80 FR 65972 - Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order; Termination of Rulemaking Proceeding

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 208 (October 28, 2015)

Page Range		65972-65973
FR Document		2015-27448

This action terminates a rulemaking proceeding that proposed to establish a Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order) under authority in the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act). The Order was proposed by the proponent group, the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC), and would have authorized a national research and promotion program for hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood. USDA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking in response to the extensive comments received. Based on comments received, outstanding substantive questions and significant proposed modifications from stakeholders, USDA is terminating the proceeding. Termination of this proceeding will remove ex parte communication prohibitions and allow USDA to engage fully with all interested parties to discuss and consider the evolving needs of the industry going forward.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65972-65973]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27448]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 65972]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1211

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-11-0074; PR-A1, A2, B and B2]


Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and 
Information Order; Termination of Rulemaking Proceeding

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Termination of proceeding.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action terminates a rulemaking proceeding that proposed 
to establish a Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research 
and Information Order (Order) under authority in the Commodity 
Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act). The Order 
was proposed by the proponent group, the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC), 
and would have authorized a national research and promotion program for 
hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood. USDA issued a supplemental notice 
of proposed rulemaking in response to the extensive comments received. 
Based on comments received, outstanding substantive questions and 
significant proposed modifications from stakeholders, USDA is 
terminating the proceeding. Termination of this proceeding will remove 
ex parte communication prohibitions and allow USDA to engage fully with 
all interested parties to discuss and consider the evolving needs of 
the industry going forward.

DATES: This termination is made on October 29, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia A. Petrella, Promotion and 
Economics Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Room 1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-
0244; Telephone: (301) 334-2891, Fax: (301) 334-2896, or Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Prior documents in this proceeding include: 
A proposed rule published in the Federal Register on November 13, 2013 
(78 FR 68298), which provided a 60-day comment period that ended on 
January 13, 2014. On January 16, 2014, a notice was published in the 
Federal Register that reopened and extended the comment period until 
February 18, 2014 (79 FR 2805). A supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2015 (80 FR 
32493). On July 1, 2015, a notice was published in the Federal Register 
that extended the comment period until September 7, 2015 (80 FR 37555).

Preliminary Statement

    In June 2011, USDA received a proposal for a national research and 
promotion program for hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood from the 
BRC. The BRC is a committee of 14 hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood 
industry leaders representing small and large manufacturers 
geographically distributed throughout the United States.
    The BRC proposed a program that would be financed by an assessment 
on hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood manufacturers and administered 
by a board of industry members selected by the Secretary. The purpose 
of the program would be to strengthen the position of hardwood lumber 
and hardwood plywood in the marketplace and maintain and expand markets 
for hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood.
    A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on November 
13, 2013, which provided a 60-day comment period that ended on January 
13, 2014. On January 16, 2014, a notice was published in the Federal 
Register that reopened and extended the comment period until February 
18, 2014. In response to the proposed rule, USDA received over 900 
comments; a significant majority of the comments opposed the proposed 
program. In order to address the voluminous comments, USDA issued a 
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on June 9, 2015, which 
reopened the comment period only with respect to specific issues. The 
comment period was extended until September 7, 2015, by a notice in the 
Federal Register on July 1, 2015. In response to the supplemental 
notice, USDA received over 300 comments; a majority of the comments 
continued to oppose the program. Based on all the comments received, 
outstanding substantive questions and significant proposed 
modifications to the proposed program from stakeholders, USDA is 
terminating the proceeding. This action also terminates the proposed 
rules on the referendum procedures.
    Termination of this proceeding will remove ex parte communication 
prohibitions and allow USDA to engage fully with all interested parties 
to discuss and consider the evolving needs of the industry going 
forward. Based on the above, USDA is terminating this rulemaking 
proceeding.

Regulatory Flexibility Act and Paperwork Reduction Act

    As part of the proceeding conducted for this rulemaking, the 
provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612) and the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1955 (Pub. L. 104-13) were considered. 
Because this action terminates the underlying rulemaking proceeding, 
the economic conditions of small entities are not changed as a result 
of this action, nor have any compliance requirements changed. Also, 
this action does not provide for any new or changed reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements. Accordingly, all supporting forms for the 
proposed program will be withdrawn.

Termination of Proceeding

    In view of the foregoing, it is hereby determined that the 
proceeding proposing a national research and promotion program for 
hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood should be and is hereby 
terminated.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1211

    Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Consumer 
information, Marketing agreements, Hardwood lumber promotion, Hardwood 
plywood promotion, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425; 7 U.S.C. 7401.


[[Page 65973]]


    Dated: October 23, 2015.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-27448 Filed 10-27-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Proposed Rules 65973

Dated: October 23, 2015. Comments also are available for Web Where the Commission has previously
Rex A. Barnes, site viewing and printing in the made a determination of a rule’s impact
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Commission’s Public Reference Room, on small businesses, the determination
Marketing Service. 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549 is noted on the list.
[FR Doc. 2015–27448 Filed 10–27–15; 8:45 am] on official business days between the The Commission particularly solicits
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. All public comment on whether the rules
comments received will be posted listed below affect small businesses in
without change; we do not edit personal new or different ways than when they
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE identifying information from were first adopted. The rules and forms
submissions. You should submit only listed below are scheduled for review by
COMMISSION
information that you wish to make staff of the Commission during the next
17 CFR Chapter II available publicly. 12 months. The list includes 21 rules
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: adopted by the Commission in 2004.
[Release Nos. 33–9965, 34–76240, 39–2507, Title: Shareholder Reports and
IC–31879, IA–4238; File No. S7–21–15] Anne Sullivan, Office of the General
Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure of
Counsel, 202–551–5019.
Registered Management Investment
List of Rules To Be Reviewed Pursuant SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Companies.
to the Regulatory Flexibility Act Regulatory Flexibility Act (‘‘RFA’’), Citation: 17 CFR 270.30b1–5; 17 CFR
codified at 5 U.S.C. 600–611, requires 270.30a–2; 17 CFR 270.30a–3; 17 CFR
AGENCY: Securities and Exchange
an agency to review its rules that have 270.30d–1; 17 CFR 249.331; 17 CFR
Commission.
a significant economic impact upon a 249.332; 17 CFR 239.14; 17 CFR
ACTION: Publication of list of rules substantial number of small entities
scheduled for review. 239.15A; 17 CFR 239.17; 17 CFR
within ten years of the publication of 274.11A; 17 CFR 274.11a–1; 17 CFR
SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange such rules as final rules. 5 U.S.C. 610(a). 274.11b; 17 CFR 274.130; 17 CFR
Commission is publishing a list of rules The purpose of the review is ‘‘to 274.128; 17 CFR 210.6; and 17 CFR
to be reviewed pursuant to Section 610 determine whether such rules should be 210.12.
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The continued without change, or should be Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77e, 77f, 77g,
list is published to provide the public amended or rescinded . . . to minimize 77h, 77j, 77s(a), and 77z–3; 78j(b), 78l,
with notice that these rules are any significant economic impact of the 78m, 78o(d), 78w(a), and 78mm; 80a–
scheduled for review by the agency and rules upon a substantial number of such 6(c), 80a–8, 80a–24, 80a–24(a), 80a–29,
to invite public comment on whether small entities.’’ 5 U.S.C. 610(a). The 80a–30, and 80a–37.
the rules should be continued without RFA sets forth specific considerations Description: The amendments require
change, or should be amended or that must be addressed in the review of open-end management investment
rescinded to minimize any significant each rule: companies to disclose fund expenses
economic impact of the rules upon a • The continued need for the rule; borne by shareholders during the
substantial number of such small • The nature of complaints or reporting period in reports to
entities. comments received concerning the rule shareholders; permit a management
from the public; investment company registered under
DATES:Comments should be submitted • The complexity of the rule; the Investment Company Act to include
by November 27, 2015. • The extent to which the rule a summary portfolio schedule in its
ADDRESSES: Comments may be overlaps, duplicates or conflicts with reports to shareholders; exempt money
submitted by any of the following other federal rules, and, to the extent market funds from including a portfolio
methods: feasible, with state and local schedule in reports to shareholders
governmental rules; and provided that the complete portfolio
Electronic Comments
• The length of time since the rule schedule is filed with the Commission
• Use the Commission’s Internet has been evaluated or the degree to on Form N–CSR and is provided to
comment form (http://www.sec.gov/ which technology, economic conditions, shareholders free of charge; require
rules/other.shtml); or or other factors have changed in the area reports to shareholders by funds to
• Send an email to rule-comments@ affected by the rule. 5 U.S.C. 610(c). include a tabular or graphic
sec.gov. Please include File Number The Securities and Exchange presentation of a fund’s portfolio
[S7–21–15] on the subject line; or Commission, as a matter of policy, holdings by identifiable categories;
• Use the Federal eRulemaking Portal reviews all final rules that it published require a fund to file its complete
(http://www.regulations.gov). Follow the for notice and comment to assess not portfolio schedule as of the end of its
instructions for submitting comments. only their continued compliance with first and third fiscal quarters with the
Paper Comments the RFA, but also to assess generally Commission on new Form N–Q and
their continued utility. When the certified by the fund’s principal
• Send paper comments to Brent Commission implemented the Act in executive and financial officers; and
Fields, Secretary, Securities and 1980, it stated that it ‘‘intend[ed] to require a mutual fund to include
Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., conduct a broader review [than that Management’s Discussion of Fund
Washington, DC 20549–1090. required by the RFA], with a view to Performance in its annual report to
All submissions should refer to File No. identifying those rules in need of shareholders.
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

S7–21–15. This file number should be modification or even rescission.’’ Prior Commission Determination
included on the subject line if email is Securities Act Release No. 6302 (Mar. Under 5 U.S.C. 601: A Final Regulatory
used. To help us process and review 20, 1981), 46 FR 19251 (Mar. 30, 1981). Flexibility Analysis was prepared in
your comments more efficiently, please The list below is therefore broader than accordance with 5 U.S.C. 604 in
use only one method. The Commission that required by the RFA, and may conjunction with the Commission’s
will post all comments on the include rules that do not have a adoption of Release No. 33–8393 (Feb.
Commission’s Internet Web site (http:// significant economic impact on a 27, 2004). The Commission considered
www.sec.gov/rules/other.shtml). substantial number of small entities. comments received on the proposing

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Document Created: 2018-02-27 08:58:16
Document Modified: 2018-02-27 08:58:16

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Termination of proceeding.
Dates		This termination is made on October 29, 2015.
Contact		Patricia A. Petrella, Promotion and Economics Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250- 0244; Telephone: (301) 334-2891, Fax: (301) 334-2896, or Email: [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 65972
CFR Associated		Administrative Practice and Procedure; Advertising; Consumer Information; Marketing Agreements; Hardwood Lumber Promotion; Hardwood Plywood Promotion and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

80 FR 65972 - Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order; Termination of Rulemaking Proceeding

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAgricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 208 (October 28, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service