Notice2026-18128
Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Request for Comments To Be Used in a Review of 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Act
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Published
September 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAgricultural Marketing Service
Abstract
As provided for by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendments of 1990, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing its intention to conduct a review to ascertain whether a referendum is needed to determine whether producers and importers favor continuation of five specific amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Order). This notice invites all interested parties to submit written comments to the Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department). USDA will consider these comments in determining whether a referendum is warranted on the five specific amendments.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 171 (Friday, September 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 171 (Friday, September 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56829-56830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18128]
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Notices
Federal Register
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or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 171 / Friday, September 4, 2026 /
Notices
[[Page 56829]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-CN-26-0166]
Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Request for Comments To Be
Used in a Review of 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research and
Promotion Act
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: As provided for by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act
Amendments of 1990, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is
announcing its intention to conduct a review to ascertain whether a
referendum is needed to determine whether producers and importers favor
continuation of five specific amendments to the Cotton Research and
Promotion Order (Order). This notice invites all interested parties to
submit written comments to the Department of Agriculture (USDA or
Department). USDA will consider these comments in determining whether a
referendum is warranted on the five specific amendments.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 3, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments by using
the electronic process available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> or by
sending them to the Cotton Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco
Program, AMS, USDA, 3275 Appling Road, Memphis, TN 38133. All comments
should reference the document number (AMS-CN-26-0166), the date, and
the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments
received will be posted without change, including any personal
information provided, at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and will be
included in the record and made available to the public. Please do not
include personally identifiable information (such as name, address, or
other contact information) or confidential business information that
you do not want publicly disclosed. Comments may be submitted
anonymously.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Coleman, Branch Chief, Research
and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 3275 Appling
Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38133; telephone (901) 384-3000; facsimile
(901) 384-3033; or email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92d1fde6e6fdfcc0c2d2e7e1f6f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d3e12090912132f2d3d080e191c531a120b">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of
1966 (7 U.S.C. 2101-2118) authorized a national industry-funded Cotton
Research and Promotion Program that the Department oversees. The
program's objective is to enable an effective and continuous
coordinated program of research and promotion designed to strengthen
cotton's competitive position and to maintain and expand markets and
uses for cotton.
The program became effective on December 31, 1966, when the Cotton
Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR part 1205) was issued. Assessments
began with the 1967 cotton crop. The Order was amended and a
supplemental assessment initiated, effective January 26, 1977.
The program is currently financed through assessments levied on
domestic and imported cotton and cotton-containing products.
Assessments under this program are used to fund advertising and sales
promotion projects, as well as research and development projects and
studies.
The Cotton Board, which has 37 members, 37 alternate members and
three advisors, administers the program. Selected by the Secretary
after nomination from eligible producer and importer organizations, the
Cotton Board is composed of representatives of cotton producers and
cotton importers, each of whom has an alternate. All members and their
alternates serve terms of 3 years. The Cotton Board's administrative
responsibilities include collecting funds; contracting with an
organization for the development and implementation of programs of
research and promotion; reviewing and making recommendations to the
Secretary of Agriculture on proposed programs and budgets; and making
funds available for such programs with the Secretary's approval. The
Act prohibits the Cotton Board from participating in any matters
influencing governmental policies or action except making
recommendations for amendments to the Order.
Congress amended the Act in subtitle G of title XIX of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-624, 104
Stat. 3909, November 28, 1990). The five amendments provided for: (1)
importer representation on the Cotton Board; (2) the assessment of
imported cotton and cotton products; (3) increasing the amount the
Secretary of Agriculture can be reimbursed for conduct of a referendum
from $200,000 to $300,000; (4) reimbursing government agencies who
assist in administering the collection of assessments on imported
cotton and cotton products; and (5) terminating the right of a producer
to demand a refund of assessments. In a referendum conducted July 17-
26, 1991, a majority (60 percent) of importers and producers approved
the amendments of 1990, as the Act required. Results of this referendum
were announced in a nationally distributed press release dated August
2, 1991. The amendments to the Order were promulgated in final rules
published in the Federal Register at 56 FR 64470 on December 10, 1991--
with a minor correction at 56 FR 66670 on December 24, 1991.
Every 5 years after the July 1991 referendum, the Cotton Research
and Promotion Act Amendment of 1990, section 8(c)(1), requires that the
Secretary of Agriculture conduct a review to ascertain whether a
referendum is needed to determine whether producers and importers favor
continuation of the 1990 amendments. If a referendum is held, producers
and importers would vote on the continuation of the five specific
amendments to the Order provided for in the Cotton Research and
Promotion Act Amendments of 1990.
The results of the most recent review report of the Cotton Research
and Promotion Program was issued on December 18, 2020, and the
Department found no compelling reason to conduct a referendum (85 FR
82426). But, consistent with section 8(c)(2) of the Act, the Department
provided notice of the opportunity for all eligible persons
[[Page 56830]]
to request a continuance referendum on the 1991 amendments by making
such a request during a sign-up period. During the period of June 21,
2021, through July 2, 2021, and October 18, 2021, through October 29,
2021, the Department conducted a sign-up period for all eligible
persons to request a continuance referendum on the 1990 Act amendments.
The results from the sign-up period (86 FR 72203) did not meet the
statutory criteria for a referendum. Therefore, the Department did not
conduct a referendum.
In 2026, the Secretary of Agriculture will conduct its review of
the Cotton Research and Promotion Program Act amendments to ascertain
whether a referendum is needed to determine whether producers and
importers support continuation of the five specific amendments to the
Order, as provided for by the 1990 Act amendments. The Secretary of
Agriculture will make a public announcement of the results of the
review. Pursuant to the Act, if the Secretary of Agriculture determines
that a referendum is needed, the Secretary of Agriculture will conduct
the referendum within 12 months after a public announcement of the
determination to conduct the referendum.
If the Secretary determines that a referendum is not warranted, a
sign-up period to request such a referendum will be made available to
cotton producers and importers. A referendum will be held if requested
by 10 percent or more of those voting in the most recent referendum as
long as not more than 20 percent are from any one State or importers of
cotton. This sign-up period will be announced in the Federal Register.
A 60-day comment period is provided for interested persons to
provide comments to be used by the Department in its review. All
interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the
following five specific amendments:
(1) Importer representation on the Cotton Board;
(2) The assessment of imported cotton and cotton products;
(3) Increasing the amount the Secretary of Agriculture can be
reimbursed for conduct of a referendum from $200,000 to $300,000;
(4) Reimbursing government agencies who assist in administering the
collection of assessments on imported cotton and cotton products; and
(5) Terminating the right of a producer to demand a refund of
assessments.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101-2118.
Melissa Bailey,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-18128 Filed 9-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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