Regulatory Flexibility Act: Plan for Periodic Review of Regulations

AGENCY:

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Schedule for review of agency regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is publishing this plan for the review of its regulations under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). AMS has included in this plan all regulations that warrant periodic review irrespective of whether specific regulations meet the threshold requirement for mandatory review established by the RFA. The identified rules will be reviewed as indicated during the next ten years.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christine M. Sarcone, Director, Legislative and Regulatory Review Staff, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Room 3510-South, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; telephone: (202) 720-3203; fax: (202) 690-3767.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Sec. 610 of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 610) requires agencies to review all regulations on a periodic basis that have or will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Because many AMS regulations impact small entities, AMS decided, as a matter of policy, to review certain regulations which although they may not meet the threshold requirement under Sec. 610 of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 610) merit review.

This document updates the original plan which was published on February 18, 1999 (64 FR 8014). Since then, two reviews have been completed and summaries of the results published in the Federal Register—(1) California Olives, (7 CFR part 932), March 27, 2001 (66 FR 16593); and (2) Federal Seed Act Regulations, (7 CFR part 201), March 22, 2001 (66 FR 16015). Copies of these two completed reviews can be obtained from the Legislative and Regulatory Review Staff at the telephone number provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. In addition, two other reviews have been completed with summaries of the results to be published in the Federal Register in the near future—(1) Watermelon Research and Promotion Program (7 CFR part 1210); and (2) Irish Potatoes Grown in Certain Designated Counties in ID, and Malheur County, OR (7 CFR part 945).

In the 1999 review plan, AMS stated that reviews for the Dairy Promotion Program, Potato Research and Promotion, Egg Research and Promotion, and Pork Promotion, Research and Consumer Information regulations would be conducted in calendar year 2001; however, it was determined that completion of such reviews was not feasible by the established dates, therefore, review of the regulations has been delayed until year 2002. In addition, a request for comments was published in the Federal Register on June 13, 2001, (66 FR 31850) for Almonds Grown in California (7 CFR part 981). However, completion of this review also has been delayed until year 2002.

AMS also stated that it would announce regulations to be reviewed in the semi-annual regulatory agenda which is published in the Federal Register; however, after further consideration, the agency has decided that it would announce the reviews in the Federal Register separate from the semi-annual regulatory agenda. AMS plans now to publish in the year the regulations are scheduled for review a Federal Register document announcing the review. At that time, a contact person will be identified to whom comments may be submitted concerning the review.

The purpose of each review will be to determine whether the rules should be continued without change, or should be amended or rescinded (consistent with the objectives of applicable statutes) to minimize impacts on small businesses. In reviewing its rules the AMS will consider the following factors:

(1) The continued need for the rule;

(2) The nature of complaints or comments from the public concerning the rule;

(3) The complexity of the rule;

(4) The extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal rules and, to the extent feasible, with state and local regulations; and

(5) The length of time since the rule has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the rule.

The attached document announces the revised schedule for reviewing the agency's regulations.