---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7417"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7417"
heading: "Referenda"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7417"
units:
  - "Chapter 101 — Agricultural Promotion"
  - "Subchapter II — Issuance of Orders for Promotion, Research, and Information Activities Regarding Agricultural Commodities"
---

# §7417. Referenda

- (a) **Initial referendum—**
  - (1) **Optional referendum—** For the purpose of ascertaining whether the [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) to be covered by an [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) favor the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) going into effect, the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) may provide for the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) to conduct an initial referendum among [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) to be subject to an assessment under [section 7416 of this title](/usc/7/7416.md) who, during a representative period determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14), engaged in—
    - (A) the production or handling of the [agricultural commodity](/usc/7/7412.md?p=1) covered by the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9); or
    - (B) the importation of the [agricultural commodity](/usc/7/7412.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Procedure—** The results of the referendum shall be determined in accordance with [subsection (e)](#e). The [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) may require that the [agricultural commodity](/usc/7/7412.md?p=1) industry involved post a bond or other collateral to cover the cost of the referendum.
- (b) **Required referenda—**
  - (1) **In general—** For the purpose of ascertaining whether the [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) covered by an [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) favor the continuation, suspension, or termination of the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) shall conduct a referendum among [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) subject to assessments under [section 7416 of this title](/usc/7/7416.md) who, during a representative period determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14), have engaged in—
    - (A) the production or handling of the [agricultural commodity](/usc/7/7412.md?p=1) covered by the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9); or
    - (B) the importation of the [agricultural commodity](/usc/7/7412.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Time for referendum—** The referendum shall be conducted not later than 3 years after assessments first begin under the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9).
  - (3) **Exception—** This subsection shall not apply if an initial referendum was conducted under [subsection (a)](#a).
- (c) **Subsequent referenda—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) shall conduct a subsequent referendum—
  - (1) not later than 7 years after assessments first begin under the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9);
  - (2) at the request of the [board](/usc/7/7412.md?p=2) established under the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9); or
  - (3) at the request of 10 percent or more of the number of [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) eligible to vote under [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1);

  to determine if the [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) favor the continuation, suspension, or termination of the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9).

- (d) **Other referenda—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) may conduct a referendum at any time to determine whether the continuation, suspension, or termination of the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) or a provision of the [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) is favored by [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) eligible to vote under [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1).
- (e) **Approval of order—** An [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) may provide for its approval in a referendum—
  - (1) by a majority of those [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) voting;
  - (2) by [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) voting for approval who represent a majority of the volume of the [agricultural commodity](/usc/7/7412.md?p=1); or
  - (3) by a majority of those [persons](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) voting for approval who also represent a majority of the volume of the [agricultural commodity](/usc/7/7412.md?p=1).
- (f) **Costs of referenda—** The [board](/usc/7/7412.md?p=2) established under an [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) with respect to which a referendum is conducted under this section shall reimburse the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) for any expenses incurred by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) to conduct the referendum.
- (g) **Manner of conducting referenda—**
  - (1) **In general—** A referendum conducted under this section shall be conducted in the manner determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) to be appropriate.
  - (2) **Advance registration—** If the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) determines that an advance registration of eligible voters in a referendum is necessary before the voting period in [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9) to facilitate the conduct of the referendum, the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) may institute the advance registration procedures by mail, or in [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) through the use of national and local offices of the [Department](/usc/7/7412.md?p=4).
  - (3) **Voting—** Eligible voters may vote by mail ballot in the referendum or in [person](/usc/7/7412.md?p=10) if so prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14).
  - (4) **Notice—** Not later than 30 days before a referendum is conducted under this section with respect to an [order](/usc/7/7412.md?p=9), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14) shall notify the [agricultural commodity](/usc/7/7412.md?p=1) industry involved, in such manner as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7412.md?p=14), of the period during which voting in the referendum will occur. The notice shall explain any registration and voting procedures established under this subsection.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–127, title V, § 518, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1043.)