The Board, upon a joint petition requesting a referendum being filed with it by at least three of the following: the Virginia Horse Council, Inc., the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, the Virginia Horse Shows Association, the Virginia Quarter Horse Association, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, or the Virginia Agribusiness Council, and upon finding that sufficient interest exists among the members of the equine owners in the Commonwealth to justify a referendum, shall authorize the holding of a referendum as set forth in this article.
The Commissioner shall thereupon be fully empowered and directed to hold and conduct a referendum, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 3.2-112 and 3.2-1705, on the question of whether or not equine owners in the Commonwealth are of the opinion that additional market development, education, publicity, research, and promotion of the equine industry are required. If approved in the referendum authorized by this section, an assessment of $3 per ton or $0.075 per 50-pound bag of manufactured equine feed shall be established. The cost of conducting a referendum under this section shall be paid from the Virginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development Fund.
2005, cc. 497, 588, § 3.1-22.68; 2008, c. 860.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food
Chapter 17 - Horse Industry Board
§ 3.2-1700. Horse Industry Board; composition and appointment of members; quorum
§ 3.2-1701. Horse Industry Board membership terms
§ 3.2-1703. Powers and duties of Horse Industry Board
§ 3.2-1704. Virginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development Fund established
§ 3.2-1705. Management of referenda; Commissioner's duties; notice
§ 3.2-1706. Commissioner to maintain referenda results
§ 3.2-1707. Fees to be assessed; State Veterinarian to collect
§ 3.2-1709. Question to be printed on ballots
§ 3.2-1710. Persons eligible to vote
§ 3.2-1711. Referenda results; action of Governor
§ 3.2-1714. Persons eligible to vote
§ 3.2-1715. Question to be printed on ballots
§ 3.2-1716. Action of Governor if a simple majority of voters favors assessment
§ 3.2-1719. Collection and disposition of assessment by manufacturer; report
§ 3.2-1720. Records to be kept by manufacturer
§ 3.2-1721. Collection of delinquent assessments; civil action