Changes to Fees and Payment Methods, 53021-53022 [2015-20844]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 170 / Wednesday, September 2, 2015 / Proposed Rules those investigations when not previously known. (c) From subsection (g)(1) (Civil Remedies) to the extent that the system is exempt from other specific subsections of the Privacy Act. Dated: August 19, 2015. Karen L. Neuman, Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 2015–21674 Filed 9–1–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–14–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 51 [Doc. Number AMS–FV–14–0090, FV–15– 327] U.S. Standards for Grades of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Fruits and Vegetables for Processing, Nuts, and Specialty Crops Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes revising 46 U.S. Standards for Grades of fresh fruits and vegetables, fruits and vegetables for processing, nuts, and specialty crops by removing the ‘‘Unclassified’’ category from each standard. This would bring these grade standards in line with other recently amended standards and current terminology. This revision would update the standards to more accurately represent today’s marketing practices and provide the industry with greater flexibility. SUMMARY: Comments must be received by November 2, 2015. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to the Standardization Branch, Specialty Crops Inspection Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Training and Development Center, Riverside Business Park, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 22406; Fax: (540) 361–1199, or on the web at: www.regulations.gov. The current U.S. Grade Standards for the 46 affected commodities are available on the AMS Web site at www.ams.usda.gov/ scistandardization. Comments should reference the dates and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments will be made available for public inspection in the above office asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:00 Sep 01, 2015 Jkt 235001 during regular business hours and can also be viewed, as submitted, with any personal information provided, on the www.regulations.gov Web site. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Olivia Vernon, Standardization Branch, Specialty Crops Inspection Division, at the address above or by telephone at (540) 361–2743; fax (540) 361–1199; or, email olivia.vernon@ams.usda.gov. The current U.S. Standards for Grades are available on the AMS Web site at www.ams.usda.gov/scistandardization. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), as amended, directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture ‘‘to develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade and packaging, and recommend and demonstrate such standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices.’’ AMS is committed to carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural commodities and makes copies of official grade standards available upon request. The U.S. Standards for Grades of Fruits and Vegetables not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or U.S. import requirements no longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, but are maintained by USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Program, and are available on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/ scihome. AMS is revising these voluntary U.S. standards for grades using the procedures in Part 36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). Background AMS proposes to eliminate the ‘‘Unclassified’’ section in 46 U.S. grade standards that were issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards covered by these proposed changes are: Sweet anise, lima beans, beets, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, endive, garlic, collard greens or broccoli greens, mustard greens and turnip greens, honey dew and honey ball type melons, horseradish roots, greenhouse leaf lettuce, mushrooms, common green onions, onion sets, parsnips, fresh peas, southern peas, rhubarb, romaine, bunched shallots, spinach plants, summer squash, turnips or rutabagas, dewberries and blackberries, American grapes, juice grapes, Persian limes, summer and fall pears, winter pears, and raspberries. The fresh fruit and vegetable for processing grade standards covered by PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 53021 these proposed changes are spinach, berries, blueberries, red sour cherries for manufacture, sweet cherries for canning or freezing, cranberries for processing, currants, raspberries, growers’ stock strawberries for manufacture, and washed and sorted strawberries for freezing. The nut and specialty crops grade standards covered by these proposed changes are: Brazil nuts in the shell, cut peonies in the bud, and tomato plants. AMS continually reviews all fruit, vegetable, nut and specialty crop grade standards to ensure their usefulness to the industry. AMS has identified that the ‘‘Unclassified’’ section needs to be eliminated from the 46 aforementioned U.S. Standards for Grade. The ‘‘Unclassified’’ category is not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the lot. It is no longer considered necessary. This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested parties to comment on the proposed revisions in the standards. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: August 28, 2015. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2015–21836 Filed 9–1–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Research Service 7 CFR Part 504 RIN 0518–AA05 Changes to Fees and Payment Methods Agricultural Research Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: This document proposes an increase in the fees the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Patent Culture Collection charges, and a revision of the method of payment. DATES: Submits comments on or before November 2, 2015. ADDRESSES: See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Kurtz, ARS—Budget and Program Management Staff, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 4–1106, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, telephone: (301) 504–4494, email: jeff.kurtz@ ars.usda.gov. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02SEP1.SGM 02SEP1 53022 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 170 / Wednesday, September 2, 2015 / Proposed Rules Microbialbased agriculture and biotechnology rely on superior production strains, new strains with novel characteristics, and reference strains for comparative purposes. Such strains are often difficult to acquire or are cost prohibitive for many researchers. ARS has a staff dedicated to the acquisition and distribution of microbial germplasm in which patented strains can be deposited in and distributed from its Patent Culture Collection for a one-time fee to cover maintenance and distribution costs. ARS’ Patent Culture Collection receives about 120 patent deposits per year, and distributes about 450 cultures per year. Nearly all of the accessions and distributions are requested by companies, universities, or Government agencies. Currently, ARS charges $500 for each microbial culture deposit, as set forth in 7 CFR 504.2(a). For each microbial culture distribution ARS charges $20, as set forth in 7 CFR 504.2(b). The current fees, which were established in 1985, do not reflect the actual costs of providing materials and services as set forth in the regulation. ARS proposes to increase these fees to reflect their actual costs of $670 and $40, respectively, and to apply the distribution fee to all patent deposits regardless of the date of the deposit. This will not include back billing for deposits. ARS also requests to add pay.gov as a method of paying deposit and distributions fees. Currently, payment to the Department of Agriculture can only be made by check, draft, or money order (7 CFR 504.3(b)). The proposed increased fees will enable ARS’ Patent Culture Collection to continue its mission of supporting microbiological research and biotechnological innovation, and serve as a repository where patented microbial strains can be deposited and distributed to the scientific community. The proposed new fee structure and method of receiving payments will require 7 CFR 504.2(a) and (b) and 504.3(b) to be amended. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: August 11, 2015. Simon Y. Liu, Associate Administrator, ARS. [FR Doc. 2015–20844 Filed 9–1–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–03–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:00 Sep 01, 2015 Jkt 235001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 989 [Doc. No. AMS–FV–15–0032; FV15–989–2 PR] Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Raisin Administrative Committee (committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2015–16 and subsequent crop years from $14.00 to $17.00 per ton of California raisins handled under the marketing order (order). The committee locally administers the order and is comprised of producers and handlers of raisins operating within the area of production. Assessments upon raisin handlers are used by the committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The crop year begins August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. DATES: Comments must be received by October 2, 2015. 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, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Fax: (202) 720–8938, or Internet: https://www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference the docket 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: https://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: Maria Stobbe, Marketing Specialist, or Martin Engeler, Regional Director, California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (559) 487– 5901, Fax: (559) 487–5906; or Email: Maria.Stobbe@ams.usda.gov or Martin.Engeler@ams.usda.gov. Small businesses may request information on complying with this regulation by contacting Jeffrey Smutny, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720– 2491, Fax: (202) 720–8938, or Email: Jeffrey.Smutny@ams.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposed rule is issued under Marketing Agreement and Order No. 989, both as amended (7 CFR part 989), regulating the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California, 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. This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. Under the marketing order now in effect, California raisin handlers are subject to assessments. Funds to administer the order are derived from assessments. It is intended that the assessment rate as proposed herein would be applicable to all assessable raisins beginning on August 1, 2015, 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 established by the committee for the 2015–16 and E:\FR\FM\02SEP1.SGM 02SEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 2, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53021-53022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20844]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service

7 CFR Part 504

RIN 0518-AA05


Changes to Fees and Payment Methods

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes an increase in the fees the 
Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Patent Culture Collection 
charges, and a revision of the method of payment.

DATES: Submits comments on or before November 2, 2015.

ADDRESSES: See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Kurtz, ARS--Budget and Program 
Management Staff, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside 
Avenue, Room 4-1106, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, telephone: (301) 504-
4494, email: jeff.kurtz@ars.usda.gov.

[[Page 53022]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Microbial-based agriculture and 
biotechnology rely on superior production strains, new strains with 
novel characteristics, and reference strains for comparative purposes. 
Such strains are often difficult to acquire or are cost prohibitive for 
many researchers. ARS has a staff dedicated to the acquisition and 
distribution of microbial germplasm in which patented strains can be 
deposited in and distributed from its Patent Culture Collection for a 
one-time fee to cover maintenance and distribution costs.
    ARS' Patent Culture Collection receives about 120 patent deposits 
per year, and distributes about 450 cultures per year. Nearly all of 
the accessions and distributions are requested by companies, 
universities, or Government agencies. Currently, ARS charges $500 for 
each microbial culture deposit, as set forth in 7 CFR 504.2(a). For 
each microbial culture distribution ARS charges $20, as set forth in 7 
CFR 504.2(b). The current fees, which were established in 1985, do not 
reflect the actual costs of providing materials and services as set 
forth in the regulation. ARS proposes to increase these fees to reflect 
their actual costs of $670 and $40, respectively, and to apply the 
distribution fee to all patent deposits regardless of the date of the 
deposit. This will not include back billing for deposits.
    ARS also requests to add pay.gov as a method of paying deposit and 
distributions fees. Currently, payment to the Department of Agriculture 
can only be made by check, draft, or money order (7 CFR 504.3(b)).
    The proposed increased fees will enable ARS' Patent Culture 
Collection to continue its mission of supporting microbiological 
research and biotechnological innovation, and serve as a repository 
where patented microbial strains can be deposited and distributed to 
the scientific community.
    The proposed new fee structure and method of receiving payments 
will require 7 CFR 504.2(a) and (b) and 504.3(b) to be amended.

    Dated: August 11, 2015.
Simon Y. Liu,
Associate Administrator, ARS.
[FR Doc. 2015-20844 Filed 9-1-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P

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