--- kind: "section" citation: "7 U.S.C. § 4611" title: "7" title_heading: "Agriculture" number: "4611" heading: "Requirements of referendum" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/4611" units: - "Chapter 77 — Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information" --- # §4611. Requirements of referendum - (a) **In general—** For the purpose of ascertaining whether issuance of an order is approved by [producers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [importers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11), and in the case of an order assessing [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) shall conduct a referendum among [producers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [importers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11), and, in the case of an order assessing [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), not exempt under [section 4606(e)(4) of this title](/usc/7/4606.md?p=e-4), that, during a representative period determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22), have been engaged in the production, importation, or handling of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) or [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10). - (b) **Effectiveness of order—** - (1) **In general—** No order issued under this chapter shall be effective unless the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) determines that— - (A) the order is approved by a majority of the [producers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [importers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11), and if covered by the order, [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), voting in the referendum; and - (B) the [producers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [importers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11), and [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6) comprising the majority produced, imported, and handled not less than 50 percent of the quantity of the [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) produced, imported, and handled during the representative period by the [persons](/usc/7/4602.md?p=15) voting in the referendum. - (2) **Amendments to orders—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) may amend an order in accordance with the administrative procedures specified in sections [4604](/usc/7/4604.md) and [4605](/usc/7/4605.md) of this title, except that the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) may not amend a provision of an order that implements a provision of this chapter that specifically provides for approval in a referendum without the approval provided for in this section. - (c) **Producer-packers and importers—** - (1) **In general—** Each [producer-packer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=17) and each [importer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) shall have 1 vote as a [handler](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6) as well as 1 vote as a [producer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16) or [importer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) (unless exempt under [section 4606(e)(4) of this title](/usc/7/4606.md?p=e-4)) in all referenda concerning orders assessing [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6) to the extent that the individual [producer-packer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=17) or [importer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) owes assessments as a [handler](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6). - (2) **Attribution of quantity of honey—** For the purpose of [subsection (b)(1)(B)](#b-1-B)— - (A) the quantity of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) or [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) on which the qualifying [producer-packer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=17) or [importer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) owes assessments as a [handler](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6) shall be attributed to the [person](/usc/7/4602.md?p=15)’s vote as a [handler](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6) under [paragraph (1)](#c-1); and - (B) the quantity of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) or [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) on which the [producer-packer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=17) or [importer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) owes an assessment as a [producer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16) or [importer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) shall be attributed to the [person](/usc/7/4602.md?p=15)’s vote as a [producer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16) or [importer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11). - (d) **Confidentiality—** The ballots and other information or reports that reveal, or tend to reveal, the identity or vote of any [producer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [importer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11), or [handler](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6) of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) or [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 98–590, § 12, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3123; Pub. L. 105–185, title VI, § 605(k), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 600.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### Amendments 1998—Pub. L. 105–185 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For the purpose of ascertaining whether issuance of an order is approved or favored by producers and importers, the Secretary shall conduct a referendum among those producers and importers not exempt under section 4606(e)(2) of this title who, during a representative period determined by the Secretary, have been engaged in the production and importation of honey. No order issued pursuant to this chapter shall be effective unless the Secretary determines that the issuance of such an order is approved or favored by not less than two-thirds of the producers and importers voting in such referendum or by a majority of the producers and importers voting in such referendum if such majority produced and imported not less than two-thirds of the honey produced and imported during the representative period. The ballots and other information or reports which reveal, or tend to reveal, the vote of any producer or importer of honey shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed.”