Assessment Exemption for Organic Commodities Under Federal Marketing Orders; Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for a currently used information collection used by marketers to apply for exemption from market promotion assessments under Federal marketing order programs.

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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69523-69524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22467]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 212 / Wednesday, November 4, 2026 / 
Notices

[[Page 69523]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-SC-26-2246]


Assessment Exemption for Organic Commodities Under Federal 
Marketing Orders; Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention 
to request an extension for a currently used information collection 
used by marketers to apply for exemption from market promotion 
assessments under Federal marketing order programs.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 4, 2027.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice. 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: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#81cce0f3eae4f5e8efe6cef3e5e4f3c2eeecece4eff5c1f4f2e5e0afe6eef7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1954786b727c6d70777e566b7d7c6b5a7674747c776d596c6a7d78377e766f">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> or via the internet at: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Comments should reference the docket number and 
the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. 
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be included in the 
record, will be made available to the public, and may be viewed at: 
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Please be advised that comments are posted 
to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> without change.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Johnson, 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1e4a7f6772716c30547176706d71702d5e6b6d7a7f30797168"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f6a2978f9a9984d8bc999e98859998c5b683859297d8919980">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#44092530302c21336a1425322b2a2104313720256a232b32"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f9b4988d8d919c8ed7a9988f96979cb98c8a9d98d79e968f">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Organic Handler Market Promotion Assessment Exemption under 
Federal Marketing Orders.
    OMB Number: 0581-0216.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2027.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information collection requirements in this request 
are essential to carry out the intent of the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674) (the Act), to 
provide respondents the type of service they request and to administer 
several Federal marketing orders. Marketing order regulations help 
ensure adequate supplies of high-quality product and adequate returns 
to producers. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 
marketing order operations and issue regulations recommended by a board 
or committee of representatives from each commodity industry.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the Act, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
marketing order programs. Under the Act, marketing orders may 
authorize: production and marketing research, including paid 
advertising; volume regulation; reserves, including pools and producer 
allotments; container requirements; and quality control. Assessments 
are levied on handlers regulated under the marketing orders.
    On May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (7 
U.S.C. 7901) amended the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act 
of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7201), exempting any person who handles or markets 
solely 100 percent organic products from paying these assessments with 
respect to any agricultural commodity that is produced on a certified 
organic farm, as defined in the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 6502). A certified organic handler can apply for this exemption 
by completing a ``Certified Organic Handler Application for Exemption 
from Market Promotion Assessments Paid Under Federal Marketing 
Orders,'' and submitting it to the applicable marketing order board or 
committee.
    Section 900.700 (7 CFR part 900) provides for exemption from 
assessments. This notice applies to the following marketing orders: 7 
CFR parts 906 (Texas citrus), 915 (Florida avocados), 923 (Washington 
cherries), 925 (California desert grapes), 927 (Oregon/Washington 
Pears), 930 (Tart cherries grown in seven states), 932 (California 
olives), 948 (Colorado potatoes), 955 (Vidalia onions), 956 (Walla 
Walla onions), 958 (Idaho/Oregon onions), 959 (South Texas onions), 966 
(Florida tomatoes), 981 (California almonds), 982 (Oregon/Washington 
hazelnuts), 984 (California walnuts); 985 (Northwest spearmint oil), 
986 (Pecans grown in 15 states), 987 (California dates), 989 
(California raisins), and 993 (California dried prunes). Currently, 
handling requirements for Marketing Order 993 (California dried prunes) 
are suspended at the industry's request until July 30, 2030 (89 FR 
13587). While its reporting requirements are suspended and currently 
inactive, it is included in this renewal period of this information 
collection package until the industry decides whether to proceed with 
marketing order termination in 2030.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including the AMS Specialty Crops 
Program's regional and headquarters' staff, and authorized employees of 
the boards or committees. Authorized board or committee employees are 
the primary users of the information and AMS is the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Eligible certified organic handlers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 210.
    Estimated Total of Annual Responses: 210.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

[[Page 69524]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 52.5 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who respond, including through the 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

Erin Morris,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-22467 Filed 11-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P


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