Notice2022-08583
USDA Equity Commission
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 22, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture Department
Abstract
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a public meeting of the USDA Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and Subcommittee for Agriculture will convene to continue its work reviewing USDA programs, services, and policies for the purpose of making recommendations for how the Department can improve access and advance equity. The Commission and Subcommittee are authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 78 (Friday, April 22, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 78 (Friday, April 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24093-24094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08583]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
USDA Equity Commission
AGENCY: USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public and virtual meeting.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the
rules and regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a public
meeting of the USDA Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and
Subcommittee for Agriculture will convene to continue its work
reviewing USDA programs, services, and policies for the purpose of
making recommendations for how the Department can improve access and
advance equity. The Commission and Subcommittee are authorized under
the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, (the Act) and operates in
compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended.
DATES: The EC meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 10 through
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.
Meeting Access: The public can participate via a zoom meeting link.
Access information will be provided to registered individuals via
email. Detailed information can be found at: <a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cecilia Hernandez, Designated Federal
Officer, USDA Equity Commission, Office of the Deputy Secretary, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6006-S, Washington, DC 20250-0235;
Phone:(202) 913-5907; Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a8edd9ddc1dcd1cbc7c5c5c1dbdbc1c7c6e8dddbccc986cfc7de"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c085b1b5a9b4b9a3afadada9b3b3a9afae80b5b3a4a1eea7afb6">[email protected]</span></a>.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the FCC Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 7-1-1
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through
Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed
an Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government and committed to
creating the USDA Equity Commission as part of his rural agenda and
commitment to closing the racial
[[Page 24094]]
wealth gap and addressing longstanding inequities in agriculture.
Section 1006 of the American Rescue Plan directed USDA to create the
Equity Commission and provided funds sufficient to ensure the
Commission is well staffed and positioned to deliver on its charge.
The USDA Equity Commission will advise the Secretary of Agriculture
and provide USDA with an analysis of how its programs, policies,
systems, structures, and practices contribute to barriers to inclusion
or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial,
economic, health and social disparities and recommendations for action.
The Agriculture Subcommittee reports to the Equity Commission and
provides recommendations on issues of concern related to agriculture.
Subsequent subcommittees will focus on other policy areas, such as
rural community and economic development. The Equity Commission will
deliver an interim report and provide actionable recommendations no
later than 12 months after inception. A final report will be completed
by the Summer of 2023.
Meeting Agenda: The agenda items may include, but are not limited
to, welcome and introductions; administrative matters; updates from the
Equity Commission, Agriculture Subcommittee and USDA staff; plans for
the new Rural Community Economic Development Subcommittee, for
developing the EC interim report and next steps. Please check the USDA
Equity Commission website (<a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>) for
an agenda 24-48 hours prior to May 10.
Register for the Meeting: The public is asked to pre-register for
the meeting by visiting <a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>. Your
pre-registration must state: Your name; organization or interest
represented; if you are planning to give oral comments; and if you
require special accommodations. USDA will also accept day-of
registrations.
Oral Comments: The Commission is providing the public an
opportunity to provide oral comments and will accommodate as many
individuals and organizations as time permits. Persons or organizations
wishing to make oral comments must pre-register by 11:59 p.m. ET, May
2, 2022, and may only register for one speaking slot. Participants who
wish to make oral comments must also be available to attend a tech-
check the day before the meeting. Instructions for registering and
participating in the meeting can be found on <a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>.
Written Comments: Written public comments for consideration at the
meeting will be accepted on or before 11:59 p.m. ET, May 2 Comments
submitted after this date will be provided to USDA, but the Commission
may not have adequate time to consider those comments prior to the
meeting. The USDA Equity Commission strongly prefers comments be
submitted electronically. However, written comments may also be
submitted (i.e., postmarked) via mail to the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by or before the deadline. Written
comments will be accepted up to 15 days after the meeting.
Availability of Materials for the Meeting: All written public
comments received by May 25, 2022, will be compiled into a file and
available for member review and be included in the meeting minutes.
Duplicate comments from multiple individuals will appear as one
comment, with a notation that multiple copies of the comment were
received. Please visit <a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a> to view
the agenda and/or minutes from this meeting.
Meeting Accommodations: USDA is committed to making its electronic
and information technologies accessible to individuals with
disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of
the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended. If you need
reasonable accommodations, please make requests in advance for
reasonable accommodations through the meeting registration link on
<a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>. Determinations for reasonable
accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Dated: April 18, 2022.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-08583 Filed 4-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P
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