1. The director shall conduct a referendum as soon as possible among producers and Missouri retail marketers of propane to authorize the creation of the “Missouri Propane Education and Research Council” and the levying of an assessment on odorized propane. Upon approval of those persons representing two-thirds of the total gallonage of odorized propane voted in the retail marketer class and two-thirds of all propane voted in the producer class, meaning propane sold or produced in the previous calendar year or other representative period, the director shall issue an order establishing the council and call for nominations to the council from qualified industry organizations. All persons voting in the referendum shall certify to the director the number of gallons represented by their vote.

2. Upon petition of the council or of producers and marketers representing thirty-five percent of the gallons in each class, the director shall hold a referendum to determine whether the industry favors termination or suspension of the order. The termination or suspension shall not take effect unless it is approved by those persons representing more than one-half of the total gallonage of odorized propane in the marketer class and one-half of all propane in the producer class.

3. The director may require such reports or documentation as is necessary to document the referendum process and shall protect the confidentiality of all such documentation provided by industry members. Information regarding propane produced or marketed by persons voting shall be a closed record.