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Agricultural Marketing Service Affirms Interim Rule on National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Regulations(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The U.S. Agricultural Marketing Service published the following rule in the Federal Register: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center A Rule by the Agricultural Marketing Service on 09/17/2014 Publication Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 Agencies: Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service Entry Type: Rule Action: Affirmation of interim rule as a final rule. Document Citation: 79 FR 55603 Page: 55603 (1 page) CFR: 7 CFR 63 Agency/Docket Number: Doc. No. AMS-LPS-14-0028 Document Number: 2014-22125 Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-22125 Action Affirmation Of Interim Rule As A Final Rule. Summary The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is affirming without changes, its interim rule to promulgate rules and regulations as provided under the Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) amends the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) regulations to redesignate the statutory authority from the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, amends the definition of Act consistent with the redesignated statutory authority, and amends the regulations by increasing the administrative cap for the use of the fund from 3 percent to 10 percent. DATES: Effective Date: September 18, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Director, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program; Telephone 202/720-5705; Fax: 202/720-1125; or email [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action affirms the interim rule (79 FR 31843) published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2014, which redesignates the statutory authority for the program from section 375 (7 U.S.C. 2008j) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to section 210 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627). In addition, the definition of "Act" is amended under section 63.1 to be consistent with the redesignated statutory authority, and amends the regulations by increasing the administrative cap for the use of the fund from 3 percent to 10 percent. This section also affirms information contained in the interim rule concerning Executive Orders 12866, 13563, 12988, 13175, 13132, and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Further for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has determined that this action is not significant under Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed by OMB. Background Information The NSIIC was initially authorized under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Act). The Act, as amended, was passed as part of the 1996 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 104-127). The initial legislation included a provision that privatized the NSIIC 10 years after its ratification or once the full appropriation of $50 million was disbursed. Subsequently, the NSIIC was privatized on September 30, 2006 (72 FR 28945). In 2008, the NSIIC was re-established under Title XI of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246), also known as the 2008 Farm Bill. Section 11009 of the 2008 Farm Bill repealed the requirement in section 375(e)(6) of the Act to privatize the NSIIC. Additionally, the 2008 Farm Bill provided for $1,000,000 in mandatory funding for fiscal year 2008 from the Commodity Credit Corporation for the NSIIC to remain available until expended, as well as authorization for appropriations in the amount of $10 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. In July 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) promulgated rules and regulations establishing the NSIIC, consistent with the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (75 FR 43031). The rule established the NSIIC and a Board that will manage and be responsible for the general supervision of the activities of the NSIIC, with oversight from the USDA. The NSIIC is authorized to use funds to make grants to eligible entities in accordance with a strategic plan. The authorizing legislation established in the United States Department of the Treasury the NSIIC Revolving Fund (Fund). The Fund was available to the NSIIC, without fiscal year limitation, to carry out the authorized programs and activities of the NSIIC. The law provides authority for amounts in the Fund to be used for direct loans, loan guarantees, cooperative agreements, equity interests, investments, repayable grants, and grants to eligible entities, either directly or through an intermediary, in accordance with a strategic plan submitted by the NSIIC to the Secretary. In accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill, AMS amends the NSIIC regulations at 7 CFR part 63 as provided for herein. The current program authorizes a grant-only program administered by the NSIIC Board. Based on funding, the Board announces that proposals may be submitted to the Board for consideration from eligible entities. The Board determines how funds are allocated. Proposals submitted to the Board must be consistent with the purpose of the NSIIC. Comments On June 3, 2014, USDA published in the Federal Register (79 FR 31843) an interim rule with a request for comments to be received by July 3, 2014. USDA received no comments. PART 63--NATIONAL SHEEP INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT CENTER Accordingly, the interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 63, which was published on June 3, 2014, (79 FR 31843), is adopted as a final rule without change. Dated: September 11, 2014. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2014-22125 Filed 9-16-14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P [*Federal RegisterVJ 2014-09-17] For more information about Targeted News Service products and services, please contact: Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service LLC, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; [email protected]; http://targetednews.com. TNS 22VistaJ-140917 gv-1175814 (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |