Senate Bill 2836 Summary

• Certifies the Mississippi Boll Weevil Management Corporation as the administering authority for all boll weevil management programs in the state, effective July 1, 2010.

• Establishes a Board of Directors composed of 10 voting members (two from each of five cotton-growing regions) and six nonvoting advisory members from state agencies, universities, and the legislature.

• Requires statewide referendums among cotton growers (with at least 20% participation and majority approval) to levy assessments not exceeding $1.00 per acre for administrative costs or $12.00 per acre for suppression, pre-eradication, eradication, or post-eradication programs.

• Creates the Mississippi Boll Weevil Management Corporation Trust Fund within the State Treasury to hold assessment revenues collected by the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, with funds disbursed upon requisition by the corporation's board.

• Allows unused program funds to be transferred to the Boll Weevil Management Fund for potential use in future boll weevil outbreaks and requires the corporation to submit assessment modification recommendations to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce for approval before referendums are held.