - Generally.

Section 2-8-123
Application for certification and approval to conduct referendum - Generally.
Any commission, council, board or other agency or any nonprofit association of producers, fairly representative of the growers or producers of any agricultural commodity referred to in this article may make application to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries of the State of Alabama for certification and approval for the purpose of conducting a referendum among the growers or producers of such particular agricultural commodity for commercial purposes upon the question of levying an assessment under the provisions of this article and collecting and utilizing the same for the purposes stated in such referendum.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-124 - Application for Certification and Approval to Conduct Referendum - Action by Board on Application.

Section 2-8-124
Application for certification and approval to conduct referendum - Action by board on application.
Upon the filing with the State Board of Agriculture and Industries of such application as is provided for in Section 2-8-123, on the part of any commission, council, board, other agency or association, the said board shall, within 30 days thereafter, meet and consider the application. If upon such consideration the said board shall find that the commission, council, board, other agency or association making such application is fairly representative of and has been duly chosen and delegated as representative of the growers producing such commodity, and the board shall otherwise find and determine that such application is in conformity with the provisions of this article and the purposes stated in this article, it shall be the duty of said board to certify such commission, council, board, other agency or association as the duly delegated and authorized group or organization representative of the commercial growers and producers of such agricultural commodity and to likewise certify that such organization is duly authorized to conduct among the growers and producers of such commodity a referendum for the purposes stated in this article.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §5.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-125 - Authority of Certified Organization to Conduct Referendum on Assessment.

Section 2-8-125
Authority of certified organization to conduct referendum on assessment.
Upon being certified by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries in the manner set forth in Section 2-8-124, such organization shall thereupon be fully authorized and empowered to hold and conduct on the part of the producers and growers of such particular agricultural commodity a referendum on the question of whether or not such growers and producers shall levy upon themselves an assessment under and subject to and for the purposes stated in this article. Such referendum may be conducted either on a statewide or area basis.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §6.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-126 - Notice of Referendum; Maximum Assessment.

Section 2-8-126
Notice of referendum; maximum assessment.
When a referendum has been authorized as provided in Section 2-8-125, the certified organization shall, before calling and announcing such referendum, fix, determine and publicly announce, at least 30 days before the date determined upon for such referendum, the date, hours and polling places for voting in such referendum, the amount and basis of the assessment proposed to be collected, the means by which such assessment shall be collected if authorized by the growers and the general purposes to which said amount so collected shall be applied. Such notice shall be published by the certified association through the medium of an established farm publication, and written notice thereof shall be given to each county extension chairman in the area covered by the referendum. Provided, however, any referendum called under the provisions of this article for the assessment of peanuts, notice shall also be published once a week in a newspaper in the county in which USDA inspection and buying points for peanuts are located for three successive weeks next preceding the referendum. No annual assessment levied under the provisions of this article shall exceed three fourths of one percent of the value of the year's production of such agricultural commodity grown by any farmer, producer or grower included in the group to which such referendum is submitted.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §7; Acts 1987, No. 87-595, p. 1034, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-127 - Conduct of Referendum; Payment of Expense.

Section 2-8-127
Conduct of referendum; payment of expense.
The arrangements for and management of any referendum conducted under the provisions of this article shall be under the direction of the organization duly certified and authorized to conduct the same, and any and all expenses in connection therewith shall be borne by such organization.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §8.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-128 - Eligibility to Vote in Referendum; Question Before Voters.

Section 2-8-128
Eligibility to vote in referendum; question before voters.
Any referendum conducted under the provisions of this article may be held either on an area or statewide basis, as may be determined by the certified organization before the referendum is called. The referendum, either on an area or statewide basis, may be participated in by all producers engaged in the production of the agricultural commodity on a commercial basis who shall be subject to any assessments levied under this article and who produced the agricultural commodity in any of the three crop years immediately preceding the referendum. In the referendum, individuals eligible for participation shall vote upon the question of whether or not there shall be levied an annual assessment for a period of three years in the amount set forth in the call for the referendum on the agricultural product covered by the referendum.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §9; Act 2002-406, p. 1023, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-129 - Negative Vote in Referendum.

Section 2-8-129
Negative vote in referendum.
If in any referendum held under the provisions of this article a majority of the producers in the area in which the referendum is conducted, eligible to participate and voting therein, shall vote in the negative and against the levying or collection of the assessment, then no assessment shall be levied or collected.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §10; Act 2002-406, p. 1023, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-130 - Affirmative Vote in Referendum.

Section 2-8-130
Affirmative vote in referendum.
If in any referendum called under the provisions of this article, a majority of the producers in the area in which any referendum is conducted, eligible to participate and voting therein, shall vote in the affirmative and in favor of the levying and collection of the assessment proposed in the referendum on the agricultural commodity covered thereby, then the assessment shall be collected in the manner determined and announced by the organization conducting the referendum.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §11; Act 2002-406, p. 1023, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-131 - Hours, Voting Places, Rules and Regulations, etc., for Referendum; Notices to Be Given.

Section 2-8-131
Hours, voting places, rules and regulations, etc., for referendum; notices to be given.
The hours, voting places and rules and regulations for any referendum authorized in this article with respect to any of the agricultural commodities herein referred to and the area in which such referendum shall be held shall be established and determined by the organization of the commercial growers and producers of such agricultural commodity duly certified by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries as provided in this article. The said referendum date, area, hours, voting places and rules and regulations with respect to the holding of such referendum shall be published by such organization conducting the same through the medium of the public press in the State of Alabama at least 30 days before the holding of such referendum, and direct written notice thereof shall likewise be given to farm organizations within the State of Alabama and to each county agent in any county in which such agricultural product is grown. Such notice shall likewise contain a statement of the amount of annual assessment proposed to be levied, which shall not exceed the amount specified in Section 2-8-126, and shall likewise state the method by which such assessment shall be collected and how the proceeds thereof shall be administered and the purposes to which the same shall be applied, which purposes shall be in keeping with the provisions of this article.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §12.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-132 - Ballots and Poll Holders for Referendum; Canvass of Results.

Section 2-8-132
Ballots and poll holders for referendum; canvass of results.
The duly certified organization of the producers of any agricultural product among whom a referendum shall be conducted under the provisions of this article shall likewise prepare and distribute in advance of such referendum all necessary ballots for the purposes thereof and shall, under rules and regulations promulgated by said organization, arrange for the necessary poll holders for conducting the said referendum. Following such referendum and within 10 days thereafter, the said organization shall canvass and publicly declare the results of such referendum.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §13.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-133 - Collection of Assessment; Disposition.

Section 2-8-133
Collection of assessment; disposition.
In the event a majority of the producers eligible for participation in a referendum conducted under the provisions of this article and voting therein, shall vote in favor of the assessment, then the assessment shall be collected annually for three years, as set forth in the call for the referendum, and the collection of the assessment shall be under such method, rules, and regulations as may be determined by the organization conducting the referendum. The assessment collected shall be paid into the treasury of the organization conducting the referendum, to be used together with other funds from other sources, including donations from individuals, concerns, or corporations and grants from state or governmental agencies, for the purpose of promoting and stimulating, by research, education, advertising, and other methods, the increased use and sale, domestic and foreign, of the agricultural commodity covered by the referendum.
Upon the request of the duly certified organization of producers of any agricultural products referred to in this article, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries shall notify, by registered or certified mail, all persons, firms, and corporations engaged in the business of purchasing any such agricultural products in this state that on and after the date specified in the letter the assessments shall be deducted by the purchaser or his or her agent or representative from the purchase price of any such agricultural products. The assessment deducted shall, on or before the twentieth day of the month following the deduction, be remitted by the purchaser to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, who shall thereupon, by the end of the month, pay the amount of the assessments to the duly certified organization entitled thereto. The books and records of all the purchasers of agricultural products shall at all times during regular business hours be open for inspection by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or his or her duly authorized agents. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries shall be entitled to deduct five percent of all sums remitted to him or her under this section to defray the expense incident to the administration of this article. All amounts deducted shall be paid into the State Treasury and be credited to the account of the Agricultural Fund.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §14; Act 2002-406, p. 1023, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-134 - Subsequent Referendum After Negative Vote.

Section 2-8-134
Subsequent referendum after negative vote.
In the event a referendum conducted as provided in this article shall not be supported by a majority of those eligible for participation therein and voting therein, then the organization conducting the referendum shall have full power and authority to call another referendum for the purposes set forth in this article no earlier than 90 days after the preceding referendum, whether the referendum was conducted before or after April 17, 2002, on the question of an annual assessment for three years.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §15; Act 2002-406, p. 1023, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-135 - Subsequent Referendum After Affirmative Vote.

Section 2-8-135
Subsequent referendum after affirmative vote.
In the event a referendum conducted as provided in this article is carried by the vote of a majority of the eligible producers participating therein and assessments in pursuance thereof are levied annually for three years as set forth in the call for the referendum, then the organization conducting the referendum shall, in its discretion, have full power and authority to call and conduct, during the third year of the period, another referendum in which the producers of such agricultural commodity shall vote upon the question of whether or not assessments shall be continued for the next ensuing three years. The certified organization shall have the full power and authority to hold subsequent referendums it deems necessary to alter or modify the terms of the existing assessment. Intermediary referendums shall comply with the terms and conditions of the original request. In the event the intermediary referendum fails to receive a favorable vote, the previously approved assessment shall remain in force and subsequent referendums shall be conducted as provided in this article. However, if the intermediary referendum receives an affirmative vote, no subsequent referendum may be conducted until the passage of one year.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §16; Acts 1987, No. 87-595, p. 1034, §1; Act 2002-406, p. 1023, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-136 - Refund of Assessment.

Section 2-8-136
Refund of assessment.
In the event a referendum conducted as provided in this article is carried in the affirmative and the assessment is levied and collected as provided in this article and under the regulations to be promulgated by the duly certified organization conducting the same, any farmer or producer upon and against whom such annual assessment shall have been levied and collected under the provisions of this article, if dissatisfied with said assessment and the results thereof, shall have the right to demand of and receive from the treasurer of said organization a refund of such annual assessment so collected from such farmer or producer, if such demand for refund is made in writing within 30 days from the date on which said assessment is collected from such farmer or producer.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §17.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 4 - Nuts, Bulbs, Fruits and Vegetables. › Section 2-8-137 - Annual Statements by Treasurer of Organization; Bond of Treasurer.

Section 2-8-137
Annual statements by treasurer of organization; bond of treasurer.
If assessments are levied and collected as provided in this article, the treasurer of the organization shall, within 30 days after the end of any calendar year in which such assessments are collected, publish through the medium of the press of the state a statement of the amount or amounts so received by him under the provisions of this article. Before receiving such assessments, such treasurer shall give a bond in the amount of not less than the estimated total of such assessments as will be collected, such bond to have as surety thereon a surety company licensed to do business in the State of Alabama, and to be in the form and amount approved by the organization conducting such referendum and to be filed with the chairman or executive head of such organization.
(Acts 1957, No. 108, p. 142, §18.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 5 - Eggs and Egg Products. › Section 2-8-150 - Legislative Purpose and Intent.

Section 2-8-150
Legislative purpose and intent.
It is hereby declared to be in the interest of the public welfare of the State of Alabama that owners or others in possession of hens for the production of eggs and egg products shall be authorized and encouraged to act jointly and in cooperation with handlers, dealers, processors or others who purchase hens and with the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and the State Board of Agriculture and Industries in promoting and stimulating, by research, education, advertising and other methods, the increased and more efficient and economical production, marketing and use of eggs and egg products. Accordingly, the intent and purpose of this article is to authorize and provide a method and procedure for a promotional program for the segment of the poultry industry in Alabama engaged in the production and sale of eggs and egg products and the financing thereof pursuant to authority of Amendment 214 to the Alabama Constitution of 1901.
(Acts 1963, No. 351, p. 844, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 5 - Eggs and Egg Products. › Section 2-8-151 - Authorized Activities Not Illegal or in Restraint of Trade.

Section 2-8-151
Authorized activities not illegal or in restraint of trade.
No association, meeting or activity undertaken in pursuance of the provisions of this article and intended to benefit the poultry and egg industry shall be deemed or considered illegal or in restraint of trade.
(Acts 1963, No. 351, p. 844, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 5 - Eggs and Egg Products. › Section 2-8-152 - Referendum to Levy Assessment Declared to Be in Public Interest.

Section 2-8-152
Referendum to levy assessment declared to be in public interest.
It is hereby further declared to be in the public interest and advantageous to the economy of the state that owners and others in possession of hens who produce eggs and egg products be permitted by referendum, as provided in this article, to levy upon themselves an assessment and to provide for the collection thereof for the financing or contributing toward the financing of a program of research, education, advertising and other methods designed to increase or promote the efficient and economical production, distribution and marketing, as well as the increased use, consumption and sale, of eggs and egg products.
(Acts 1963, No. 351, p. 844, §3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 5 - Eggs and Egg Products. › Section 2-8-153 - Application for Certification and Approval to Conduct Referendum - Generally.

Section 2-8-153
Application for certification and approval to conduct referendum — Generally.
Any nonprofit association of producers of eggs and egg products or any nonprofit association organized for the benefit and betterment of the poultry industry of the State of Alabama may make application to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries for certification and approval for the purpose of conducting a referendum among owners or others in possession of hens who are engaged in egg production in the State of Alabama, upon the question of levying an assessment and collecting, expending and utilizing the same for the purpose or purposes authorized under this article and as stated in such referendum. Any nonprofit association approved or certified under this article by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries shall be authorized to execute or carry out such a promotional program within the limits prescribed by this article.
(Acts 1963, No. 351, p. 844, §4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 5 - Eggs and Egg Products. › Section 2-8-154 - Application for Certification and Approval to Conduct Referendum - Action by Board on Application.

Section 2-8-154
Application for certification and approval to conduct referendum - Action by board on application.
Upon the filing of an application with the State Board of Agriculture and Industries by any nonprofit association of owners or others in possession of hens, as authorized under Section 2-8-153, the said board shall within 30 days thereafter meet and consider such application. If it is shown by the applicant to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant is fairly representative of egg producers of this state and the board shall otherwise find and determine that such application is in conformity with the provisions and purposes of this article, the board shall certify such association as the duly delegated and authorized group or organization and shall likewise certify that such organization is duly authorized to conduct a referendum among egg producers of this state for the purpose set forth in its application, which shall be consistent with the purposes of this article.
(Acts 1963, No. 351, p. 844, §5.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 5 - Eggs and Egg Products. › Section 2-8-155 - Authority of Certified Association to Conduct Referendum on Assessment.

Section 2-8-155
Authority of certified association to conduct referendum on assessment.
Upon being certified by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries in the manner set forth in Section 2-8-154, such organization shall thereupon be fully authorized and empowered to hold and conduct on the part of the producers of eggs in Alabama a referendum wherein they shall be entitled to vote on the question of whether or not an assessment shall be levied upon such producers under and subject to and for the purpose stated in this article. The referendum may be conducted either on a statewide or area basis as may be determined by the certified association and approved by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.
(Acts 1963, No. 351, p. 844, §6.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 5 - Eggs and Egg Products. › Section 2-8-156 - Notice of Referendum.

Section 2-8-156
Notice of referendum.
When a referendum has been authorized as provided in Section 2-8-155, the certified organization shall, not less than 30 days before the date of the referendum, publicly announce the date, hours, polling places and rules for voting in the referendum, the area covered by the referendum, the amount and basis of the assessment proposed to be collected, the means by which such assessment shall be collected and the general purposes to which said amount thus collected shall be expended and applied. Such notice shall be published by the certified organization through the medium of its trade publication, and written notice thereof shall be given to each county agent in the area covered by the referendum.
(Acts 1963, No. 351, p. 844, §7.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products. › Article 5 - Eggs and Egg Products. › Section 2-8-157 - Conduct of Referendum; Payment of Expense.

Section 2-8-157
Conduct of referendum; payment of expense.
The arrangements for and the management of any referendum conducted under this article shall be under the direction of the organization certified by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries to conduct the same, and such organization shall furnish all necessary ballots and arrange for the necessary poll holders. All expense and costs necessary to conduct such a referendum shall be borne by such organization.
(Acts 1963, No. 351, p. 844, §8.)