Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order; Continuance Referendum
| Published date | 03 September 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 54945 |
| Record Number | 2020-17547 |
| Section | Proposed rules |
| Court | Agricultural Marketing Service |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 172 (Thursday, September 3, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 172 (Thursday, September 3, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54945-54946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17547]
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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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 172 / Thursday, September 3, 2020 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 54945]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1222
[Document No. AMS-SC-19-0110]
Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and
Information Order; Continuance Referendum
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notification of referendum order.
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SUMMARY: This document directs that a referendum be conducted among
eligible domestic manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based
packaging to determine whether they favor continuance of the
Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national
paper and paper-based packaging research and promotion program.
DATES: This referendum will be conducted by express mail and electronic
ballot from October 12, 2020, through October 23, 2020. Persons who
domestically manufactured and imported 100,000 short tons or more of
paper and paper-based packaging during the representative period from
January 1 through December 31, 2019, are eligible to vote in the
referendum. Ballots delivered to AMS via express mail or email must
show proof of delivery by no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on
October 23, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion,
Research, and Information Order may be obtained from: Referendum Agent,
Promotion and Economics Division (PED), Specialty Crops Program (SCP),
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 1406-S, Stop 0244,
Washington, DC 20250-0244, telephone: (202) 720-9915; facsimile: (202)
205-2800.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stacy Jones King, Marketing
Specialist, Promotion and Economics Division, Specialty Crops Program,
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 1406-S, Stop 0244,
Washington, DC 20250-0244; Stacy Jones King at (202) 720-4140 or via
electronic mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Commodity Promotion,
Research, and Information Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425) (1996 Act),
it is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to ascertain
whether continuance of the Paper and Paper-Based packaging Research,
Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order (7 CFR
part 1222) is favored by eligible domestic manufacturers and importers
of paper and paper-based packaging. The program is authorized under the
1996 Act.
The representative period for establishing voter eligibility for
the referendum shall be the period from January 1 through December 31,
2019. Persons who domestically manufactured and imported 100,000 short
tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging during the
representative period are eligible to vote in the referendum. Persons
who received an exemption from assessments pursuant to Sec. 1222.53
for the entire representative period are ineligible to vote. The
Department will provide the option for electronic balloting. The
referendum will be conducted by express mail and electronic ballot from
October 12 through October 23, 2020. Further details will be provided
in the ballot instructions.
The program took effect in 2013. Section 518 of the 1996 Act (7
U.S.C. 7417) authorizes continuance referenda. Under Sec. 1222.81(b)
of the Order, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must conduct a
referendum no later than seven years after the program became effective
and every seven years thereafter or when 10 percent or more of persons
eligible to vote petition the Secretary of Agriculture to hold a
referendum to determine if persons subject to assessment favor
continuance of the program. USDA would continue the program if
continuance is favored by a majority of domestic manufacturers and
importers of paper and paper-based packaging voting in the referendum
who also represent a majority of the volume of paper and paper-based
packaging represented in the referendum.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35), the referendum ballot has been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) and assigned OMB No. 0581-0093. It has been
estimated that approximately 40 entities will be eligible to vote in
the referendum. It will take an average of 15 minutes for each voter to
read the voting instructions and complete the referendum ballot.
Referendum Order
Stacy Jones King, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, and Heather
Pichelman, Director, Promotion and Economics Division, Specialty Crops
Program, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406-S, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20250-0244, are designated as the referendum agents
to conduct this referendum. The referendum procedures at 7 CFR 1222.100
through 1222.108, which were issued pursuant to the 1996 Act, shall be
used to conduct the referendum.
The referendum agents will express mail or email the ballots to be
cast in the referendum and voting instructions to all known, eligible
domestic manufacturers and importers prior to the first day of the
voting period. Persons who domestically manufactured and imported
100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging during
the representative period are eligible to vote. Persons who received an
exemption from assessments pursuant to Sec. 1222.53 during the entire
representative period are ineligible to vote. Any eligible domestic
manufacturer or importer who does not receive a ballot should contact a
referendum agent no later than one week before the end of the voting
period. Ballots delivered via express mail or email must show proof of
delivery by no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on October 23,
2020.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1222
Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Consumer
information, Marketing agreements, Promotion, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Paper and Paper-based Packaging.
[[Page 54946]]
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425; 7 U.S.C. 7401.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-17547 Filed 9-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
