(a) The qualified industry organization shall conduct at its own expense a referendum among wholesalers and retail marketers doing business in the State of Alabama on the question of whether to levy upon themselves an assessment. The referendum shall be conducted on a statewide basis as determined by the qualified industry organization. The council, if established, shall reimburse the qualified industry organization for the cost of the referendum, accounting, and documentation. The referendum shall be conducted by an independent auditing firm as determined and selected by the qualified industry organization. The results, as certified by the independent auditing firm, shall be submitted to the Secretary of State within 30 days of certification. Voting rights in the referendum shall be based on the volume of odorized propane sold by retail marketers and wholesalers in the previous calendar year in the State of Alabama. Upon approval of those persons representing two-thirds of the total volume of odorized propane sold in the State of Alabama voting in the retail marketer class and two-thirds of the total odorized propane sold in the State of Alabama voting in the wholesaler class, the council shall be established, and shall be authorized to levy an assessment on odorized propane in accordance with Section 9-17-176. All persons voting in the referendum shall certify to the independent auditing firm the volume of odorized propane represented by their vote.

(b) In the event a referendum fails to receive the required number of affirmative votes, then the qualified industry organization conducting the referendum may call another referendum in the next succeeding years on the question of an assessment except that no referendum may be held within 12 months from the date on which the last referendum was held.

(c) On the council's own initiative, or on petition to the council by retail marketers representing 40 percent of the volume of odorized propane sold in the previous calendar year in the State of Alabama, the council, at its own expense, shall hold a referendum to be conducted by an independent auditing firm selected by the council, to determine whether the industry favors termination or suspension of the council. Termination or suspension shall not take effect unless it is approved by persons representing more than one half of the total volume of odorized propane sold in the previous calendar year in the State of Alabama in the retail marketer class and more than one half of the total volume of odorized propane sold in the previous calendar year in the State of Alabama in the wholesaler class.