(1) If the director receives a petition, bearing the signatures of not less than 33-1/3% of all growers, to terminate the commission, the director shall conduct a referendum by mail. The commission shall be terminated if 1 of the following occurs:

  (a) If more than 50%, by number, of those voting, representing more than 50% of the volume of potatoes sold by those voting, vote to terminate the commission.

  (b) If more than 50%, by number, of those voting, representing more than 50% of the volume of potatoes sold by those voting, vote to terminate the commission.

  (2) If the referendum in subsection (1) passes, the commission shall request repeal of this act and phase out operations within the ensuing 6 months. Any funds remaining in the commission fund shall be made available to the director for potato research.