(a) Before an implementation referendum vote conducted by the secretary pursuant to this article, a proponent of the establishment of the council shall deposit with the secretary the amount that the secretary deems necessary to defray the expenses of analyzing the proposed council and certifying the necessary list of producers submitted by the Bureau of Livestock Identification and conducting the vote.
(b) Any funds not used in conducting an implementation referendum established by this article shall be returned to the proponents of the council who deposited the funds with the secretary.
(c) Upon establishment of the council, the council may reimburse the proponents of the council for any funds deposited with the secretary that were used in carrying out this article, and for any legal expenses and costs incurred in establishing the council.
(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 410, Sec. 2. (SB 965) Effective January 1, 2019. Provisions operative or inoperative as prescribed in Sections 65061, 65066, 65068, and 65069. Repealed conditionally pursuant to Section 65066.)