(1) Any existing association which is fairly representative of burley tobacco in Kentucky, such as the Council for Burley Tobacco, may at any time after the enactment of KRS 247.710 to 247.785 make application to the State Board of Agriculture on forms prescribed by such board for certification and approval for the purpose of conducting a referendum among the producers of burley tobacco upon the question of levying an assessment under the provisions of KRS 247.710 to 247.785, and collecting and utilizing the same for the purpose stated in such referendum. Such application forms shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Applicant's name;
(b) Applicant's address;
(c) Date;
(d) Program to be undertaken for producers;
(e) Brief statement of how the program is to be implemented;
(f) Referendum to be conducted on a statewide or area basis;
(g) Proposed effective date of the program;
(h) Geographic area, by counties, of producers to be affected by the program; and (i) Signature of the applicant.
(2) Upon receipt of the application, the Commissioner shall publish the application through the medium of the public press in the state within ten (10) days of receipt thereof.