71135. (a) (1) Every five years, commencing with the fifth marketing season following the certification pursuant to Section 71104, the secretary shall conduct a referendum among handlers and producers. The operations of the commission shall continue unless the secretary determines from the referendum that a majority of the eligible handlers and a majority of the eligible producers voting in the referendum voted in favor of terminating the operations of this chapter.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the commission issues a declaration pursuant to Section 71050.5 and that declaration is in effect at the time that the secretary conducts a referendum pursuant to this section, a person shall be eligible to vote in the referendum conducted pursuant to this section if either of the following apply:(A) The person is a producer or handler.(B) The person is eligible to serve on the commission as a producer or handler member pursuant to clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of, or subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of, subdivision (a) of Section 71050.5.(b) If the secretary finds that the vote favors continuation, the secretary shall so certify and this chapter shall remain

or subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of, subdivision (a) of Section 71050.5.(b) If the secretary finds that the vote favors continuation, the secretary shall so certify and this chapter shall remain operative. If the secretary finds that the vote favors termination, the secretary shall so certify and declare the operation of this chapter and the commission suspended upon the expiration of the then current marketing season. Thereupon, the operations of the commission shall be concluded and funds distributed as provided in Section 71137.(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 84, Sec. 4. (AB 454) Effective July 21, 2023.)