---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2906"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2906"
heading: "Requirement of referendum"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2906"
units:
  - "Chapter 62 — Beef Research and Information"
---

# §2906. Requirement of referendum

- (a) **Continuation or termination of order—** For the purpose of determining whether the initial [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) shall be continued, not later than 22 months after the issuance of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) (or any earlier date recommended by the [Board](/usc/7/2902.md?p=3)), the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) shall conduct a referendum among [persons](/usc/7/2902.md?p=11) who have been [producers](/usc/7/2902.md?p=12) or [importers](/usc/7/2902.md?p=8) during a representative period, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16). The [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) shall be continued only if the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) determines that it has been approved by not less than a majority of the [producers](/usc/7/2902.md?p=12) voting in the referendum who, during a representative period as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16), have been engaged in the production of [cattle](/usc/7/2902.md?p=4). If continuation of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) is not approved by a majority of those voting in the referendum, the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) shall terminate collection of assessments under the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) within six months after the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) determines that continuation of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) is not favored by a majority voting in the referendum and shall terminate the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) in an orderly manner as soon as practicable after such determination.
- (b) **Additional referendum to determine suspension or termination of order—** After the initial referendum, the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) may conduct a referendum on the request of a representative group comprising 10 per centum or more of the number of [cattle](/usc/7/2902.md?p=4) [producers](/usc/7/2902.md?p=12) to determine whether [cattle](/usc/7/2902.md?p=4) [producers](/usc/7/2902.md?p=12) favor the termination or suspension of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10). The [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) shall suspend or terminate collection of assessments under the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) within six months after the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16) determines that suspension or termination of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) is favored by a majority of the [producers](/usc/7/2902.md?p=12) voting in the referendum who, during a representative period as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16), have been engaged in the production of [cattle](/usc/7/2902.md?p=4) and shall terminate or suspend the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) in an orderly manner as soon as practicable after such determination.
- (c) **Reimbursement for cost of referendum; time and place of referendum; certification by producers; absentee mail ballot—** The [Department](/usc/7/2902.md?p=7) shall be reimbursed from assessments collected by the [Board](/usc/7/2902.md?p=3) for any expenses incurred by the [Department](/usc/7/2902.md?p=7) in connection with conducting any referendum under this section, except for the salaries of Government employees. Any referendum conducted under this section shall be conducted on a date established by the [Secretary](/usc/7/2902.md?p=16), whereby [producers](/usc/7/2902.md?p=12) shall certify that they were engaged in the production of [cattle](/usc/7/2902.md?p=4) during the representative period and, on the same day, shall be provided an opportunity to vote in the referendum. Each referendum shall be conducted at county extension offices, and there shall be provision for an absentee mail ballot on request.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–294, § 7, May 28, 1976, 90 Stat. 531; Pub. L. 99–198, title XVI, § 1601(b), Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1604.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1985—Pub. L. 99–198 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to requirement of referendum for provisions relating to permissive terms and conditions in orders.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–198 effective Jan. 1, 1986, see section 1601(c) of Pub. L. 99–198, set out as a note under section 2901 of this title.