83 FR 46136 - Notice of Request for Approval of New Information Collection for Almonds Grown in California (Marketing Order No. 981)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 177 (September 12, 2018)

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval for ballots and a petition form used to collect nominations of members and alternates to serve on the Board. Once approved, the forms would be merged with other forms the Board and AMS uses to collect information under Federal Marketing Order No. 981, Almonds Grown in California.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46136-46137]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19827]


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 177 / Wednesday, September 12, 2018 / 
Notices

[[Page 46136]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS SC-18-0056; SC18-981-4]


Notice of Request for Approval of New Information Collection for 
Almonds Grown in California (Marketing Order No. 981)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention 
to request approval for ballots and a petition form used to collect 
nominations of members and alternates to serve on the Board. Once 
approved, the forms would be merged with other forms the Board and AMS 
uses to collect information under Federal Marketing Order No. 981, 
Almonds Grown in California.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 13, 2018.
    Additional Information: Contact Andrew Hatch, Supervisory Marketing 
Specialist, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops 
Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, 
DC 20250-0237; (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: 
[email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on this notice 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].
    Comments: Comments are welcome and should reference OMB No. 0581-
NEW and the Marketing Order for Almonds Grown in California, Marketing 
Order No. 981, and the date and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. Comments may be submitted by mail to the Docket 
Clerk, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Stop 0237, Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; 
or submitted online at http://www.regulations.gov. All comments 
received will be available for public inspection in the Office of the 
Docket Clerk during regular USDA business hours or they can be viewed 
at www.regulations.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Almonds Grown in California, Marketing Order No. 981.
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: This is a NEW collection.
    Type of Request: Approval of New Information Collection.
    Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 
(AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), fresh fruits, vegetables and 
specialty crop industries can create marketing order programs that 
provide an opportunity for producers, in a specified production area, 
to work together to solve marketing problems. The Secretary of 
Agriculture is authorized to oversee the marketing order operations and 
to consider the issuance of regulations recommended by a committee of 
representatives from each commodity industry.
    The Almond Marketing Order, as amended, (7 CFR part 981), 
hereinafter referred to as the ``Order'' regulates the handling of 
almonds grown in California. The Order authorizes research and 
promotion activities, as well as quality regulations, and provides for 
the establishment of the Almond Board of California (Board).
    The Board locally administers the Order with USDA oversight. Board 
members and alternates are appointed by USDA from nominations submitted 
by industry members to the Board. The Board conducts the nomination 
process with a petition form completed by individual growers and 
handlers to nominate themselves or others. Industry members then 
complete ballots to vote on those individuals whose names would be 
submitted to USDA for consideration for appointment to the Board. Only 
authorized employees of the Board, and authorized representatives of 
the USDA, including AMS, Specialty Crops Program's regional and 
headquarters staff have access to information provided on the forms.
    Requesting public comments on the ballots and petition form 
described below is part of the process to obtain approval of the forms 
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These forms have been 
designated OMB No. 0581-NEW. The forms include Independent Grower 
Ballot (ABC-15), Independent Handler Ballot (ABC-16), Cooperative 
Grower Ballot (ABC-17), Cooperative Handler Ballot (ABC-18), and Grower 
Petition (ABC-19). Once approved by OMB, USDA will request permission 
to merge the ballots and petition form into OMB No. 0581-0178 Vegetable 
and Specialty Crops collection that includes other forms related to the 
Order.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 5.03 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Almond producers and handlers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 677.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 677.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 56.83 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of the information is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.


[[Page 46137]]


    Dated: September 7, 2018.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19827 Filed 9-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P