80-2-203. Participation in program -- fee. (1) A person or an association of persons engaged in the growing of crops or other agricultural or horticultural products subject to injury or destruction by hail may, by individual or joint election filed with and approved by the board of hail insurance, accept the provisions of this part and elect to become subject to this part. The risks may be classified by the board, and suitable fees may be imposed as agreed upon by the board and the persons. The persons are entitled to the benefits and protection afforded by the insurance provisions of this part.

(2) Each person who desires to become subject to the provisions of this part shall file with the department the properly filled out form not later than August 15. The person is chargeable with the fee provided for on lands growing crops subject to injury or destruction by hail and shall share in the protection and benefits under the hail insurance provisions of this part. The application for hail insurance is in full force and effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day immediately following submission of the application to the department.

(3) This part may not be construed to empower anyone except the actual owner of the land to make the land subject to the hail fee provided in this part.