Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Determination of Whether To Conduct a Referendum Regarding the 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Act, 76654-76655 [2015-31133]

Download as PDF 76654 Notices Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 237 Thursday, December 10, 2015 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket No. AMS–CN–15–0061] Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Determination of Whether To Conduct a Referendum Regarding the 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Act Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) determination not to conduct a continuance referendum regarding the 1991 amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Order) provided for in the Cotton Research and Promotion Act (Act) amendments of 1990. This determination is based on the results of a sign-up period conducted August 3 through August 14, 2015, during which eligible cotton producers and importers were provided an opportunity to request a continuance referendum. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406, telephone (540) 361–2726, facsimile (540) 361–1199, or email at Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the period of August 3 through August 14, 2015, pursuant to Section 8(c)(1) of the Act, USDA provided an opportunity for eligible cotton producers and importers to request a continuance referendum regarding the 1991 amendments to the Order provided for in the Act. Sign-up period results showed that USDA received 46 valid requests from eligible producers and importers. The following mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:33 Dec 09, 2015 Jkt 238001 table depicts the number of requests for a continuance referendum. Farm service agency state office Total sign-up requests Alabama .......................... Arizona ............................ Arkansas ......................... California ......................... Florida ............................. Georgia ........................... Illinois .............................. Kansas ............................ Kentucky ......................... Louisiana ........................ Mississippi ...................... Missouri .......................... Nevada ........................... New Mexico .................... North Carolina ................ Oklahoma ....................... South Carolina ................ Tennessee ...................... Texas .............................. Virginia ............................ 0 0 16 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 0 8 7 0 0 9 0 Total ......................... 46 Section 8(c)(2) of the Act, provides that following a sign-up period, USDA shall conduct a referendum upon the request of 10 percent or more of the number of cotton producers and importers voting in the most recent referendum (1991). This would require 10 percent or 4,622 (46,220 × .10 = 4,622) of the 46,220 valid ballots cast by cotton producers and importers in the July 1991 referendum. It is further provided that, in counting such request not more than 20 percent or 924 may be from producers from any one state or importers of cotton. USDA finds that the results of the sign-up period did not meet the criteria requiring a continuance referendum by the Act. USDA bases this determination on the fact that the 46 requests received during the sign-up period is less than the 4,622 required. The 1991 amendments to the Order (7 CFR 1205 et seq.) were implemented following the July 1991 referendum. The 1990 amendments were provided for in the Act (7 U.S.C. 2101–2118). These amendments provided for: (1) Importer representation on the Cotton Board by an appropriate number of persons, to be determined by USDA, who import cotton or cotton products into the U.S. and whom USDA selects from nominations submitted by importer organization certified by USDA; (2) assessments levied on imported cotton PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and cotton products at a rate determined in the same manner as for U.S. cotton; (3) increasing the amount USDA can be reimbursed for the conduct of a referendum from $200,000 to $300,000; (4) reimbursing government agencies that assist in administering the collection of assessments on imported cotton and cotton products; and (5) terminating the right of producers to demand a refund of assessments. On July 9, 1991, (56 FR 31289) AMS issued a proposal to amend the Order to determine if a majority, 50 percent or more, of producers and importers favored implementation of the proposed amendments to the Order. USDA conducted a referendum (July 1991) among persons who had been cotton producers or cotton importers during a representative period. Results of the July 1991 referendum showed that of the 46,220 valid ballots received; 27,879 or 60 percent of the persons voting favored the amendments to the Order and 18,341 or 40 percent opposed the amendments. Following the July 1991 referendum, AMS implemented the amendments. In addition to the previously discussed amendments to the Act and Order, USDA is required by Section 8(c)(1) to: (1) Conduct a review once every 5 years after the anniversary date of the referendum implementing the 1990 Act amendments to determine whether a referendum is necessary and (2) make public the results of such a review within 60 days after each fifth anniversary date of the 1991 implementing referendum. Should the review indicate that a referendum is needed USDA is directed to conduct the referendum within 12 months after a public announcement of review results. Should the review indicate that a referendum is not warranted, Section 8(c)(2) includes provisions for producers and importers to request a continuance referendum through a signup period. In 2011–2012, the Department prepared a 5-year report that described the impact of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program on the cotton industry. The review report is available upon written request to the Chief of the Cotton Research and Promotion Staff at the address provided above. Comments were solicited from all interested parties, including persons who pay the assessments as well as from E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 237 / Thursday, December 10, 2015 / Notices organizations representing cotton producers and importers (76 FR 31573). Five comments, including comments from four certified producer organizations that nominate producers to the Cotton Board, claimed strong support for the continuance of the program, noting that the administration of the Act has been proper, carries out the intent and purpose in a timely and superior manner, and requires no changes or adjustment. USDA reviewed the Cotton Research and Promotion Program major program activities and accomplishments, including third-party evaluations of advertising and marketing activities and other functional areas; the results of producer and importer awareness and satisfaction surveys; and data from the Foreign Agricultural Service. USDA also reviewed the results of the Cotton Board’s 2011 independent program evaluation, which assessed the effectiveness of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program; the strength of cotton’s competitive position; the ability to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets; increases in the number of uses for cotton; and estimates of a return on investment for stakeholders and qualitative benefits and returns associated with the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. The review report concluded that the 1990 amendments to the Act were successfully implemented and are operating as intended. The report also noted that there is a general consensus within the cotton industry that the Cotton Research and Promotion Program and the 1990 amendments to the Act are operating as intended. Written comments, economic data, and results from independent evaluations support this conclusion. USDA found no compelling reason to conduct a referendum regarding the 1990 Act amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order although some program participants support a referendum. In 2013, USDA announced its view not to conduct a referendum regarding the 1991 amendments to the Order (78 FR 32228). Therefore, USDA allowed all eligible persons to request the conduct of a continuance referendum on the 1990 amendments through a sign-up period. The results of this sign-up period did not meet the criteria as established by the Act for a continuance referendum and, therefore, referenda were not conducted. With this announcement of the results of the sign-up period, USDA has completed all requirements set forth in Section 8(c) (1) and (2) of the Act regarding the review of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program to determine if a continuance referendum VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:33 Dec 09, 2015 Jkt 238001 is warranted. A referendum will not be conducted, and no further actions are planned in connection with this review. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101–2118. Dated: December 7, 2015. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2015–31133 Filed 12–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Shoshone Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Shoshone Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet via conference call. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. Additional RAC information, including the meeting agenda and the meeting summary/minutes can be found at the following Web site: https:// cloudapps-usda-gov.force.com/FSSRS/ RAC_Page?id=001t0000002JcvXAAS. DATES: The meeting will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. All RAC meetings are subject to cancellation. For status of meeting prior to attendance, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held via conference call. Members of the public wishing to call in should contact Shoshone RAC Coordinator, Olga Troxel, for call-in information. Written comments may be submitted as described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at Shoshone National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 808 Meadow Lane, Cody, Wyoming. Please call ahead (307–527–6241) to facilitate entry into the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Olga Troxel by phone at 307–578–5164 or via email at otroxel@fs.fed.us. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76655 Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the meeting is: 1. To update the Shoshone Resource Advisory Committee on the status of existing Title II projects, and 2. Strategize on advertising for project proposals for the current year The meeting is open to the public. The agenda will include time for people to make oral statements of three minutes or less. Individuals wishing to make an oral statement should request in writing by December 30, 2015 to be scheduled on the agenda. Anyone who would like to bring related matters to the attention of the committee may file written statements with the committee staff before or after the meeting. Written comments and requests for time for oral comments must be sent to Olga Troxel, RAC Coordinator, 808 Meadow Lane, Cody, WY; or by email to otroxel@ fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 307–578– 5112. Meeting Accommodations: If you are a person requiring reasonable accommodation, please make requests in advance for sign language interpreting, assistive listening devices or other reasonable accommodation for access to the facility or proceedings by contacting the person listed in the section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed on a case by case basis. Dated: December 3, 2015. Joe G. Alexander, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2015–30975 Filed 12–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Indiana Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights To Hear Testimony Regarding Civil Rights Concerns Relating to School Disciplinary Policies and Their Potential Impact on Disparities in Juvenile Incarceration in Indiana U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76654-76655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31133]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 237 / Thursday, December 10, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 76654]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-CN-15-0061]


Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Determination of Whether 
To Conduct a Referendum Regarding the 1990 Amendments to the Cotton 
Research and Promotion Act

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
(USDA) determination not to conduct a continuance referendum regarding 
the 1991 amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Order) 
provided for in the Cotton Research and Promotion Act (Act) amendments 
of 1990. This determination is based on the results of a sign-up period 
conducted August 3 through August 14, 2015, during which eligible 
cotton producers and importers were provided an opportunity to request 
a continuance referendum.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and 
Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Program, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, 
Virginia 22406, telephone (540) 361-2726, facsimile (540) 361-1199, or 
email at Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the period of August 3 through August 
14, 2015, pursuant to Section 8(c)(1) of the Act, USDA provided an 
opportunity for eligible cotton producers and importers to request a 
continuance referendum regarding the 1991 amendments to the Order 
provided for in the Act. Sign-up period results showed that USDA 
received 46 valid requests from eligible producers and importers. The 
following table depicts the number of requests for a continuance 
referendum.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Total sign-up
           Farm service agency state office                 requests
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama..............................................                  0
Arizona..............................................                  0
Arkansas.............................................                 16
California...........................................                  0
Florida..............................................                  1
Georgia..............................................                  0
Illinois.............................................                  0
Kansas...............................................                  3
Kentucky.............................................                  0
Louisiana............................................                  0
Mississippi..........................................                  1
Missouri.............................................                  1
Nevada...............................................                  0
New Mexico...........................................                  0
North Carolina.......................................                  8
Oklahoma.............................................                  7
South Carolina.......................................                  0
Tennessee............................................                  0
Texas................................................                  9
Virginia.............................................                  0
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................                 46
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 8(c)(2) of the Act, provides that following a sign-up 
period, USDA shall conduct a referendum upon the request of 10 percent 
or more of the number of cotton producers and importers voting in the 
most recent referendum (1991). This would require 10 percent or 4,622 
(46,220 x .10 = 4,622) of the 46,220 valid ballots cast by cotton 
producers and importers in the July 1991 referendum. It is further 
provided that, in counting such request not more than 20 percent or 924 
may be from producers from any one state or importers of cotton.
    USDA finds that the results of the sign-up period did not meet the 
criteria requiring a continuance referendum by the Act. USDA bases this 
determination on the fact that the 46 requests received during the 
sign-up period is less than the 4,622 required.
    The 1991 amendments to the Order (7 CFR 1205 et seq.) were 
implemented following the July 1991 referendum. The 1990 amendments 
were provided for in the Act (7 U.S.C. 2101-2118). These amendments 
provided for: (1) Importer representation on the Cotton Board by an 
appropriate number of persons, to be determined by USDA, who import 
cotton or cotton products into the U.S. and whom USDA selects from 
nominations submitted by importer organization certified by USDA; (2) 
assessments levied on imported cotton and cotton products at a rate 
determined in the same manner as for U.S. cotton; (3) increasing the 
amount USDA can be reimbursed for the conduct of a referendum from 
$200,000 to $300,000; (4) reimbursing government agencies that assist 
in administering the collection of assessments on imported cotton and 
cotton products; and (5) terminating the right of producers to demand a 
refund of assessments.
    On July 9, 1991, (56 FR 31289) AMS issued a proposal to amend the 
Order to determine if a majority, 50 percent or more, of producers and 
importers favored implementation of the proposed amendments to the 
Order. USDA conducted a referendum (July 1991) among persons who had 
been cotton producers or cotton importers during a representative 
period. Results of the July 1991 referendum showed that of the 46,220 
valid ballots received; 27,879 or 60 percent of the persons voting 
favored the amendments to the Order and 18,341 or 40 percent opposed 
the amendments.
    Following the July 1991 referendum, AMS implemented the amendments. 
In addition to the previously discussed amendments to the Act and 
Order, USDA is required by Section 8(c)(1) to: (1) Conduct a review 
once every 5 years after the anniversary date of the referendum 
implementing the 1990 Act amendments to determine whether a referendum 
is necessary and (2) make public the results of such a review within 60 
days after each fifth anniversary date of the 1991 implementing 
referendum. Should the review indicate that a referendum is needed USDA 
is directed to conduct the referendum within 12 months after a public 
announcement of review results. Should the review indicate that a 
referendum is not warranted, Section 8(c)(2) includes provisions for 
producers and importers to request a continuance referendum through a 
sign-up period.
    In 2011-2012, the Department prepared a 5-year report that 
described the impact of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program on 
the cotton industry. The review report is available upon written 
request to the Chief of the Cotton Research and Promotion Staff at the 
address provided above. Comments were solicited from all interested 
parties, including persons who pay the assessments as well as from

[[Page 76655]]

organizations representing cotton producers and importers (76 FR 
31573). Five comments, including comments from four certified producer 
organizations that nominate producers to the Cotton Board, claimed 
strong support for the continuance of the program, noting that the 
administration of the Act has been proper, carries out the intent and 
purpose in a timely and superior manner, and requires no changes or 
adjustment.
    USDA reviewed the Cotton Research and Promotion Program major 
program activities and accomplishments, including third-party 
evaluations of advertising and marketing activities and other 
functional areas; the results of producer and importer awareness and 
satisfaction surveys; and data from the Foreign Agricultural Service. 
USDA also reviewed the results of the Cotton Board's 2011 independent 
program evaluation, which assessed the effectiveness of the Cotton 
Research and Promotion Program; the strength of cotton's competitive 
position; the ability to maintain and expand domestic and foreign 
markets; increases in the number of uses for cotton; and estimates of a 
return on investment for stakeholders and qualitative benefits and 
returns associated with the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. The 
review report concluded that the 1990 amendments to the Act were 
successfully implemented and are operating as intended. The report also 
noted that there is a general consensus within the cotton industry that 
the Cotton Research and Promotion Program and the 1990 amendments to 
the Act are operating as intended. Written comments, economic data, and 
results from independent evaluations support this conclusion.
    USDA found no compelling reason to conduct a referendum regarding 
the 1990 Act amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order 
although some program participants support a referendum. In 2013, USDA 
announced its view not to conduct a referendum regarding the 1991 
amendments to the Order (78 FR 32228). Therefore, USDA allowed all 
eligible persons to request the conduct of a continuance referendum on 
the 1990 amendments through a sign-up period. The results of this sign-
up period did not meet the criteria as established by the Act for a 
continuance referendum and, therefore, referenda were not conducted.
    With this announcement of the results of the sign-up period, USDA 
has completed all requirements set forth in Section 8(c) (1) and (2) of 
the Act regarding the review of the Cotton Research and Promotion 
Program to determine if a continuance referendum is warranted. A 
referendum will not be conducted, and no further actions are planned in 
connection with this review.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101-2118.

    Dated: December 7, 2015.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-31133 Filed 12-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.