Maximum allowable assessments greater than those provided in Section 64301 shall not be established unless approved by producers, handlers, and producer-handlers, with at least 40 percent of all producers, handlers, and producer-handlers on record with the department submitting valid ballots during the referendum period, and either of the following:
(a) A majority of producers, handlers, and producer-handlers voting in the referendum support the increase in the proposed higher maximum assessment allowed, and those producers, handlers, and producer-handlers voting in favor represent at least 65 percent of the total voted volume represented by each category.
(b) At least 65 percent of producers, handlers, and producer-handlers voting in the referendum support the increase in the proposed higher maximum assessment allowed, and those producers, handlers, and producer-handlers voting in favor represent a majority of the total voted volume represented by each category.
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 304, Sec. 100. (AB 590) Effective January 1, 2020.)