83 FR 42805 - Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas; Decreased Assessment Rate
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 165 (August 24, 2018)
Agricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 165 (August 24, 2018)
| Page Range | 42805-42807 | |
| FR Document | 2018-18363 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 42805-42807] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-18363] ======================================================================== 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. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Proposed Rules [[Page 42805]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 906 [Doc. No. AMS-SC-18-0044; SC18-906-1 PR] Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas; Decreased Assessment Rate AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Texas Valley Citrus Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2018-19 and subsequent fiscal periods. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. DATES: Comments must be received by September 24, 2018. 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 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: Doris Jamieson, Marketing Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863) 291-8614, 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 action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, proposes an amendment to regulations issued to carry out a marketing order as defined in 7 CFR 900.2(j). This proposed rule is issued under Marketing Agreement and Order No. 906, as amended (7 CFR part 906), regulating the handling of oranges and grapefruit grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Part 906 (referred to as ``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 Committee locally administers the Order and is comprised of producers and handlers of oranges and grapefruit operating within the area of production. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this proposed rule in conformance with Executive Orders 13563 and 13175. This proposed rule falls within a category of regulatory actions that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) exempted from Executive Order 12866 review. Additionally, because this proposed rule does not meet the definition of a significant regulatory action, it does not trigger the requirements contained in Executive Order 13771. See OMB's Memorandum titled ``Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of January 30, 2017, titled `Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs' '' (February 2, 2017). This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. Under the Order now in effect, Texas citrus handlers are subject to assessments. Funds to administer the Order are derived from such assessments. It is intended that the assessment rate would be applicable to all assessable oranges and grapefruit for the 2018-19 crop year 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. The Order provides authority for the Committee, with the approval of USDA, to formulate an annual budget of expenses and collect assessments from handlers to administer the program. The members are familiar with the Committee's needs and with the costs of 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. This proposed rule would decrease the assessment rate from $0.02, the rate that was established for the 2017-18 and subsequent fiscal periods, to $0.01 per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent of oranges and grapefruit handled for the 2018-19 and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee recommended decreasing the assessment rate and utilizing funds from its authorized reserve in order to reduce the reserve balance. The reserve balance has been greater than the sum allowable under the Order, which is approximately equivalent to one year's operating expenses, since 2017. In 2017-18, the Committee was able to reduce its budget by more than $595,000 when an alternative funding source was found for [[Page 42806]] the Mexican fruit fly control program. This dramatic reduction in the overall budget prompted the Committee's need to reduce the balance of the authorized reserve to reflect the lower operating budget. The Committee met on May 23, 2018, and unanimously recommended 2018-19 expenditures of $152,920 and an assessment rate of $0.01 per 7/ 10-bushel carton or equivalent of oranges and grapefruit. The itemized budgeted expenses, including $79,220 for management, $50,000 for compliance, and $23,700 for operating expenses, are the same as the previous fiscal period. However, the proposed assessment rate of $0.01 is lower than the $0.02 rate currently in effect. The assessment rate recommended by the Committee was derived by considering anticipated expenses, expected shipments of 7.5 million 7/ 10-bushel cartons, and the amount of funds available in the authorized reserve. Income derived from handler assessments, calculated at $75,000 (7.5 million x $0.01), along with interest income and funds from the Committee's authorized reserve, would be adequate to cover budgeted expenses of $152,920. Funds in the reserve are estimated to be $287,295 at the end of the 2017-18 fiscal period. No additional funds can be added to the reserve until the balance drops below approximately one fiscal period's expenses as stated in Sec. 906.35. The assessment rate proposed in this rule would continue in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated by USDA upon recommendation and information submitted by the Committee or other available information. Although this assessment rate would be in effect for an indefinite period, the Committee will continue to meet prior to or during each fiscal period to recommend a budget of expenses and consider recommendations for modification of the assessment rate. The dates and times of Committee meetings are available from the Committee or USDA. Committee meetings are open to the public and interested persons may express their views at these meetings. USDA would evaluate Committee recommendations and other available information to determine whether modification of the assessment rate is needed. Further rulemaking will be undertaken as necessary. The Committee's 2018-19 budget and those for subsequent fiscal periods will 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. There are approximately 170 producers of oranges and grapefruit in the production area and 13 handlers subject to regulation under the Order. Small agricultural producers are defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as those having annual receipts less than $750,000, and small agricultural service firms are defined as those whose annual receipts are less than $7,500,000 (13 CFR 121.201). According to Committee data, the average price for Texas citrus during the 2016-17 season was approximately $16 per carton and total shipments were 7.6 million cartons. Using the average price and shipment information, the number of handlers, and assuming a normal distribution, the majority of handlers would have average annual receipts of greater than $7,500,000 ($16 per carton times 7.6 million cartons equals $121.6 million, divided by 13 equals $9.4 million per handler). In addition, based on National Agricultural Statistics Service information, the weighted grower price for Texas citrus during the 2016-17 season was approximately $9.35 per carton. Using the weighted average price and shipment information, the number of producers and assuming a normal distribution, the majority of producers would have annual receipts of $418,000, which is less than $750,000 ($9.35 per carton times 7.6 million cartons equals $71.06 million, divided by 170 equals $418,000 per producer). Thus, the majority of handlers of Texas citrus may be classified as large entities, while the majority of producers may be classified as small entities. This proposal would decrease the assessment rate collected from handlers for the 2018-19 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.02 to $0.01 per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent of Texas citrus. The Committee unanimously recommended 2018-19 expenditures of $152,920 and an assessment rate of $0.01 per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent handled. The proposed assessment rate of $0.01 is $0.01 lower than the 2017-18 rate. The quantity of assessable oranges and grapefruit for the 2018-19 fiscal period is estimated at 7.5 million 7/10-bushel cartons. Thus, the $0.01 rate should provide $75,000 in assessment income (7.5 million x $0.01). Income derived from handler assessments, along with interest income and funds from the Committee's authorized reserve, would be adequate to cover budgeted expenses. The major expenditures recommended by the Committee for the 2018-19 year include $79,220 for management, $50,000 for compliance, and $23,700 for operating expenses. Budgeted expenses for these items in 2017-18 were the same. The Committee recommended decreasing the assessment rate and utilizing funds from its authorized reserve in order to reduce the reserve balance to bring it in line with the limitation under the Order of approximately one year's expenses. Prior to arriving at this budget and assessment rate, the Committee considered information from various sources, such as the Committee's Budget and Personnel Committee, and the Research Committee. Alternative expenditure levels were discussed by these committees who reviewed the relative value of various activities to the Texas citrus industry. These committees determined that all program activities were adequately funded and essential to the functionality of the Order; thus, no alternate expenditure levels were deemed appropriate. Additionally, the Committee discussed alternatives of maintaining the current assessment rate of $0.02 and lowering the assessment rate to $0.015 per 7/10- bushel carton or equivalent. However, these alternatives were not recommended because the Committee determined that these assessment rates would not draw a sufficient amount of funds from the authorized reserve to bring the reserve fund total in line with Order requirements. Based on these discussions and estimated shipments, the recommended assessment rate of $0.01 would provide $75,000 in assessment income. The Committee determined that assessment revenue, along with funds from the reserve and interest income, would be adequate to cover budgeted expenses for the 2018-19 fiscal period. A review of historical information and preliminary information pertaining to the upcoming fiscal period indicates [[Page 42807]] that the average grower price for the 2018-19 season should be approximately $9.50 per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent of oranges and grapefruit. Therefore, the estimated assessment revenue for the 2018-19 crop year as a percentage of total grower revenue would be about 0.1 percent. This proposed rule would decrease the assessment obligation imposed on handlers. Assessments are applied uniformly on all handlers, and some of the costs may be passed on to producers. However, decreasing the assessment rate reduces the burden on handlers and may also reduce the burden on producers. The Committee's meeting was widely publicized throughout the Texas citrus industry. All interested persons were invited to attend the meeting and participate in Committee deliberations on all issues. Like all Committee meetings, the May 23, 2018, 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 information collection 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 the OMB and assigned OMB No. 0581-0189, Fruit Crops. No changes in those requirements would be necessary as a result of this proposed rule. Should any changes become necessary, they would be submitted to OMB for approval. This proposed rule would not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on either small or large Texas orange and grapefruit 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 rule. 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. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 906 Grapefruit, Marketing agreements, Oranges, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 906 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 906--ORANGES AND GRAPEFRUIT GROWN IN LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY IN TEXAS 0 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 906 continues to read as follows: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674. 0 2. Section 906.235 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 906.235 Assessment rate. On and after August 1, 2018, an assessment rate of $0.01 per 7/10- bushel carton or equivalent is established for oranges and grapefruit grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Dated: August 21, 2018. Bruce Summers, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2018-18363 Filed 8-23-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
![42805
Proposed Rules Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 165
Friday, August 24, 2018
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, assessment rate would be applicable to
contains notices to the public of the proposed Southeast Marketing Field Office, all assessable oranges and grapefruit for
issuance of rules and regulations. The Marketing Order and Agreement the 2018–19 crop year and continue
purpose of these notices is to give interested Division, Specialty Crops Program, until amended, suspended, or
persons an opportunity to participate in the AMS, USDA; Telephone: (863) 324– terminated.
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
3375, Fax: (863) 291–8614, or Email: The Act provides that administrative
Doris.Jamieson@ams.usda.gov or proceedings must be exhausted before
Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov. parties may file suit in court. Under
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Small businesses may request section 608c(15)(A) of the Act, any
information on complying with this handler subject to an order may file
Agricultural Marketing Service regulation by contacting Richard Lower, with USDA a petition stating that the
Marketing Order and Agreement order, any provision of the order, or any
7 CFR Part 906 Division, Specialty Crops Program, obligation imposed in connection with
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence the order is not in accordance with law
[Doc. No. AMS–SC–18–0044; SC18–906–1
PR] Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, and request a modification of the order
DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720– or to be exempted therefrom. Such
Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in the 2491, Fax: (202) 720–8938, or Email: handler is afforded the opportunity for
Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas; Richard.Lower@ams.usda.gov. a hearing on the petition. After the
Decreased Assessment Rate SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This hearing, USDA would rule on the
action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, petition. The Act provides that the
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, proposes an amendment to regulations district court of the United States in any
USDA. issued to carry out a marketing order as district in which the handler is an
ACTION: Proposed rule. defined in 7 CFR 900.2(j). This proposed inhabitant, or has his or her principal
rule is issued under Marketing place of business, has jurisdiction to
SUMMARY: This proposed rule would
Agreement and Order No. 906, as review USDA’s ruling on the petition,
implement a recommendation from the
amended (7 CFR part 906), regulating provided an action is filed not later than
Texas Valley Citrus Committee
the handling of oranges and grapefruit 20 days after the date of the entry of the
(Committee) to decrease the assessment
grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley ruling.
rate established for the 2018–19 and
in Texas. Part 906 (referred to as ‘‘the The Order provides authority for the
subsequent fiscal periods. The
Order’’) is effective under the Committee, with the approval of USDA,
assessment rate would remain in effect
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act to formulate an annual budget of
indefinitely unless modified,
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), expenses and collect assessments from
suspended, or terminated.
hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’ The handlers to administer the program. The
DATES: Comments must be received by members are familiar with the
Committee locally administers the
September 24, 2018. Order and is comprised of producers Committee’s needs and with the costs of
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are and handlers of oranges and grapefruit goods and services in their local area
invited to submit written comments operating within the area of production. and are thus in a position to formulate
concerning this proposed rule. The Department of Agriculture an appropriate budget and assessment
Comments must be sent to the Docket (USDA) is issuing this proposed rule in rate. The assessment rate is formulated
Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement conformance with Executive Orders and discussed in a public meeting.
Division, Specialty Crops Program, 13563 and 13175. This proposed rule Thus, all directly affected persons have
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence falls within a category of regulatory an opportunity to participate and
Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, actions that the Office of Management provide input.
DC 20250–0237; Fax: (202) 720–8938; or and Budget (OMB) exempted from This proposed rule would decrease
internet: http://www.regulations.gov. Executive Order 12866 review. the assessment rate from $0.02, the rate
Comments should reference the Additionally, because this proposed that was established for the 2017–18
document number and the date and rule does not meet the definition of a and subsequent fiscal periods, to $0.01
page number of this issue of the Federal significant regulatory action, it does not per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent of
Register and will be available for public trigger the requirements contained in oranges and grapefruit handled for the
inspection in the Office of the Docket Executive Order 13771. See OMB’s 2018–19 and subsequent fiscal periods.
Clerk during regular business hours, or Memorandum titled ‘‘Interim Guidance The Committee recommended
can be viewed at: http:// Implementing Section 2 of the Executive decreasing the assessment rate and
www.regulations.gov. All comments Order of January 30, 2017, titled utilizing funds from its authorized
submitted in response to this rule will ‘Reducing Regulation and Controlling reserve in order to reduce the reserve
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
be included in the record and will be Regulatory Costs’ ’’ (February 2, 2017). balance. The reserve balance has been
made available to the public. Please be This proposed rule has been reviewed greater than the sum allowable under
advised that the identity of the under Executive Order 12988, Civil the Order, which is approximately
individuals or entities submitting the Justice Reform. Under the Order now in equivalent to one year’s operating
comments will be made public on the effect, Texas citrus handlers are subject expenses, since 2017. In 2017–18, the
internet at the address provided above. to assessments. Funds to administer the Committee was able to reduce its budget
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Order are derived from such by more than $595,000 when an
Doris Jamieson, Marketing Specialist, or assessments. It is intended that the alternative funding source was found for
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Proposed Rules 42807
that the average grower price for the guide should be sent to Richard Lower the FCA’s website. As facsimiles (fax)
2018–19 season should be at the previously mentioned address in are difficult for us to process and
approximately $9.50 per 7/10-bushel the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT achieve compliance with section 508 of
carton or equivalent of oranges and section. the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
grapefruit. Therefore, the estimated amended, we do not accept comments
assessment revenue for the 2018–19 List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 906
submitted by fax. Regardless of the
crop year as a percentage of total grower Grapefruit, Marketing agreements, method you use, please do not submit
revenue would be about 0.1 percent. Oranges, Reporting and recordkeeping your comment multiple times via
This proposed rule would decrease requirements. different methods. You may submit
the assessment obligation imposed on For the reasons set forth in the comments by any of the following
handlers. Assessments are applied preamble, 7 CFR part 906 is proposed to methods:
uniformly on all handlers, and some of be amended as follows: • Email: Send us an email at reg-
the costs may be passed on to comm@fca.gov.
producers. However, decreasing the PART 906—ORANGES AND
assessment rate reduces the burden on GRAPEFRUIT GROWN IN LOWER RIO • FCA website: http://www.fca.gov.
handlers and may also reduce the GRANDE VALLEY IN TEXAS Select ‘‘Public Commenters,’’ then
burden on producers. ‘‘Public Comments,’’ and follow the
The Committee’s meeting was widely ■ 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR directions for ‘‘Submitting a Comment.’’
publicized throughout the Texas citrus part 906 continues to read as follows: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
industry. All interested persons were Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674. www.regulations.gov. Follow the
invited to attend the meeting and instructions for submitting comments.
participate in Committee deliberations ■ 2. Section 906.235 is revised to read
as follows: • Mail: Barry F. Mardock, Deputy
on all issues. Like all Committee Director, Office of Regulatory Policy,
meetings, the May 23, 2018, meeting § 906.235 Assessment rate. Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm
was a public meeting, and all entities, Credit Drive, McLean, VA 22102–5090.
both large and small, were able to On and after August 1, 2018, an
express views on this issue. Finally, assessment rate of $0.01 per 7/10-bushel You may review copies of all comments
interested persons are invited to submit carton or equivalent is established for we receive at our office in McLean,
comments on this proposed rule, oranges and grapefruit grown in the Virginia, or from our website at http://
including the regulatory and Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. www.fca.gov. Once you are in the
information collection impacts of this Dated: August 21, 2018. website, select ‘‘Public Commenters,’’
action on small businesses. Bruce Summers, then ‘‘Public Comments,’’ and follow
In accordance with the Paperwork Administrator, Agricultural Marketing the directions for ‘‘Reading Submitted
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Service. Public Comments.’’ We will show your
Chapter 35), the Order’s information [FR Doc. 2018–18363 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] comments as submitted, but for
collection requirements have been BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
technical reasons we may omit items
previously approved by the OMB and such as logos and special characters.
assigned OMB No. 0581–0189, Fruit Identifying information you provide,
Crops. No changes in those such as phone numbers and addresses,
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION will be publicly available. However, we
requirements would be necessary as a
result of this proposed rule. Should any 12 CFR Parts 611 and 619 will attempt to remove email addresses
changes become necessary, they would to help reduce internet spam.
be submitted to OMB for approval. RIN 3052–AC97
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
This proposed rule would not impose
any additional reporting or Organization; Definitions; Eligibility Darius Hale, Senior Policy Analyst,
recordkeeping requirements on either Criteria for Outside Directors Office of Regulatory Policy, (703) 883–
small or large Texas orange and 4165, TTY (703) 883–4056, Haled@
AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration. fca.gov, or
grapefruit handlers. As with all Federal
ACTION: Proposed rule. Nancy Tunis, Senior Counsel, Office
marketing order programs, reports and
forms are periodically reviewed to SUMMARY: The Farm Credit of General Counsel, (703) 883–4061,
reduce information requirements and Administration (FCA, we, or our) is TTY (703) 883–4056, Tunisn@fca.gov.
duplication by industry and public proposing to amend its regulations SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
sector agencies. AMS is committed to affecting the governance of Farm Credit
complying with the E-Government Act, System (System) institutions. The I. Objectives
to promote the use of the internet and proposed rule would modify the The objectives of this proposed rule
other information technologies to existing outside director eligibility are to:
provide increased opportunities for criteria by expanding the list of persons
citizen access to Government • Amend the eligibility criteria for
who would be excluded from
information and services, and for other outside director in § 611.220(a);
nomination for an outside director’s seat
purposes. to ensure the independence of outside • Remove the definition of outside
USDA has not identified any relevant director in § 619.9235;
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
directors.
Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or • Strengthen the safety and
conflict with this proposed rule. DATES: You may send comments on or
soundness of System institutions;
A small business guide on complying before October 23, 2018.
with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop ADDRESSES: We offer a variety of
• Strengthen the independence of
marketing agreements and orders may methods for you to submit your System institution boards; and
be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/ comments. For accuracy and efficiency • Incorporate many of the best
rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses. reasons, commenters are encouraged to corporate governance practices for
Any questions about the compliance submit comments by email or through System institutions.
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Document Created: 2018-08-24 04:13:52
Document Modified: 2018-08-24 04:13:52
| 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 24, 2018. | |
| Contact | Doris Jamieson, Marketing Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863) 291-8614, or Email: [email protected] or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 42805 | |
| CFR Associated | Grapefruit; Marketing Agreements; Oranges and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements |
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