HB2709eng 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2709 Engrossed LRB098 08615 CEL 38733 b

AN ACT concerning agriculture.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Wheat Development Act is amended by changing Sections 25, 30, 70, and 75 as follows:

(505 ILCS 145/25)

Sec. 25. Temporary program committee; proposals; procedures. After the effective date of this Act if there are sponsors willing and able to meet the requirements of Section 35, the Director shall appoint a temporary wheat development program committee consisting of 7 members who are wheat producers nominated by an association representing wheat producers to develop a wheat development program proposal. The proposal shall be considered at a public hearing. After the close of the public hearing, the Director and temporary wheat development program committee shall send copies of their findings to all parties of record appearing at the hearing. If the proposal is approved by the temporary wheat development program committee, a referendum shall be held on the proposal in accordance with Section 30 of this Act.

The Director, upon recommendation of the temporary wheat development program committee, shall establish procedures for the qualifications of producers for wheat development programs, the participation of producers in hearings and referenda, and other procedures necessary in the development and adoption of a wheat development program. These procedures shall not be subject to the provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act; however, the Director shall take any necessary steps to inform affected persons of the procedures, including publication of the procedures in the Illinois Register.

(Source: P.A. 90-377, eff. 8-14-97.)

(505 ILCS 145/30)

Sec. 30. Referenda; petitions. Within 90 days after final approval of any proposed wheat development program by the temporary wheat development program committee, the Director shall determine by referendum whether the affected producers assent to the proposed wheat development program. The proposed wheat development program is approved when a majority of those voting in the referendum vote in favor of the proposed wheat development program. Following approval of the program, the Department shall file the program with the Secretary of State as provided in Section 5-65 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

If a proposed wheat development program is not approved by referendum, no additional referendum on a wheat development program may be held for 2 years from the date of the close of the referendum period. An additional referendum shall be called by the Director upon request by petition of 500 producers of wheat from across the State. Before holding an additional referendum, the Director shall appoint a temporary wheat development program committee consisting of 7 members who are wheat producers nominated by an association representing wheat producers. The temporary wheat development program committee shall follow the procedures set forth in Section 25.

(Source: P.A. 90-377, eff. 8-14-97.)

(505 ILCS 145/70)

Sec. 70. Assessments. A properly qualified wheat development program shall provide for assessments against producers of the affected commodity to defray the costs of the activities provided for in the wheat development program. Assessments authorized in a wheat development program shall be based on the quantity of commodity marketed and shall be equitably assessed against all affected producers.

The total assessment levied on the commodity of any affected producer may shall be up to 1.5 cents per bushel of wheat produced and sold by that producer as established by the temporary program committee. After the first 5 years a program is in operation, the wheat development board may request the Director to hold a referendum to increase the assessment rate.

A referendum to increase the assessment rate shall be considered approved if a majority of those producers voting in the referendum vote in favor of the increase. The wheat development board shall increase the rate as set in the referendum.

The wheat development board shall require the first purchaser of wheat to withhold and remit the assessments to the wheat development board. A first purchaser remitting the assessments for any producer shall deduct the proper amount of assessment from any amount that he owes to the producer. The wheat development board shall have the power to cause any duly authorized agent or representative to enter upon the premises of any purchaser of wheat and examine or cause to be examined only books, papers, and records that deal in any way with respect to the payment of the assessment or enforcement of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 90-377, eff. 8-14-97.)

(505 ILCS 145/75)

Sec. 75. Refunds. A producer who has sold wheat and has an assessment deducted from the sale price may, by application in writing to the board, secure a refund in the amount deducted. The refund shall be payable only if the application has been made to the board within 90 60 days after the deduction. Interest shall be allowed and paid at the rate of 6% per annum upon the total amount of the assessment imposed by this Act, except that if any assessment is refunded within 90 days after an application for refund has been made within the required 60 days after deduction or within 90 days after the first purchaser of wheat remits the assessments withheld and deducted to the wheat development board, whichever is later, no interest shall be allowed on such assessment. An application for refund by a producer shall provide proof of assessment deducted.

(Source: P.A. 90-377, eff. 8-14-97.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.