(a) With respect to employees of the State, the Governor is empowered to authorize a referendum, the cost of such referendum to be borne by the State, and, with respect to the employees of any political subdivision, the Governor shall authorize a referendum upon request of the governing body of such subdivision, the cost of such referendum to be borne by the political subdivision; and in either case the referendum shall be conducted, and the Governor shall designate an agency or individual to supervise its conduct, in accordance with the requirements of § 218(d)(3) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 418(d)(3)], on the question of whether service in positions covered by a retirement system established by the State or by a political subdivision thereof should be excluded from or included under an agreement under this chapter. The notice of referendum required by § 218(d)(3)(C) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 418(d)(3)(C)] to be given to employees shall contain or shall be accompanied by a statement, in such form and such detail as the agency or individual designated to supervise the referendum shall deem necessary and sufficient, to inform the employees of the rights which will accrue to them and their dependents and survivors and the liabilities to which they will be subject if their services are included under an agreement under this chapter.
(b) Upon receiving evidence satisfactory to the Governor that with respect to any such referendum the conditions specified in § 218(d)(3) of the Social Security Act have been met, the Governor shall so certify to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.