Commodity Credit Corporation 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Solicitation of Applications for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2021
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Rural Business- Cooperative Service (RBCS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced the general policy and application procedures for funding under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) in a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) which published on May 5, 2020 in the Federal Register. HBIIP provides up to $100 million in competitive grants to eligible entities for activities designed to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). This Notice announces the opening date for a second HBIIP application window for the remaining (approximately) $22 million (of the $100 million) and amends certain provisions and requirements of the original solicitation and clarifying notices published in the Federal Register on May 15, 2020 and June 3, 2020.
Notice of Request for a Renewal of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to request a revision for a currently approved information collection in support of the CCC Export Credit Guarantee (GSM-102) Program based on current program levels and participants.
Payment Limitation and Payment Eligibility
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) amended its regulations concerning payment limitation and eligibility through a final rule published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2020. This correction restores the previous definitions of ``active personal management,'' ``significant contribution,'' ``significant contribution of active personal management,'' and ``significant contribution of the combination of active personal labor and active personal management.''
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
This final rule adopts, with minor changes, an interim rule published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2019, that made changes to the NRCS's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The changes were made to be consistent with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) and implemented administrative improvements and clarifications. NRCS received input from 197 commenters who provided 598 comments in response to the interim rule. This final rule makes permanent those changes appearing in the interim rule, responds to comments, and makes further adjustments in response to some of the comments received.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
This final rule adopts, with minor changes, an interim rule published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2019. The interim rule implemented changes to CSP that were necessitated by enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) or that were required to implement administrative improvements and clarifications. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) received input from 110 commenters who provided 615 comments in response to the interim rule. This final rule makes permanent those changes appearing in the interim rule, responds to comments, and makes further adjustments in response to some of the comments received. In addition, the rule makes some minor technical corrections.
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA); Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP)
The Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP) provides payments to eligible commercial fishermen of seafood commodities that have been impacted by trade actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of exports. This document announces the availability of STRP funds for eligible active commercial fishermen as specified in this document, consistent with the Presidential Memorandum issued on June 24, 2020, ``Protecting the United States Lobster Industry.'' The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers STRP on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Payments are for the purpose of expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic markets for U.S. caught and sold seafood.
Payment Limitation and Payment Eligibility
This rule implements the mandatory changes required by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) and other changes made by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) on behalf of CCC. Specifically, the mandatory changes update program applicability and payment limitations; and specify that the Secretary may approve a waiver of the average adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation for participants of certain conservation contracts administered by FSA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on environmentally sensitive land. Also, the mandatory changes expand the definition of ``family member'' to include first cousins, nieces, and nephews. This rule also includes changes that make minor clarifications and updates throughout part 1400.
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program
The Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), is announcing changes to the availability of funding and payment calculation for certified organic operations, which are required based on expected participation levels and limited funding, under the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). FSA is also announcing the opportunity for State Agencies to apply for grant agreements to administer the OCCSP program in fiscal year (FY) 2020.
Notice of Funds Availability for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020; Correction
The Commodity Credit Corporation and the Rural Business- Cooperative Service, USDA published a notice in the Federal Register on May 5, 2020 regarding the Notice of Funds Availability for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020. This document inadvertently did not include all the Western states in Section V. Application Review Information, A. Criteria, 2. This notice corrects that omission.
Debt Management
The general debt management regulations of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide that individual USDA agencies may issue regulations for their own specific debt collection activities principally in recognition that the agencies conducted debt collection activities prior to the enactment of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA). Many of the provisions of individual agencies are redundant to part 3. This rule will eliminate the debt collection regulations of the following USDA agencies, and part 3 will be revised to include specific provisions used by these agencies: the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC); the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), and the Farm Service Agency (FSA). In addition, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 Civil Penalties Act), this rule updates the size of civil monetary penalties to reflect inflationary adjustments for 2020.
Notice of Funds Availability for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020 and Solicitation of Applications for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020; Correction
The Commodity Credit Corporation and the Rural Business- Cooperative Service, USDA published a notice in the Federal Register on May 5, 2020 regarding the Notice of Funds Availability for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020 and a notice on May 15, 2020, regarding the Solicitation of Applications for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020 announcing the opening date for the application window. These documents referenced an incorrect program name in the DATES section of both notices.
Solicitation of Applications for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Rural Business- Cooperative Service (RBCS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced its general policy and application procedures for funding under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) in a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) on May 5, 2020 in the Federal Register. The HBIIP will provide up to $100 million in competitive grants to eligible entities for activities designed to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). This Notice announces the opening date for the HBIIP application window.
Notice of Funds Availability for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Rural Business- Cooperative Service (RBCS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announce the availability of up to $100 million in competitive grants to eligible entities for activities designed to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Cost- share grants of up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs but not more than $5 million will be made available to assist transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities with converting to higher blend friendly status for ethanol (i.e., greater than 10 percent ethanol) and biodiesel (greater than 5 percent biodiesel) by sharing the costs related to the installation, and/or retrofitting, and/or otherwise upgrading of dispenser/pumps, related equipment, and infrastructure.
Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs and Noninsured Crop Assistance Program; Correction
This document corrects regulations that were published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2019, and March 2, 2020. The rules revised the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs and Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP) to implement changes required by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). There were errors in three of the definitions in ARC and PLC program rule. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is also correcting one sentence in the NAP rule.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program; Correction
CCC is correcting an interim rule that was published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2020, to incorporate the 2018 Farm Bill changes to the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) program administration. There was an unintentional error that omitted several paragraphs in a certain section in the RCPP rule. CCC and NRCS are also extending the comment period for the interim rule.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
This rule implements changes to the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) as required by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). The rule makes buy-up coverage levels available for 2019 and future years, increases service fees, and extends the service fee waiver and premium reduction to eligible veterans. The rule includes the changes to the payment limitation and native sod provisions and clarifies when NAP coverage is available for crops when certain crop insurance is available under the Federal Crop Insurance Act. This rule is adding provisions for eligibility and program requirements for new producers or producers with less than 1- year growing experience with a new crop (for example, most hemp producers). This rule also makes some additional minor changes to clarify existing NAP requirements and improve program integrity.
Announcement of Future Competitive Grant Funds Availability for Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Rural Business- Cooperative Service (RBCS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), intend to announce in a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) the availability of up to $100 million in competitive grants to eligible entities for activities designed to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). The purpose of this notice is to alert prospective participants and stakeholders of the Agencies' intentions to jointly publish a NOFA by mid-spring which will provide specific program information and requirements.
Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to make changes to the Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs, which include the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). The rule includes changes required by the 2018 Farm Bill, as well as discretionary changes intended improve administration of the programs and clarify existing program requirements.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program
This interim rule with request for public comment adds a new part to our regulations to implement the Regioinal Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP enhances conservation and promotes coordination between NRCS and its partners to help producers and landowners increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, and wildlife on a regional or watershed scale. NRCS, an agency of the USDA, administers RCPP, which is funded through CCC. RCCP is reauthorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill), which streamlined RCPP administration, including elimination of ``covered program'' financial transfers and replacement of covered program contracts with RCPP contracts and programmatic partnership agreements. Section 2504 of the 2018 Farm Bill authorizes NRCS to implement RCPP through an Availability of Program Funding (APF) announcement in FY 2019 without issuing a regulation. This interim administration authority expired September 30, 2019, and section 1271E(e) of the RCPP statute, as amended, requires NRCS to administer RCPP through a regulation going forward. Therefore, NRCS is publishing this interim rule to incorporate the 2018 Farm Bill changes to RCPP program administration.
Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund and Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund
This final rule makes amendments to regulations for the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund (Agriculture Pima Trust Fund) and the Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund (Wool Trust Fund) programs. This final rule makes minor changes to the Department of Agriculture's administration of the Wool Trust Fund, required by section 12603 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Statutory changes were made with respect to two of the four types of payments available under the Wool Trust Fund, the Refund of Duties Paid on Imports of Certain Wool Products (Wool Duty Refund program) and the Payments to Manufacturers of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics (Wool Grant program). In addition, new regulatory language is required to update the payment expiration calendar year and for submission of affidavits that apply to all four payments made available under the Wool Trust Fund. This final rule also makes minor changes to the Department of Agriculture's administration of the Agriculture Pima Trust Fund per section 12602 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. New regulatory language is required for updating the payment expiration calendar year and to include information in the required affidavit of yarn spinners.
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
On January 6, 2020, CCC and NRCS published an interim rule in the Federal Register that made changes to the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) regulations. This correction is being published to address minor errors in the preamble portion of the ACEP interim rule published on January 6, 2020. There are no changes to the ACEP regulations as published on January 6, 2020. CCC and NRCS are also extending the comment period and asking for public input on additional specific questions.
Request for Information on a Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
The United States Department of Agriculture requests input from all interested parties on a Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). The Department Agency is exploring options to expand domestic ethanol and biodiesel availability and is seeking information on opportunities to consider infrastructure projects to facilitate increased sales of higher biofuel blends (E15/B20 or higher.) This effort will build on biofuels infrastructure investments and experience gained through the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). USDA administered BIP from 2016-2019 through state and private partners to expand the availability of E15 and E85 infrastructure to make available higher ethanol blends at retail gas stations around the country.
Market Access Program
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is revising the Market Access Program (MAP) regulations to eliminate the 5-year limit on participation by branded products in the program, as required in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and to incorporate changes that conform the operation of the program to the requirements in the Uniform Guidance and Federal grant-making best practices.
Foreign Market Development Program
This rule revises the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program regulations to incorporate changes that conform the operation of the program to the requirements in the ``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards'' (Uniform Guidance) and Federal grant-making best practices.
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) made changes to ACEP. This interim rule makes conforming changes to the ACEP policies and procedures in the regulations.
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