82 FR 39369 - Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington; Increased Assessment Rate
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 159 (August 18, 2017)
Agricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 159 (August 18, 2017)
| Page Range | 39369-39371 | |
| FR Document | 2017-17488 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 159 (Friday, August 18, 2017)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 39369-39371] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-17488] ======================================================================== 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. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 159 / Friday, August 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules [[Page 39369]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 982 [Doc. No. AMS-SC-17-0036; SC17-982-1 PR] Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington; Increased Assessment Rate AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Hazelnut Marketing Board (Board) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2017-2018 and subsequent marketing years from $0.005 to $0.006 per pound of hazelnuts handled under the marketing order (order). The Board locally administers the order and is comprised of growers and handlers of hazelnuts operating within the area of production. The Board's membership also includes one public member. Assessments upon hazelnut handlers are used by the Board to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The marketing year begins July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. DATES: Comments must be received by September 18, 2017. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this proposed rule. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference the document number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be available for public inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made public on the Internet at the address provided above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Novotny, Marketing Specialist, or Gary D. Olson, Regional Director, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440, or Email: [email protected] or [email protected]. Small businesses may request information on complying with this regulation by contacting Richard Lower, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202)720-8938, or Email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposed rule is issued under Marketing Agreement No. 115 and Order No. 982, both as amended (7 CFR part 982), regulating the handling of hazelnuts grown in Oregon and Washington, hereinafter referred to as the ``order.'' The order is effective under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.'' The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this proposed rule in conformance with Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13175. Additionally, because this rule does not meet the definition of a significant regulatory action, it does not trigger the requirements contained in Executive Order 13771. See the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Memorandum titled, ``Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of January 30, 2017, titled `Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs'[thinsp]'' (February 2, 2017). This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. Under the marketing order now in effect, Oregon and Washington hazelnut handlers are subject to assessments. Funds to administer the order are derived from such assessments. It is intended that the assessment rate as proposed herein would be applicable to all assessable hazelnuts beginning on July 1, 2017, and continue until amended, suspended, or terminated. The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the Act, any handler subject to an order may file with USDA a petition stating that the order, any provision of the order, or any obligation imposed in connection with the order is not in accordance with law and request a modification of the order or to be exempted therefrom. Such handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on the petition. After the hearing, USDA would rule on the petition. The Act provides that the district court of the United States in any district in which the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or her principal place of business, has jurisdiction to review USDA's ruling on the petition, provided an action is filed not later than 20 days after the date of the entry of the ruling. This proposed rule would increase the assessment rate for the 2017- 2018 and subsequent marketing years from $0.005 to $0.006 per pound of hazelnuts. The order provides authority for the Hazelnut Marketing Board (Board), with the approval of USDA, to formulate an annual budget of expenses and collect assessments from handlers to administer the program. The members and alternate members of the Board are growers and handlers of Oregon and Washington hazelnuts. The Board's membership also includes one public member and an alternate public member, neither of whom are involved in the production or handling of hazelnuts. The Board members are familiar with the program's needs and with the costs for goods and services in their local area and are thus in a position to formulate an appropriate budget and assessment rate. The assessment rate is formulated and discussed in a public meeting. Thus, all directly affected persons have an opportunity to participate and provide input. For the 2000-2001 and subsequent marketing years, the Board recommended, and USDA approved, an assessment rate that would continue in [[Page 39370]] effect from marketing year to marketing year unless modified, suspended, or terminated by USDA upon recommendation and information submitted by the Board or other information available to USDA. The Board met on May 17, 2017, and unanimously recommended 2017- 2018 marketing year expenditures of $878,627 and an assessment rate of $0.006 per pound of hazelnuts handled. In comparison, last year's budgeted expenditures were $765,598. The assessment rate of $0.006 per pound is $0.001 per pound higher than the rate currently in effect. The major expenditures recommended by the Board for the 2017-2018 marketing year include $210,590 for administrative expenses, $111,000 for a crop survey, $342,037 for promotional activities, $35,000 for consulting, and $180,000 for undesignated emergency/miscellaneous expenses. Budgeted expenses for these items in the 2016-2017 marketing year were $138,088, $96,000, $234,510, $35,000, and $262,000, respectively. The increase in administrative expenses reflects the addition of an administrative staff member. The budget increase for marketing and promotion expenditures reflects the Board's desire to improve domestic hazelnut's share of the edible nut market and to increase consumer awareness of Oregon and Washington hazelnut products. The assessment rate recommended by the Board was derived at an annual meeting of the Board where budgetary matters for the forthcoming marketing year were discussed. After an open discussion with growers, handlers, and industry personnel, the Board established a crop estimate for the 2017-2018 marketing year. The Board considered the crop estimate, the recommended 2017-2018 marketing year expenses, and the Board's financial reserve when it recommended the assessment rate increase. Shipments for the year are estimated to be 80,000,000 pounds, which should provide $480,000 in assessment income at the $0.006 per pound assessment rate. Income derived from handler assessments, along with funds from the Board's authorized reserve and other income, would be adequate to cover budgeted expenses. Section 982.62(a) of the order specifies that the financial reserve is not to exceed approximately one marketing year's operational expenses. The Board expects its financial reserve to be $316,881 at the beginning of the 2017-2018 marketing year and $117,348 at the end of the year, which would be within the reserve limit authorized under the order. The proposed assessment rate would continue in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated by USDA upon recommendation and information submitted by the Board or other available information. Although this assessment rate would be in effect for an indefinite period, the Board would continue to meet prior to or during each marketing year to recommend a budget of expenses and consider recommendations for modification of the assessment rate. The dates and times of Board meetings are available from the Board or USDA. Board meetings are open to the public and interested persons may express their views at these meetings. USDA would evaluate Board recommendations and other available information to determine whether modification of the assessment rate is needed. Further rulemaking would be undertaken as necessary. The Board's 2017-2018 marketing year budget, and those for subsequent marketing years, would be reviewed and, as appropriate, approved by USDA. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has considered the economic impact of this proposed rule on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has prepared this initial regulatory flexibility analysis. The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of businesses subject to such actions in order that small businesses will not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued pursuant to the Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are unique in that they are brought about through group action of essentially small entities acting on their own behalf. According to the Board, there are approximately 800 growers of hazelnuts in the production area and approximately 17 handlers subject to regulation under the marketing order. Small agricultural producers (growers) are defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as those having annual receipts less than $750,000, and small agricultural service firms (handlers) are defined as those whose annual receipts are less than $7,500,000 (13 CFR 121.201). According to the latest National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) data, 2015 grower prices averaged $1.40 per pound. With a total production of 62,000,000 pounds in the same year, the farm gate value for hazelnuts in 2015 totaled $86.8 million ($1.40 per pound multiplied by 62,000,000 pounds). Taking the total 2015 value of production for hazelnuts and dividing it by the approximate number of hazelnut growers provides an average return per grower of $108,500. It is estimated by the Board that approximately 98 percent of hazelnut growers under the marketing order have annual receipts less than $750,000. Therefore, a majority of hazelnut growers are considered small entities under the SBA standards. According to the Board, four of the approximately 17 hazelnut handlers process and ship 80 percent of the total crop. An estimation of handler receipts can be calculated using the same 2015 farm gate value of $86.8 million from NASS, described above. Multiplying $86.8 million by 80 percent ($86.8 million x 80 percent = $69.4 million) and dividing by four indicates that the largest hazelnut handlers received an estimated $17.4 million each. Dividing the remaining 20 percent ($17.4 million) by the remaining 13 handlers yields average annual receipts of $1.3 million per handler. Therefore, under SBA's definition of a small business, about 24 percent of handlers could be considered large businesses and about 76 percent could be considered small businesses. Thus, the majority of hazelnut handlers in Oregon and Washington may be classified as small entities. This proposal would increase the assessment rate established for the Board and collected from handlers for the 2017-2018 and subsequent marketing years from $0.005 to $0.006 per pound of hazelnuts handled. The Board unanimously recommended 2017-2018 expenditures of $878,627 and an assessment rate of $0.006 per pound. The proposed assessment rate of $0.006 per pound is $0.001 per pound higher than the 2016-2017 rate. The quantity of assessable hazelnuts for the 2017-2018 marketing year is estimated at 80,000,000 pounds. Thus, the $0.006 per pound rate should provide $480,000 in assessment income. This amount, along with the Board's reserve funds and other income, should be adequate to cover budgeted expenses. The major expenditures recommended by the Board for the 2017-2018 marketing year include $210,590 for administrative expenses, $111,000 for a crop survey, $342,037 for promotional activities, $35,000 for consulting, and $180,000 for undesignated emergency/miscellaneous expenses. Budgeted expenses for these items in the 2016-2017 marketing year were $138,088, $96,000, $234,510, $35,000, and $262,000, respectively. The Board believes there is a need to expand its promotion and outreach [[Page 39371]] activities to increase consumers' awareness of, and desire for, Oregon and Washington hazelnuts in the edible tree nut market. The Oregon and Washington hazelnut industry has experienced a large amount of growth in new orchard plantings in recent years. The supply of hazelnuts grown in the production area is expected to increase greatly as newly planted trees come into nut bearing age (approximately 3 to 7 years after planting, depending on the variety of hazelnut tree). The proposed increase to the assessment rate is necessary to fund expanded promotional activities intended to assist marketing of the anticipated increased supply of hazelnuts in the forthcoming years. Prior to arriving at this budget and assessment rate, the Board considered information from various sources, such as the Board's Budget and Personnel Committee, representatives from private research firms, and input from industry personnel. Alternative expenditure levels were discussed by these groups, based upon the relative value of various activities to the hazelnut industry. Many growers at the May 17, 2017, meeting were in favor of even greater spending by the Board on promotional activities for hazelnuts, while handlers were more conservative. The Board ultimately determined that 2017-2018 marketing year expenditures of $878,627 were appropriate, and the recommended assessment rate, when combined with reserve funds and other income, would generate sufficient revenue to meet its budgeted expenses. Further, the Board will maintain a $180,000 emergency fund throughout the 2017-2018 marketing year in order to cover any unforeseen or emergency operational expenses. If the 2017-2018 emergency funds are not expended, the resulting operating reserve would not exceed the limit authorized under the order. A review of historical information and preliminary information pertaining to the upcoming marketing year indicates that the grower price for the 2017-2018 marketing year could range between $0.81 and $1.80 per pound (NASS, 2017). Therefore, the estimated assessment revenue for the 2017-2018 marketing year as a percentage of total grower revenue could range between 0.74 and 0.33 percent, respectively. This action would increase the assessment obligation imposed on handlers. While assessments impose some additional costs on handlers, the costs are minimal and uniform on all handlers. Some of the additional costs may be passed on to growers. However, these costs would be offset by the benefits derived by the operation of the marketing order. In addition, the Board's meeting was widely publicized throughout the Oregon and Washington hazelnut industry, and all interested persons were invited to attend the meeting and participate in Board deliberations on all issues. Like all Board meetings, the May 17, 2017, meeting was a public meeting, and all entities, both large and small, were able to express views on this issue. Finally, interested persons are invited to submit comments on this proposed rule, including the regulatory and informational impacts of this action on small businesses. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the order's information collection requirements have been previously approved by OMB and assigned OMB No. 0581-0178, Vegetable and Specialty Crops. No changes in those requirements as a result of this action are necessary. Should any changes become necessary, they would be submitted to OMB for approval. This proposed rule would impose no additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on either small or large Oregon and Washington hazelnut handlers. As with all Federal marketing order programs, reports and forms are periodically reviewed to reduce information requirements and duplication by industry and public sector agencies. AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes. USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this proposed action. A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses. Any questions about the compliance guide should be sent to Richard Lower at the previously-mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. A 30-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to respond to this proposed rule. Thirty days is deemed appropriate because: (1) The 2017-2018 marketing year begins on July 1, 2017, and the marketing order requires that the rate of assessment for each marketing year apply to all assessable hazelnuts handled during such marketing year; (2) the Board needs to have sufficient funds to pay its expenses, which are incurred on a continuous basis; and (3) handlers are aware of this action, which was unanimously recommended by the Board at a public meeting and is similar to other assessment rate actions issued in the past. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 982 Hazelnuts, Marketing agreements, Nuts, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 982 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 982--HAZELNUTS GROWN IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON 0 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 982 continues to read as follows: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674. 0 2. Section 982.340 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 982.340 Assessment rate. On and after July 1, 2017, an assessment rate of $0.006 per pound is established for Oregon and Washington hazelnuts. Dated: August 15, 2017. Bruce Summers, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2017-17488 Filed 8-17-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
![39369
Proposed Rules Federal Register
Vol. 82, No. 159
Friday, August 18, 2017
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Clerk during regular business hours, or administer the order are derived from
contains notices to the public of the proposed can be viewed at: http:// such assessments. It is intended that the
issuance of rules and regulations. The www.regulations.gov. All comments assessment rate as proposed herein
purpose of these notices is to give interested submitted in response to this proposed would be applicable to all assessable
persons an opportunity to participate in the rule will be included in the record and hazelnuts beginning on July 1, 2017,
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
will be made available to the public. and continue until amended,
Please be advised that the identity of the suspended, or terminated.
individuals or entities submitting the The Act provides that administrative
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE comments will be made public on the proceedings must be exhausted before
Internet at the address provided above. parties may file suit in court. Under
Agricultural Marketing Service FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale section 608c(15)(A) of the Act, any
Novotny, Marketing Specialist, or Gary handler subject to an order may file
7 CFR Part 982 D. Olson, Regional Director, Northwest with USDA a petition stating that the
[Doc. No. AMS–SC–17–0036; SC17–982–1 Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order order, any provision of the order, or any
PR] and Agreement Division, Specialty obligation imposed in connection with
Crops Program, AMS, USDA; the order is not in accordance with law
Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Telephone: (503) 326–2724, Fax: (503) and request a modification of the order
Washington; Increased Assessment 326–7440, or Email: DaleJ.Novotny@ or to be exempted therefrom. Such
Rate ams.usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@ handler is afforded the opportunity for
ams.usda.gov. a hearing on the petition. After the
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, Small businesses may request hearing, USDA would rule on the
USDA. information on complying with this petition. The Act provides that the
ACTION: Proposed rule. regulation by contacting Richard Lower, district court of the United States in any
Marketing Order and Agreement district in which the handler is an
SUMMARY: This proposed rule would
Division, Specialty Crops Program, inhabitant, or has his or her principal
implement a recommendation from the
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence place of business, has jurisdiction to
Hazelnut Marketing Board (Board) to
Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, review USDA’s ruling on the petition,
increase the assessment rate established
DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720– provided an action is filed not later than
for the 2017–2018 and subsequent
2491, Fax: (202)720–8938, or Email: 20 days after the date of the entry of the
marketing years from $0.005 to $0.006
Richard.Lower@ams.usda.gov. ruling.
per pound of hazelnuts handled under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This This proposed rule would increase
the marketing order (order). The Board
proposed rule is issued under Marketing the assessment rate for the 2017–2018
locally administers the order and is
Agreement No. 115 and Order No. 982, and subsequent marketing years from
comprised of growers and handlers of
both as amended (7 CFR part 982), $0.005 to $0.006 per pound of
hazelnuts operating within the area of
regulating the handling of hazelnuts hazelnuts.
production. The Board’s membership
grown in Oregon and Washington, The order provides authority for the
also includes one public member.
hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘order.’’ Hazelnut Marketing Board (Board), with
Assessments upon hazelnut handlers
The order is effective under the the approval of USDA, to formulate an
are used by the Board to fund
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act annual budget of expenses and collect
reasonable and necessary expenses of
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), assessments from handlers to administer
the program. The marketing year begins
hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’ the program. The members and alternate
July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment
The Department of Agriculture members of the Board are growers and
rate would remain in effect indefinitely
(USDA) is issuing this proposed rule in handlers of Oregon and Washington
unless modified, suspended, or
conformance with Executive Orders hazelnuts. The Board’s membership also
terminated.
12866, 13563, and 13175. Additionally, includes one public member and an
DATES: Comments must be received by because this rule does not meet the alternate public member, neither of
September 18, 2017. definition of a significant regulatory whom are involved in the production or
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are action, it does not trigger the handling of hazelnuts. The Board
invited to submit written comments requirements contained in Executive members are familiar with the program’s
concerning this proposed rule. Order 13771. See the Office of needs and with the costs for goods and
Comments must be sent to the Docket Management and Budget’s (OMB) services in their local area and are thus
Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Memorandum titled, ‘‘Interim Guidance in a position to formulate an appropriate
Division, Specialty Crops Program, Implementing Section 2 of the Executive budget and assessment rate. The
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Order of January 30, 2017, titled assessment rate is formulated and
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with PROPOSALS
Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, ‘Reducing Regulation and Controlling discussed in a public meeting. Thus, all
DC 20250–0237; Fax: (202) 720–8938; or Regulatory Costs’ ’’ (February 2, 2017). directly affected persons have an
Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. This proposed rule has been reviewed opportunity to participate and provide
Comments should reference the under Executive Order 12988, Civil input.
document number and the date and Justice Reform. Under the marketing For the 2000–2001 and subsequent
page number of this issue of the Federal order now in effect, Oregon and marketing years, the Board
Register and will be available for public Washington hazelnut handlers are recommended, and USDA approved, an
inspection in the Office of the Docket subject to assessments. Funds to assessment rate that would continue in
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:16 Aug 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\18AUP1.SGM 18AUP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_39528/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 159 / Friday, August 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39371
activities to increase consumers’ benefits derived by the operation of the needs to have sufficient funds to pay its
awareness of, and desire for, Oregon and marketing order. In addition, the expenses, which are incurred on a
Washington hazelnuts in the edible tree Board’s meeting was widely publicized continuous basis; and (3) handlers are
nut market. The Oregon and throughout the Oregon and Washington aware of this action, which was
Washington hazelnut industry has hazelnut industry, and all interested unanimously recommended by the
experienced a large amount of growth in persons were invited to attend the Board at a public meeting and is similar
new orchard plantings in recent years. meeting and participate in Board to other assessment rate actions issued
The supply of hazelnuts grown in the deliberations on all issues. Like all in the past.
production area is expected to increase Board meetings, the May 17, 2017,
greatly as newly planted trees come into meeting was a public meeting, and all List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 982
nut bearing age (approximately 3 to 7 entities, both large and small, were able Hazelnuts, Marketing agreements,
years after planting, depending on the to express views on this issue. Finally, Nuts, Reporting and recordkeeping
variety of hazelnut tree). The proposed interested persons are invited to submit requirements.
increase to the assessment rate is comments on this proposed rule, For the reasons set forth in the
necessary to fund expanded including the regulatory and preamble, 7 CFR part 982 is proposed to
promotional activities intended to assist informational impacts of this action on be amended as follows:
marketing of the anticipated increased small businesses.
supply of hazelnuts in the forthcoming In accordance with the Paperwork PART 982—HAZELNUTS GROWN IN
years. Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. OREGON AND WASHINGTON
Prior to arriving at this budget and Chapter 35), the order’s information
assessment rate, the Board considered collection requirements have been ■ 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR
information from various sources, such previously approved by OMB and part 982 continues to read as follows:
as the Board’s Budget and Personnel assigned OMB No. 0581–0178, Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
Committee, representatives from private Vegetable and Specialty Crops. No
research firms, and input from industry changes in those requirements as a ■ 2. Section 982.340 is revised to read
personnel. Alternative expenditure result of this action are necessary. as follows:
levels were discussed by these groups, Should any changes become necessary, § 982.340 Assessment rate.
based upon the relative value of various they would be submitted to OMB for
activities to the hazelnut industry. Many approval. On and after July 1, 2017, an
growers at the May 17, 2017, meeting This proposed rule would impose no assessment rate of $0.006 per pound is
were in favor of even greater spending additional reporting or recordkeeping established for Oregon and Washington
by the Board on promotional activities requirements on either small or large hazelnuts.
for hazelnuts, while handlers were more Oregon and Washington hazelnut Dated: August 15, 2017.
conservative. handlers. As with all Federal marketing Bruce Summers,
The Board ultimately determined that order programs, reports and forms are Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
2017–2018 marketing year expenditures periodically reviewed to reduce Service.
of $878,627 were appropriate, and the information requirements and [FR Doc. 2017–17488 Filed 8–17–17; 8:45 am]
recommended assessment rate, when duplication by industry and public BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
combined with reserve funds and other sector agencies.
income, would generate sufficient AMS is committed to complying with
revenue to meet its budgeted expenses. the E-Government Act, to promote the
use of the Internet and other DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Further, the Board will maintain a
$180,000 emergency fund throughout information technologies to provide Veterans’ Employment and Training
the 2017–2018 marketing year in order increased opportunities for citizen Service
to cover any unforeseen or emergency access to Government information and
operational expenses. If the 2017–2018 services, and for other purposes. 20 CFR Part 1011
emergency funds are not expended, the USDA has not identified any relevant
resulting operating reserve would not Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or [Docket No. VETS–2017–0001]
exceed the limit authorized under the conflict with this proposed action.
RIN 1293–AA21
order. A small business guide on complying
A review of historical information and with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop HIRE Vets Medallion Program
preliminary information pertaining to marketing agreements and orders may
the upcoming marketing year indicates be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/ AGENCY: Veterans’ Employment and
that the grower price for the 2017–2018 rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses. Training Service (VETS), Labor.
marketing year could range between Any questions about the compliance ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
$0.81 and $1.80 per pound (NASS, guide should be sent to Richard Lower
2017). Therefore, the estimated at the previously-mentioned address in SUMMARY: VETS is publishing this
assessment revenue for the 2017–2018 the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
marketing year as a percentage of total section. to propose regulations implementing the
grower revenue could range between A 30-day comment period is provided Honoring Investments in Recruiting and
0.74 and 0.33 percent, respectively. to allow interested persons to respond Employing (HIRE) American Military
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with PROPOSALS
This action would increase the to this proposed rule. Thirty days is Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act of
assessment obligation imposed on deemed appropriate because: (1) The 2017 or Act). The HIRE Vets Act
handlers. While assessments impose 2017–2018 marketing year begins on requires the Department of Labor (DOL,
some additional costs on handlers, the July 1, 2017, and the marketing order Department) to annually solicit and
costs are minimal and uniform on all requires that the rate of assessment for accept voluntary information from
handlers. Some of the additional costs each marketing year apply to all employers for consideration of
may be passed on to growers. However, assessable hazelnuts handled during employers to receive a HIRE Vets
these costs would be offset by the such marketing year; (2) the Board Medallion Award. VETS will review
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:16 Aug 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\18AUP1.SGM 18AUP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_39528/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2017-08-18 07:40:29
Document Modified: 2017-08-18 07:40:29
| 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 | Proposed rule. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received by September 18, 2017. | |
| Contact | Dale Novotny, Marketing Specialist, or Gary D. Olson, Regional Director, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440, or Email: [email protected] or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 39369 | |
| CFR Associated | Hazelnuts; Marketing Agreements; Nuts and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR