ENROLLED
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ACT No. 205
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 878
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEBAS
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 3:3553(A) and (B)(1) and 3556(A), relative to the Louisiana2
Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board; to provide relative to the use of3
funds; to repeal authority for referenda for the imposition and extension of4
assessments; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 3:3553(A) and (B)(1) and 3556(A) are hereby amended and7
reenacted to read as follows:8
§3553. Levy of assessment; referendum; collection; enforcement; refund9
A. There is imposed and levied an assessment at the rate of one cent per10
bushel on all soybeans grown within the state, this assessment to be deducted from11
the amount paid the producer at the first point of sale, whether within or without the12
state. However, the assessment shall not be imposed unless and until the question13
of its imposition has been submitted to and has been approved by at least a majority14
of the soybean producers who vote in referendum to be called and held by the board.15
The soybean producers of the state shall be notified by the board of the results of the16
referendum. The assessment imposed by this Subsection shall be effective for a17
period of five crop years. This assessment may be extended for an indefinite period18
of time, in increments of five years, by ratification and approval of a majority of the19
Louisiana soybean producers who vote in referenda to be called and held by the20
board in the manner set forth in this Chapter. In order to be eligible to vote in the21
referenda, the prospective voter must have produced soybeans in the crop year22
immediately preceding the referendum. Producers voting in referenda shall vote23
only in the parish in which the voter resides.24
B.(1) There is imposed and levied an assessment at the rate of one-half cent25
per bushel on all wheat, corn, and grain sorghum grown within the state. However,26
the assessment shall not be imposed unless and until the question of its imposition27 ENROLLEDHB NO. 878
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has been submitted to and has been approved by at least a majority of the wheat,1
corn, and grain sorghum producers who vote in a referendum to be called and held2
by the board. The wheat, corn, and grain sorghum producers of the state shall be3
notified of the results of the referendum. The assessment imposed by this Subsection4
shall be effective for a period of five crop years. This assessment may be extended5
for an indefinite period of time, in increments of five years, by ratification and6
approval of a majority of the producers of the commodities subject to the assessment7
who vote in referenda to be called and held by the board in the manner set forth in8
this Chapter. In order to be able to vote in the referenda, the prospective voter must9
have produced at least one of the commodities subject to the assessment in the year10
preceding the year in which the referendum is held or in the year in which the11
referendum is held. Producers voting in referenda shall vote only in the parish in12
which the voter resides.13
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§3556. Use of funds15
A. The Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board shall16
plan and conduct a program of research and advertising designed to promote the17
soybean, wheat, corn, and grain sorghum industries in Louisiana. The board is18
authorized to use the funds derived from any assessment imposed by this Chapter for19
these purposes, including basic administration expenses of the plan. Use of these20
funds may be applied, as prescribed in this Section, within or without the state of21
Louisiana, including regional, national, and international applications. The funds22
may also be used to defray costs of referenda.23
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SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: