---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 4506"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "4506"
heading: "Requirement of referendum"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/4506"
units:
  - "Chapter 76 — Dairy Research and Promotion"
  - "Subchapter I — Dairy Promotion Program"
---

# §4506. Requirement of referendum

- (a) Within the sixty-day period immediately preceding September 30, 1985, the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c) shall conduct a referendum among [producers](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h) who, during a representative period (as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c)), have been engaged in the production of [milk](/usc/7/4502.md?p=d) for commercial use for the purpose of ascertaining whether the order then in effect shall be continued. Such order shall be continued only if the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c) determines that it has been approved by not less than a majority of the [producers](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h) voting in the referendum, who during a representative period (as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c)) have been engaged in the production of [milk](/usc/7/4502.md?p=d) for commercial use. If continuation of the order is not approved by a majority of the [producers](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h) voting in the referendum, the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c) shall terminate collection of assessments under the order within six months after the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c) determines that such action is favored by a majority of the [producers](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h) voting in the referendum and shall terminate the order in an orderly manner as soon as practicable after such determination.
- (b) The [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c) shall be reimbursed from assessments collected by the [Board](/usc/7/4502.md?p=a) for any expenses incurred by the [Department](/usc/7/4502.md?p=b) in connection with the conduct of any referendum under this section and [section 4507 of this title](/usc/7/4507.md), except for the salaries of Government employees.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–180, title I, § 115, Nov. 29, 1983, 97 Stat. 1141.)