The secretary shall, by regulation, establish and maintain a modified point-of-origin inspection area whenever the cattle producers owning cattle in the affected area request the action by a two-thirds vote of those cattle producers, who are either property taxpayers, lessees, or residents of the affected area and who are present at a public hearing held at a central location in the area. The secretary shall hold a statewide hearing within sixty days of the passage of this act, and upon written request or petition signed by at least 25 cattle producers owning cattle in the affected area thereafter, to determine what areas wish to consider establishing a modified point-of-origin inspection area. Based on the testimony presented at these hearings, the secretary shall conduct local hearings in those areas where significant interest exists. The cost of each local hearing shall be borne by the producers in the area based on a written agreement between producers in the area and the secretary. Notice of the local hearing shall be publicized by the department at least 30 days prior to the hearing date through local publications and radio; shall be posted at all sales yards, slaughter plants and feedlots in the area; and shall be circulated to all known beef cattle and dairy cattle associations having producer members in the areas. The two-thirds vote of those attending pertains to these local hearings.
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 568, Sec. 1.2. Effective January 1, 2007.)