Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Amendment to the Marketing Order, 69888-69891 [2023-22335]
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69888
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 88, No. 194
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
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.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 927
[Doc. No. AMS–SC–22–0079]
Pears Grown in Oregon and
Washington; Amendment to the
Marketing Order
Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
This document invites
comments on a proposed amendment to
Marketing Order No. 927, which
regulates the handling of pears grown in
Oregon and Washington. The proposed
amendment would revise the Fresh Pear
Committee’s approval requirement for
recommending modifications to the
marketing order’s fresh pear handling
regulations from 80 to 75 percent.
DATES: Comments must be received by
December 11, 2023 to be assured
consideration.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit written comments
concerning this proposed rule.
Comments can be sent to the Docket
Clerk, Market Development Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP
0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237.
Comments can also be submitted to the
Docket Clerk electronically by Email at:
MarketingOrderComment@usda.gov, or
via the internet at: https://
www.regulations.gov. Comments should
reference the document number and the
date and page number of this issue of
the Federal Register. All comments will
be made 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 on the internet at the address
provided above. Please be advised that
the identity of the individuals or entities
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SUMMARY:
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submitting comments will be made
public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Geronimo Quinones, Marketing
Specialist, or Matthew Pavone, Chief,
Rulemaking Services Branch, Market
Development Division, Specialty Crops
Program, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237,
Washington, DC 20250–0237;
Telephone: (202) 720–8085, or Email:
MarketingOrderComment@usda.gov.
Small businesses may request
information on complying with this
regulation by contacting Richard Lower,
Market Development Division, Specialty
Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237,
Washington, DC 20250–0237;
Telephone: (202) 720–8085, or Email:
Richard.Lower@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553,
proposes to amend regulations issued to
carry out a marketing order as defined
in 7 CFR 900.2(j). This proposal is
issued under Marketing Order No. 927,
as amended (7 CFR part 927), regulating
the handling of pears grown in Oregon
and Washington. Part 927 (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
Fresh Pear Committee (‘‘Committee’’)
administers the Order’s provisions
relating to the handling of pears for the
fresh market. The Committee comprises
growers and handlers of pears operating
within Oregon and Washington, and a
public member.
Section 608c(17) of the Act (7 U.S.C.
608c(17)) and the applicable rules of
practice and procedure at 7 CFR 900.43
authorize amendment of the Order
through this informal rulemaking
action. The Agricultural Marketing
Service (‘‘AMS’’) will consider
comments received in response to this
proposed rule and, based on all the
information available, will determine if
the amendment is warranted. If AMS
determines amendment of the Order is
warranted, a subsequent proposed rule
and notice of referendum would be
issued, and growers would be allowed
to vote for or against the proposed
amendment. AMS would then issue a
final rule effectuating any amendments
favored in the referendum.
AMS is issuing this proposed rule in
conformance with Executive Orders
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12866, 13563, and 14094. Executive
Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies
to assess all costs and benefits of
available regulatory alternatives and, if
regulation is necessary, to select
regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits (including potential
economic, environmental, public health
and safety effects, distributive impacts,
and equity). Executive Order 13563
emphasizes the importance of
quantifying both costs and benefits,
reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and
promoting flexibility. Executive Order
14094 reaffirms, supplements, and
updates Executive Order 12866 and
further directs agencies to solicit and
consider input from a wide range of
affected and interested parties through a
variety of means. This proposed rule is
not a significant regulatory action
within the meaning of Executive Order
12866. Accordingly, this action has not
been reviewed by the Office of
Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’)
under section 6 of the Executive Order.
This proposed rule has been reviewed
under Executive Order 13175,
Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribal Governments, which
requires agencies to consider whether
their rulemaking actions would have
Tribal implications. AMS has
determined this proposed rule is
unlikely to have substantial direct
effects on one or more Indian Tribes, on
the relationship between the Federal
Government and Indian Tribes, or on
the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian Tribes.
This proposal has been reviewed
under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. This proposed rule is
not intended to have retroactive effect.
The Act provides that administrative
proceedings must be exhausted before
parties may file suit in court. Under
section 608c(15)(A) of the Act (7 U.S.C.
608c(15)(A)), any handler subject to a
marketing 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
requesting a modification of the order or
to be exempted therefrom. The handler
is afforded the opportunity for a hearing
on the petition. After the hearing, USDA
would rule on the petition. The handler
may then seek judicial review of the
ruling by filing suit in the U.S. district
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court for the district in which the
handler is an inhabitant or has his or
her principal place of business,
provided the action is filed no later than
20 days after the date of entry of the
ruling.
Section 608c(17) of the Act (7 U.S.C.
608c(17)) and the supplemental rules of
practice at 7 CFR 900.43 authorize the
use of informal rulemaking (5 U.S.C.
553) to amend Federal fruit, vegetable,
and nut marketing agreements and
orders. In determining whether informal
rulemaking is appropriate, USDA is
required to consider the nature and
complexity of the proposed
amendments, the potential regulatory
and economic impacts on affected
entities, and any other relevant matters.
AMS has considered these factors and
has determined that the amendment
proposed herein is not unduly complex
and the nature of the proposed
amendment is appropriate for utilizing
the informal rulemaking process to
amend the Order. This proposed rule
would revise the approval requirement
for recommending modifications to the
Order’s fresh pear handling regulations.
In addition, as discussed in the Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis section
below, the proposed rule is not
anticipated to have any significant
economic impact on affected entities.
Further, the proposed amendment
would not impose any new reporting,
record-keeping, or compliance costs on
businesses.
The Committee recommended the
proposed amendment to the Order
following deliberations at a public
meeting held on June 2, 2022. The
Committee recommended this change
by vote of nine in favor and two
opposed, with one abstention. The two
opposing voters did not feel the
proposed change was necessary, and the
abstention voter wanted an even lower
requirement. The Committee submitted
its formal recommendation to amend
the Order through the informal
rulemaking process on August 23, 2022,
and subsequently provided AMS
clarification about the recommendation
on December 1, 2022.
handling of specific pear varieties. The
Committee recommended modifying the
current 80-percent voting requirement
to 75 percent to align these voting
requirements, mitigate confusion, and
simplify the Order.
In 2020, the Committee recommended
a regulation change to the Anjou pear
variety in three separate motions, each
receiving a separate vote. A
subcommittee was formed to investigate
how the proposed modification to the
voting requirement might have affected
the 2020 voting outcomes. The
subcommittee analyzed the three
motions by comparing each voting
outcome at 75- and 80-percent vote
requirement levels. Of the three, two
motions did not have enough
Committee support at either voting level
and received only 52 percent and 66
percent of the vote. The third motion for
the regulation change received 86
percent affirmative support by vote.
Therefore, the subcommittee concluded
that changing the requirement to 75
percent would not have altered the
outcome of those votes.
While most of the Committee believes
the current 80-percent voter affirmation
requirement is too high, two members
believe the change to 75 percent is not
necessary, and one member believes the
change is not impactful enough.
The Committee considered
alternatives, including a 70-percent
requirement. However, after running
simulations with historical data to
assess the impact of a 70- or 75-percent
requirement, the Committee determined
75 percent to be optimal in that it did
not materially affect vote outcomes for
recommendations. Additionally, the
adjustment from an 80- to 75-percent
voting requirement establishes
regulatory consistency with other
Committee recommendations that have
a 75-percent voting requirement. As
such, the Committee believes this
proposal would provide more
continuity to all Committee voting
procedures without materially changing
voting outcomes, thereby mitigating
confusion and improving the efficiency
of its operations.
Proposal—Prerequisites to
Recommendations
Currently, sections 927.33(a) and
927.52(a) of the Order provide that all
decisions of the Committee require a
supporting vote of 75 percent or greater;
except that a decision to recommend
changes to the regulations concerning
the shipment of fresh pears requires a
supporting vote of 80 percent or greater.
The voting requirements in section
927.52 of the Order utilize a weighted
calculation of votes based on the
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5
U.S.C. 601–612), 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 to ensure that small businesses
will not be unduly or disproportionately
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69889
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 708 growers
of fresh pears in the production area and
27 handlers subject to regulation under
the Order. At the time this analysis was
prepared, small agricultural producers
of pears were defined by the Small
Business Administration (‘‘SBA’’) as
those having annual receipts equal to or
less than $3,500,000 (North American
Industry Classification System code
111339, Other Noncitrus Fruit Farming),
and small agricultural service firms
were defined as those whose annual
receipts are equal to or less than
$34,000,000 (North American Industry
Classification System Code 115114,
Postharvest Crop Activities) (13 CFR
121.201).
According to the National
Agricultural Statistics Service, the 2020
average grower price received for fresh
pears produced in Oregon and
Washington was $11.39 per standard 44pound box or equivalent. Committee
data indicates total production was
16,290,225 44-pound standard boxes or
equivalent in the 2019–20 fiscal period.
The total 2019–20 fiscal period value of
assessable fresh ‘‘summer/fall’’ and
‘‘winter’’ pears grown in Oregon and
Washington was $185,545,663
(16,290,225 44-pound standard boxes or
equivalent multiplied by $11.39 per box
equals $185,545,663). Dividing the crop
value by the estimated number of
growers (708), yields an estimated
average receipt per grower of $262,070.
According to USDA Market News
data, the reported average terminal price
for 2020 Oregon and Washington fresh
pears was $34.87 per 44-pound standard
box or equivalent (data reported in 4⁄5
bushel). Multiplying the Committeereported 2019–20 Oregon and
Washington total production of
16,290,225 44-pound standard boxes or
equivalent by the estimated average
price per box or equivalent of $34.87
equals $568,040,146. Dividing this
figure by 27 regulated handlers yields
estimated average annual handler
receipts of $21,038,524. Therefore, using
the above data, the majority of growers
and handlers of Oregon and Washington
fresh pears may be classified as small
entities.
This proposed rule would revise a
provision in the Order’s subpart
regulating handling of pears grown in
Oregon and Washington. This proposal
would align the approval requirement
for recommending modifications to the
Order’s fresh pear handling regulations,
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Proposed Rules
which is 80 percent, with all other
Committee voting requirements within
the Order. Currently, all other
Committee recommendations require 75
percent concurrence. The different
voting requirements sometimes result in
confusion for some Committee
members, which can disrupt Committee
operations.
The proposed amendment has no
anticipated impact on the reporting,
record-keeping, or compliance costs of
small businesses.
The proposed amendment would not
directly increase or decrease costs to
members of the pear industry.
Alternatives to the proposed
amendment were considered, including
making no changes at this time.
However, the Committee believes it is
necessary to bring all voting
requirements in-line for clarity and
understanding to ensure the efficient
execution of the Order.
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Paperwork Reduction Act
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. 0581–0189, Fruit
Crops. No changes in those
requirements would be necessary
because of this proposed rule. 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
pear handlers. As with all Federal
marketing order programs, reports and
forms are periodically reviewed to
reduce information requirements and
duplication by industry and publicsector 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.
The Committee’s meetings are widely
publicized throughout the pear
production area. All interested persons
are invited to attend the meetings and
encouraged to participate in Committee
deliberations on all issues. Like all
Committee meetings, the meeting held
on June 2, 2022, was open to the public,
and all entities, both large and small,
were encouraged to express their views
on the proposed amendment.
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Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on the proposed
amendment to the Order, including
comments on the regulatory and
information collection impacts of the
proposed rule on small businesses.
Following analysis of any comments
received on the amendment in this
proposed rule, AMS will evaluate all
available information and determine
whether to proceed. If appropriate, a
proposed rule and notice of referendum
would be issued, and growers would be
provided the opportunity to vote for or
against the proposed amendment.
Information about the referendum,
including dates and voter eligibility
requirements, would be published in a
future issue of the Federal Register. A
final rule would then be issued to
effectuate any amendment favored in
the referendum.
A small business guide on complying
with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop
marketing agreements and orders may
be viewed at: https://
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.
General Findings
The findings hereinafter set forth are
supplementary to the findings and
determinations which were previously
made in connection with the issuance of
Marketing Order 927; and all said
previous findings and determinations
are hereby ratified and affirmed, except
insofar as such findings and
determinations may be in conflict with
the findings and determinations set
forth herein.
1. Marketing Order 927 as hereby
proposed to be amended and all the
terms and conditions thereof, would
tend to effectuate the declared policy of
the Act;
2. Marketing Order 927 as hereby
proposed to be amended regulates the
handling of pears grown in Oregon and
Washington and is applicable only to
persons in the respective classes of
commercial and industrial activity
specified in the Order;
3. Marketing Order 927 as hereby
proposed to be amended is limited in
application to the smallest regional
production area which is practicable,
consistent with carrying out the
declared policy of the Act, and the
issuance of several marketing orders
applicable to subdivisions of the
production area would not effectively
carry out the declared policy of the Act;
4. Marketing Order 927 as hereby
proposed to be amended prescribes,
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insofar as practicable, such different
terms applicable to different parts of the
production area as are necessary to give
due recognition to the differences in the
production and marketing of pears
produced or packed in the production
area; and
5. All handling of pears grown or
handled in the production area, as
defined in Marketing Order 927, is in
the current of interstate or foreign
commerce or directly burdens,
obstructs, or affects such commerce.
A 60-day comment period is provided
to allow interested persons to respond
to this proposal. Any comments
received on the amendment proposed in
this rule will be analyzed and, if AMS
determines to proceed based on all the
information presented, a producer
referendum would be conducted to
determine industry support for the
proposed amendment. If appropriate, a
final rule would then be issued to
effectuate the amendments favored by
producers participating in the
referendum.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 927
Marketing agreements, Pears,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, the Agricultural Marketing
Service proposes to amend 7 CFR part
927 as follows:
PART 927—PEARS GROWN IN
OREGON AND WASHINGTON
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR
part 927 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
2. Amend § 927.52 by revising
paragraph (a) to read as follows:
■
§ 927.52 Prerequisites to
recommendations.
(a) Decisions of the Fresh Pear
Committee or the Processed Pear
Committee with respect to any
recommendations to the Secretary
pursuant to the establishment or
modification of a supplemental rate of
assessment for an individual variety or
subvariety of pears shall be made by
affirmative vote of not less than 75
percent of the applicable total number
of votes, computed in the manner
described in paragraph (b) of this
section, of all members. Decisions of the
Fresh Pear Committee pursuant to the
provisions of § 927.50 shall be made by
an affirmative vote of not less than 75
percent of the applicable total number
of votes, computed in the manner
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Proposed Rules
prescribed in paragraph (b) of this
section, of all members.
*
*
*
*
*
Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–22335 Filed 10–6–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–1990; Project
Identifier AD–2023–00734–A]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Various
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
various airplanes modified with a
certain configuration of the Garmin GFC
500 Autopilot System installed per
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
No. SA01866WI. This proposed AD was
prompted by a report of an uncommanded automatic pitch trim
runaway when the autopilot was first
engaged. This proposed AD would
require updating the applicable Garmin
GFC 500 Autopilot System software for
your airplane and would prohibit
installing earlier versions of that
software. The FAA is proposing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by November 24,
2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
regulations.gov. Follow the instructions
for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov by searching
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SUMMARY:
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for and locating Docket No. FAA–2023–
1990; or in person at Docket Operations
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this NPRM, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christopher Withers, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1801 S Airport Road,
Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946–
4190; email: christopher.d.withers@
faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2023–1990; Project Identifier AD–
2023–00734–A’’ at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal
information you provide. The agency
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received
about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Christopher Withers,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1801 S
Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209. Any
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69891
commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as
CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA received a report of an
incident involving a Textron Aviation
Inc. (type certificate previously held by
Beech Aircraft Corporation, Raytheon
Aircraft Company, Hawker Beechcraft
Corporation, and Beechcraft
Corporation) Model F33A Bonanza
airplane having an un-commanded
automatic pitch trim runaway when the
autopilot was first engaged. The
airplane was equipped with a Garmin
GFC 500 Autopilot System that
included an optional GSA 28 pitch trim
servo. The affected Garmin GFC 500
Autopilot System includes G5, G3X
Touch, or GI 275 software and was
installed per STC No. SA01866WI using
Master Drawing List 005–01264–00,
Revisions 1 through 76.
The affected autopilot system
software does not properly handle
certain hardware failures of the pitch
trim servo. This could result in an
automatic un-commanded pitch trim
runaway, and loss of control of the
airplane.
An investigation by Garmin
International and the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
determined this condition could exist
on various Textron Aviation, Inc., Piper
Aircraft, Inc., Commander Aircraft
Corporation, Mooney International
Corporation, and DAHER AEROSPACE
airplane models equipped with a
Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot System that
includes an optional GSA 28 pitch trim
servo.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
updating the applicable Garmin GFC
500 Autopilot System software for your
airplane and would prohibit installing
earlier versions of that software.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 5,900
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69888-69891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22335]
========================================================================
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. 88 , No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 69888]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 927
[Doc. No. AMS-SC-22-0079]
Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Amendment to the Marketing
Order
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document invites comments on a proposed amendment to
Marketing Order No. 927, which regulates the handling of pears grown in
Oregon and Washington. The proposed amendment would revise the Fresh
Pear Committee's approval requirement for recommending modifications to
the marketing order's fresh pear handling regulations from 80 to 75
percent.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 11, 2023 to be assured
consideration.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
concerning this proposed rule. Comments can be sent to the Docket
Clerk, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237.
Comments can also be submitted to the Docket Clerk electronically by
Email at: [email protected], or via the internet at:
https://www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference the document
number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal
Register. All comments will be made 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 on the internet at the address provided
above. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or
entities submitting comments will be made public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Geronimo Quinones, Marketing
Specialist, or Matthew Pavone, Chief, Rulemaking Services Branch,
Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237;
Telephone: (202) 720-8085, or Email: [email protected].
Small businesses may request information on complying with this
regulation by contacting Richard Lower, Market Development Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP
0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-8085, or Email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553,
proposes to amend regulations issued to carry out a marketing order as
defined in 7 CFR 900.2(j). This proposal is issued under Marketing
Order No. 927, as amended (7 CFR part 927), regulating the handling of
pears grown in Oregon and Washington. Part 927 (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 Fresh Pear Committee (``Committee'') administers the
Order's provisions relating to the handling of pears for the fresh
market. The Committee comprises growers and handlers of pears operating
within Oregon and Washington, and a public member.
Section 608c(17) of the Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(17)) and the applicable
rules of practice and procedure at 7 CFR 900.43 authorize amendment of
the Order through this informal rulemaking action. The Agricultural
Marketing Service (``AMS'') will consider comments received in response
to this proposed rule and, based on all the information available, will
determine if the amendment is warranted. If AMS determines amendment of
the Order is warranted, a subsequent proposed rule and notice of
referendum would be issued, and growers would be allowed to vote for or
against the proposed amendment. AMS would then issue a final rule
effectuating any amendments favored in the referendum.
AMS is issuing this proposed rule in conformance with Executive
Orders 12866, 13563, and 14094. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct
agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory
alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory
approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic,
environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts,
and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of
quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules,
and promoting flexibility. Executive Order 14094 reaffirms,
supplements, and updates Executive Order 12866 and further directs
agencies to solicit and consider input from a wide range of affected
and interested parties through a variety of means. This proposed rule
is not a significant regulatory action within the meaning of Executive
Order 12866. Accordingly, this action has not been reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') under section 6 of the
Executive Order.
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 13175,
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, which
requires agencies to consider whether their rulemaking actions would
have Tribal implications. AMS has determined this proposed rule is
unlikely to have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian
Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian
Tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between
the Federal Government and Indian Tribes.
This proposal has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. This proposed rule is not intended to have retroactive
effect.
The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted
before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the
Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(15)(A)), any handler subject to a marketing 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 requesting a modification of the order
or to be exempted therefrom. The handler is afforded the opportunity
for a hearing on the petition. After the hearing, USDA would rule on
the petition. The handler may then seek judicial review of the ruling
by filing suit in the U.S. district
[[Page 69889]]
court for the district in which the handler is an inhabitant or has his
or her principal place of business, provided the action is filed no
later than 20 days after the date of entry of the ruling.
Section 608c(17) of the Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(17)) and the
supplemental rules of practice at 7 CFR 900.43 authorize the use of
informal rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553) to amend Federal fruit, vegetable,
and nut marketing agreements and orders. In determining whether
informal rulemaking is appropriate, USDA is required to consider the
nature and complexity of the proposed amendments, the potential
regulatory and economic impacts on affected entities, and any other
relevant matters.
AMS has considered these factors and has determined that the
amendment proposed herein is not unduly complex and the nature of the
proposed amendment is appropriate for utilizing the informal rulemaking
process to amend the Order. This proposed rule would revise the
approval requirement for recommending modifications to the Order's
fresh pear handling regulations. In addition, as discussed in the
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis section below, the proposed
rule is not anticipated to have any significant economic impact on
affected entities. Further, the proposed amendment would not impose any
new reporting, record-keeping, or compliance costs on businesses.
The Committee recommended the proposed amendment to the Order
following deliberations at a public meeting held on June 2, 2022. The
Committee recommended this change by vote of nine in favor and two
opposed, with one abstention. The two opposing voters did not feel the
proposed change was necessary, and the abstention voter wanted an even
lower requirement. The Committee submitted its formal recommendation to
amend the Order through the informal rulemaking process on August 23,
2022, and subsequently provided AMS clarification about the
recommendation on December 1, 2022.
Proposal--Prerequisites to Recommendations
Currently, sections 927.33(a) and 927.52(a) of the Order provide
that all decisions of the Committee require a supporting vote of 75
percent or greater; except that a decision to recommend changes to the
regulations concerning the shipment of fresh pears requires a
supporting vote of 80 percent or greater. The voting requirements in
section 927.52 of the Order utilize a weighted calculation of votes
based on the handling of specific pear varieties. The Committee
recommended modifying the current 80-percent voting requirement to 75
percent to align these voting requirements, mitigate confusion, and
simplify the Order.
In 2020, the Committee recommended a regulation change to the Anjou
pear variety in three separate motions, each receiving a separate vote.
A subcommittee was formed to investigate how the proposed modification
to the voting requirement might have affected the 2020 voting outcomes.
The subcommittee analyzed the three motions by comparing each voting
outcome at 75- and 80-percent vote requirement levels. Of the three,
two motions did not have enough Committee support at either voting
level and received only 52 percent and 66 percent of the vote. The
third motion for the regulation change received 86 percent affirmative
support by vote. Therefore, the subcommittee concluded that changing
the requirement to 75 percent would not have altered the outcome of
those votes.
While most of the Committee believes the current 80-percent voter
affirmation requirement is too high, two members believe the change to
75 percent is not necessary, and one member believes the change is not
impactful enough.
The Committee considered alternatives, including a 70-percent
requirement. However, after running simulations with historical data to
assess the impact of a 70- or 75-percent requirement, the Committee
determined 75 percent to be optimal in that it did not materially
affect vote outcomes for recommendations. Additionally, the adjustment
from an 80- to 75-percent voting requirement establishes regulatory
consistency with other Committee recommendations that have a 75-percent
voting requirement. As such, the Committee believes this proposal would
provide more continuity to all Committee voting procedures without
materially changing voting outcomes, thereby mitigating confusion and
improving the efficiency of its operations.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), 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 to ensure 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 708 growers of fresh pears in the
production area and 27 handlers subject to regulation under the Order.
At the time this analysis was prepared, small agricultural producers of
pears were defined by the Small Business Administration (``SBA'') as
those having annual receipts equal to or less than $3,500,000 (North
American Industry Classification System code 111339, Other Noncitrus
Fruit Farming), and small agricultural service firms were defined as
those whose annual receipts are equal to or less than $34,000,000
(North American Industry Classification System Code 115114, Postharvest
Crop Activities) (13 CFR 121.201).
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the 2020
average grower price received for fresh pears produced in Oregon and
Washington was $11.39 per standard 44-pound box or equivalent.
Committee data indicates total production was 16,290,225 44-pound
standard boxes or equivalent in the 2019-20 fiscal period. The total
2019-20 fiscal period value of assessable fresh ``summer/fall'' and
``winter'' pears grown in Oregon and Washington was $185,545,663
(16,290,225 44-pound standard boxes or equivalent multiplied by $11.39
per box equals $185,545,663). Dividing the crop value by the estimated
number of growers (708), yields an estimated average receipt per grower
of $262,070.
According to USDA Market News data, the reported average terminal
price for 2020 Oregon and Washington fresh pears was $34.87 per 44-
pound standard box or equivalent (data reported in \4/5\ bushel).
Multiplying the Committee-reported 2019-20 Oregon and Washington total
production of 16,290,225 44-pound standard boxes or equivalent by the
estimated average price per box or equivalent of $34.87 equals
$568,040,146. Dividing this figure by 27 regulated handlers yields
estimated average annual handler receipts of $21,038,524. Therefore,
using the above data, the majority of growers and handlers of Oregon
and Washington fresh pears may be classified as small entities.
This proposed rule would revise a provision in the Order's subpart
regulating handling of pears grown in Oregon and Washington. This
proposal would align the approval requirement for recommending
modifications to the Order's fresh pear handling regulations,
[[Page 69890]]
which is 80 percent, with all other Committee voting requirements
within the Order. Currently, all other Committee recommendations
require 75 percent concurrence. The different voting requirements
sometimes result in confusion for some Committee members, which can
disrupt Committee operations.
The proposed amendment has no anticipated impact on the reporting,
record-keeping, or compliance costs of small businesses.
The proposed amendment would not directly increase or decrease
costs to members of the pear industry.
Alternatives to the proposed amendment were considered, including
making no changes at this time. However, the Committee believes it is
necessary to bring all voting requirements in-line for clarity and
understanding to ensure the efficient execution of the Order.
Paperwork Reduction Act
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. 0581-0189, Fruit Crops.
No changes in those requirements would be necessary because of this
proposed rule. 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 pear 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.
The Committee's meetings are widely publicized throughout the pear
production area. All interested persons are invited to attend the
meetings and encouraged to participate in Committee deliberations on
all issues. Like all Committee meetings, the meeting held on June 2,
2022, was open to the public, and all entities, both large and small,
were encouraged to express their views on the proposed amendment.
Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the proposed
amendment to the Order, including comments on the regulatory and
information collection impacts of the proposed rule on small
businesses.
Following analysis of any comments received on the amendment in
this proposed rule, AMS will evaluate all available information and
determine whether to proceed. If appropriate, a proposed rule and
notice of referendum would be issued, and growers would be provided the
opportunity to vote for or against the proposed amendment. Information
about the referendum, including dates and voter eligibility
requirements, would be published in a future issue of the Federal
Register. A final rule would then be issued to effectuate any amendment
favored in the referendum.
A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and
specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at:
https://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.
General Findings
The findings hereinafter set forth are supplementary to the
findings and determinations which were previously made in connection
with the issuance of Marketing Order 927; and all said previous
findings and determinations are hereby ratified and affirmed, except
insofar as such findings and determinations may be in conflict with the
findings and determinations set forth herein.
1. Marketing Order 927 as hereby proposed to be amended and all the
terms and conditions thereof, would tend to effectuate the declared
policy of the Act;
2. Marketing Order 927 as hereby proposed to be amended regulates
the handling of pears grown in Oregon and Washington and is applicable
only to persons in the respective classes of commercial and industrial
activity specified in the Order;
3. Marketing Order 927 as hereby proposed to be amended is limited
in application to the smallest regional production area which is
practicable, consistent with carrying out the declared policy of the
Act, and the issuance of several marketing orders applicable to
subdivisions of the production area would not effectively carry out the
declared policy of the Act;
4. Marketing Order 927 as hereby proposed to be amended prescribes,
insofar as practicable, such different terms applicable to different
parts of the production area as are necessary to give due recognition
to the differences in the production and marketing of pears produced or
packed in the production area; and
5. All handling of pears grown or handled in the production area,
as defined in Marketing Order 927, is in the current of interstate or
foreign commerce or directly burdens, obstructs, or affects such
commerce.
A 60-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to
respond to this proposal. Any comments received on the amendment
proposed in this rule will be analyzed and, if AMS determines to
proceed based on all the information presented, a producer referendum
would be conducted to determine industry support for the proposed
amendment. If appropriate, a final rule would then be issued to
effectuate the amendments favored by producers participating in the
referendum.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 927
Marketing agreements, Pears, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Agricultural
Marketing Service proposes to amend 7 CFR part 927 as follows:
PART 927--PEARS GROWN IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON
0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 927 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
0
2. Amend Sec. 927.52 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 927.52 Prerequisites to recommendations.
(a) Decisions of the Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear
Committee with respect to any recommendations to the Secretary pursuant
to the establishment or modification of a supplemental rate of
assessment for an individual variety or subvariety of pears shall be
made by affirmative vote of not less than 75 percent of the applicable
total number of votes, computed in the manner described in paragraph
(b) of this section, of all members. Decisions of the Fresh Pear
Committee pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 927.50 shall be made by
an affirmative vote of not less than 75 percent of the applicable total
number of votes, computed in the manner
[[Page 69891]]
prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section, of all members.
* * * * *
Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22335 Filed 10-6-23; 8:45 am]
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