This chapter, except as necessary to conduct an implementation referendum vote, shall not become operative until the secretary finds in a referendum vote conducted by the secretary that at least 40 percent of the total number of fishermen from the list established by the secretary pursuant to this article participated and that either of the following occurred:
(a) Sixty-five percent of the fishermen who voted in the referendum voted in favor of establishing the commission, and the fishermen so voting landed a majority of the total quantity of spiny lobster landed in the preceding fishing season by all of the fishermen who voted in the referendum.
(b) A majority of the fishermen who voted in the referendum voted in favor of establishing the commission, and the fishermen so voting landed 65 percent or more of the total quantity of spiny lobster landed in the preceding fishing season by all of the fishermen who voted in the referendum.
(Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 503, Sec. 1. (AB 944) Effective January 1, 2018. Repealed conditionally pursuant to Section 79182.5.)