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69497

Proposed Rules Federal Register


Vol. 71, No. 231

Friday, December 1, 2006

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER date and page number of this issue of technological improvements. FPB’s
contains notices to the public of the proposed the Federal Register and will be made costs of operating the destination market
issuance of rules and regulations. The available for public inspection in the program are expected to increase to
purpose of these notices is to give interested above office during regular business approximately $21.6 million during FY–
persons an opportunity to participate in the hours. 2007 and $22.5 million during FY–2008.
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules. FOR FURTHER CONTACT INFORMATION: Rita Revenues are projected to be $15.3
Bibbs-Booth, USDA, 1400 Independence million for end of the fiscal year. The
Ave., SW., Room 0640–S, Washington, reserve balance for FY–2007 and FY–
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DC 20250–0295, or call (202) 720–0391. 2008, will fall below the Agency’s
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
mandated four-month reserve level. The
Agricultural Marketing Service reserve balance is projected to be $6.5
Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory million for FY–2007 (3.6 months) and a
7 CFR Part 51 Flexibility Act negative $584,000 for FY–2008 (¥0.3)
[Docket Number FV–06–308] This rule has been determined to be months).
‘‘non-significant’’ for the purposes of This proposed fee increase should
RIN 0581–AC63 Executive Order 12866, and has not result in an estimated average of $2.4
been reviewed by the Office of million in additional revenues per year
Multi-Year Revision of Fees for the (effective in FY–2007, if the fees were
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Terminal Management and Budget.
Also, pursuant to the requirement set implemented by October 1, 2006). This
Market Inspection Services will not cover all of FPB’s costs. FPB
forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, (RFA), AMS has considered the will need to continue to increase fees in
USDA. economic impact of this action on small order to cover the program’s operating
ACTION: Proposed rule. entities. Accordingly, AMS proposes cost and maintain the required reserve
this initial regulatory flexibility balance. FPB believes that increasing
SUMMARY: This proposed rule would analysis. fees incrementally is appropriate at this
revise the regulations governing the The purpose of the RFA is to fit time. Additional fee increases beyond
inspection and certification for fresh regulatory actions to the scale of FY–2008 will be needed to sustain the
fruits, vegetables and other products by businesses subject to such actions in program in the future. However, we will
increasing certain fees charged for the order that small businesses will not be continue to reduce costs, wherever
inspection of these products at unduly or disproportionately burdened. possible.
destination markets for the next two The proposed action described herein is Employee salaries and benefits are
fiscal years (FY–2007 and FY–2008) by being taken for several reasons, major program costs that account for
approximately 15 percent. These including that additional user fee approximately 80 percent of FPB’s total
revisions are necessary in order to revenues are needed to cover the costs operating budget. A general and locality
recover, as nearly as practicable, the or: (1) Providing current program salary increase for Federal employees,
costs of performing inspection services operations and services: (2) improving ranging from 2.87 to 5.62 percent
at destination markets under the the timeliness in which inspection depending on locality, effective January
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 services are provided; and (3) improving 2006, has significantly increased
(AMA of 1946). The fees charged to the work environment. program costs and will continue to
persons required to have inspection on AMS regularly reviews its user-fee increase costs at a similar rate in future
imported commodities in accordance financed programs to determine if the years. This salary adjustment will
with the Agricultural Marketing fees are adequate. The Fresh Products increase FPB’s costs by over $700,000
Agreement Act of 1937 and for imported Branch (FPB) has and will continue to per year. Increases in health and life
peanuts under section 1308 of the Farm seek out cost saving opportunities and insurance premiums, along with
Security and Rural Investigation Act of implement appropriate changes to workers compensation will also increase
2002. reduce its costs. Such actions can program costs. In addition, inflation also
DATES: Comments must be postmarked, provide alternatives to fee increases. impacts FPB’s non-salary costs. These
courier dated, or sent via the Internet on FPB has reduced costs by approximately factors have increased FPB’s costs of
or before January 2, 2007. $2 million. However, even with these operating this program by over $600,000
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are efforts, FPB’s existing fee schedule will per year.
invited to submit written comments not generate sufficient revenue to cover Additional funds of approximately
concerning this proposal. Comments are program costs while maintaining the $155,000 are necessary in order for FPB
to be sent to the U.S. Department of Agency mandated reserve balance. to continue to cover the costs associated
Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Current revenue projections for FPB’s with additional staff and to maintain
Service, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, destination market inspection work office space and equipment. Additional
Fresh Products Branch, 1400 during FY–2006 are $15.3 million with revenues are also necessary to improve
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Independence Ave., SW., Room 0640–S, costs projected at $20.4 million and an the work environment by providing
Washington, DC 20250–0295, faxed to end-of-year reserve balance of $12.7 training and purchasing needed
(202) 720–5136, sent via e-mail to million. However, this reserve balance equipment. In addition, FPB began in
FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov, or via the is due in part, to appropriated funding 2001, developing (with appropriated
Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. received in October 2001, for funds) the Fresh Electronic Inspection
Comments should make reference to the infrastructure, workplace, and Reporting/Resource System (FEIRS) to

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69498 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 231 / Friday, December 1, 2006 / Proposed Rules

replace its manual paper and pen Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 program costs while maintaining the
inspection reporting process. FEIRS was U.S.C. Chapter 35), the information Agency mandated reserve balance.
implemented in 2004. This system has collection and recordkeeping Current revenue projections for FPB’s
been put in place to enhance and requirements in Part 51 have been destination market inspection work
streamline FPB’s fruit and vegetable approved previously by OMB and during FY–2006 are $15.3 million with
inspection process, however additional assigned OMB No. 0581–0125. FPB has costs projected at $20.4 million and an
revenue is required to maintain FEIRS. not identified any other Federal rules end-of-year reserve balance of $12.7
FPB has also begun to cover the costs which may duplicate, overlap or million. However, this reserve balance
associated with the Training and conflict with this proposed rule. is due in part, to appropriated funding
Development Center (TDC) in The destination market grading received in October 2001, for
Fredericksburg, VA. A portion of the services are voluntary (except when infrastructure, workplace, and
appropriated funds received in October required for imported commodities) and technological improvements. FPB’s
2001 were for infrastructure the fees charged to users of these costs of operating the destination market
improvements including the services vary with usage. However, the program are expected to increase to
development and maintenance of the impact on all businesses, including approximately $21.6 million during FY–
inspector Training and Development small entities, is very similar. Further, 2007 and $22.5 million during FY–2008.
Center. With appropriated funding now even though fees will be raised, the Revenues are projected to be $15.3
depleted, FPB is now obligated to increase is not excessive and should not million for end of the fiscal year. The
support the TDC under revenues from significantly affect these entities. reserve balance for FY–2007 and FY–
the terminal market user fee inspection Finally, except for those persons who 2008, will fall below the Agency’s
program. are required to obtain inspections, most mandated four-month reserve level. The
This proposed rule should increase of these businesses are typically under reserve balance is projected to be $6.5
user fee revenue generated under the no obligation to use these inspection million for FY–2007 (3.6 months) and a
destination market program by services, and, therefore, any decision on negative $584,000 for FY–2008 (¥0.3)
approximately 15 percent. This action is their part to discontinue the use of the months).
authorized under the Agricultural services should not prevent them from Employee salaries and benefits are
Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA of 1946) marketing their products. major program costs that account for
(See 7 U.S.C. 1622(h)), which provides approximately 80 percent of FPB’s total
Executive Order 12988
that the Secretary of Agriculture may operating budget. A general and locality
This proposed rule has been reviewed salary increase for Federal employees,
assess and collect ‘‘such fees as will be
under Executive Order 12988, Civil ranging from 2.87 to 5.62 percent
reasonable and as nearly as may be to
Justice Reform. This action is not depending on locality, effective January
cover the costs of services rendered
intended to have retroactive effect. This 2006, has significantly increased
* * * ’’ There are more than 2,000 users
rule will not preempt any state or local program costs, and will continue to
of FPB’s destination market grading
laws, regulations or policies, unless they increase costs at a similar rate in future
services (including applicants who must
present an irreconcilable conflict with years. This salary adjustment will
meet import requirements 1—
this rule. There are no administrative increase FPB’s costs by over $700,000
inspections which amount to under 2.5
procedures which must be exhausted per year. Increases in health and life
percent of all lot inspections
prior to any judicial challenge to the insurance premiums, along with
performed). A small portion of these
provisions of this rule. workers compensation will also increase
users are small entities under the
Proposed Action program costs. In addition, inflation also
criteria established by the Small
impacts FPB’s non-costs. These factors
Business Administration (13 CFR The AMA of 1946 authorizes official have increased FPB’s costs of operating
121.201). There would be no additional inspection, grading, and certification, on this program by over $600,000 per year.
reporting, recordkeeping, or other a user-fee basis, of fresh fruits, Additional revenues (approximately
compliance requirements imposed upon vegetables and other products such as $155,000) are necessary in order for FPB
small entities as a result of this raw nuts, Christmas trees and flowers. to continue to cover the costs associated
proposed rule. In compliance with the The AMA of 1946 provides that with additional staff and to maintain
1 Section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing
reasonable fees be collected from the office space and equipment. Additional
Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–
users of the services to cover, as nearly revenues are also necessary to continue
674), requires that whenever the Secretary of as practicable, the cost of the services to improve the work environment by
Agriculture issues grade, size, quality or maturity rendered. This proposed rule would providing training and purchasing
regulations under domestic marketing orders for amend the schedule for fees and charges needed equipment. In addition, FPB
certain commodities, the same or comparable
regulations on imports of those commodities must
for inspection services rendered to the began in 2001, developing (with
be issued. Import regulations apply during those fresh fruit and vegetable industry to appropriate funds) an automated system
periods when domestic marketing order reflect the costs necessary to operate the known as FEIRS, to replace its manual
commodities must be issued. Import regulations program. paper and pen inspection reporting
apply during those periods when domestic AMS regularly reviews its user-fee
marketing order regulations are in effect. Section
process. Approximately $10,000 in
1308 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act financed programs to determine if the additional revenue per month will be
of 2002 (Public Law 107–171), 7 U.S.C. 7958, fees are adequate. The Fresh Products needed to maintain the system. This
required USDA among other things to develop new Branch (FPB) has and will continue to system has been put in place to enhance
peanut quality and handling standards for imported seek out cost saving opportunities and
peanuts marketing in the United States.
FPB’s fruit and vegetable inspection
implement appropriate changes to
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Currently, there are 14 commodities subject to 8e


processes. FPB has also begun to cover
import regulations: Avocados, dates (other than reduce its costs. Such actions can the costs associated with the Training
dates for processing), filberts, grapefruit, kiwifruit, provide alternatives to fee increases. and Development Center (TDC) in
olives (other than Spanish-style green olives), FPB has reduced costs by approximately Fredericksburg, VA. A portion of the
onions, oranges, potatoes, prunes, raisins, table
grapes, tomatoes and walnuts. A current listing of
$2 million. However, even with these appropriated funds received in October
the regulated commodities can be found under 7 efforts, FPB’s existing fee schedule will 2001 were for infrastructure
CFR Parts 944, 980, 996, and 999. not generate sufficient revenue to cover improvements including the

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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 231 / Friday, December 1, 2006 / Proposed Rules 69499

development and maintenance of the Based on the aforementioned analysis inspection as found in 7 CFR 51.38.
inspector Training and Development of this program’s increasing costs, AMS Unless otherwise provided for by
Center. With appropriated funding now proposes to increase the fees for regulation or written agreement between
depleted, FPB is now obligated to destination market inspection services. the applicant and the Administrator, the
support the TDC under revenues from The following table compares current charge in the schedule of fees as found
the terminal market user fee inspection fees and charges with the proposed fees in § 51.38 are:
program. and charges for fresh fruit and vegetable

Service Current 2007 2008

Quality and condition inspections of products each in quantities of 51 or more packages and unloaded from the
same land or air conveyance:
—Over a half carlot equivalent of each product ................................................................................................ $114.00 $131.00 $151.00
—Half carlot equivalent or less of each product ................................................................................................ 95.00 109.00 125.00
—For each additional lot of the same product ................................................................................................... 52.00 60.00 69.00
Condition only inspections of products each in quantities of 51 or more packages and unloaded from the same
land or air conveyance:
—Over a half carlot equivalent of each product ................................................................................................ 95.00 109.00 125.00
—Half carlot equivalent or less of each product ................................................................................................ 87.00 100.00 115.00
—For each additional lot of the same product ................................................................................................... 52.00 60.00 69.00
Quality and condition and condition only inspections of products each in quantities of 50 or less packages un-
loaded from the same land or air conveyance:
—For each product ............................................................................................................................................. 52.00 60.00 69.00
—For each additional lot of any of the same product ....................................................................................... 52.00 60.00 69.00
—Lots in excess of carlot equivalents will be charged proportionally by the quarter carlot
Dock side inspections of an individual product unloaded directly from the same ship:
—For each package weighing less than 30 pounds .......................................................................................... 1 2.9 1 3.3 1 3.8

—For each package weighing 30 or more pounds ............................................................................................ 1 4.4 1 5.1 1 5.9

—Minimum charge per individual product .......................................................................................................... 114.00 131.00 151.00


—Minimum charge for each additional lot of the same product ........................................................................ 52.00 60.00 69.00
Hourly rate for inspections performed for other purposes during the grader’s regularly scheduled work week:
—Hourly rate for non-carlot equivalent inspections such as count, size, temperature, container, etc. or work
associated with inspections such as digital image services will be charged at a rate that reflects the cost
of providing the service ................................................................................................................................... 56.00 64.00 74.00
Overtime rate (per hour additional) for all inspections performed outside the grader’s regularly scheduled work
week ....................................................................................................................................................................... 29.00 33.00 38.00
Holiday pay:
Hourly rate for inspections performed under 40 hour contracts during the grader’s regularly scheduled work
week ................................................................................................................................................................ 56.00 64.00 74.00
Rate for billable mileage ..................................................................................................................................... 1.00 1.15 1.32
1 Cents.

A thirty-day comment period is § 51.38 Basis for fees and rates. inspection of products in quantities of
provided for interested persons to (a) When performing inspections of 50 or less packages unloaded from the
comment on this proposed action. Given product unloaded directly from land or same conveyance:
the current financial status of the air transportation, the charges shall be (i) $60 ($69) for each individual
program, thirty days is deemed determined on the following basis: product:
appropriate in order to have any fee (1) Quality and condition inspections (ii) $60 ($69) for each additional lot of
increase, if adopted, to be in place as of products in quantities of 51 or more any of the same product. Lots in excess
close as possible to the beginning of the packages and unloaded from the same of carlot equivalents will be charged
fiscal year 2007. air or land conveyance: proportionally by the quarter carlot.
(i) $131 ($151) for over a half carlot (b) When performing inspections of
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 51 equivalent of an individual product; palletized products unloaded directly
(ii) $109 ($125) for a half carlot from sea transportation or when
Agricultural commodities, Food equivalent or less of an individual palletized product is first offered for
grades and standards, Fruits, Nuts, product; inspection before being transported
Reporting and record keeping (iii) $60 ($69) for each additional lot from the dock-side facility, charges shall
requirements, Trees, Vegetables. of the same product. be determined on the following basis:
(2) Condition only inspection of
For reasons set forth in the preamble, (1) Dock-side inspections of an
products each in quantities of 51 or
7 CFR part 51 is proposed to be individual product unloaded directly
more packages and unloaded from the
amended as follows: from the same ship:
same land or air conveyance:
(i) $109 ($125) for over a half carlot (i) 3.3 (3.8) cents per package
PART 51—[AMENDED] equivalent of an individual product; weighing less than 30 pounds;
(ii) 5.1 (5.9) cents per package
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(ii) $100 ($115) for a half carlot


1. The authority citation for 7 CFR equivalent or less of an individual weighing 30 or more pounds;
Part 51 continues to read as follows: product; (iii) Minimum charge of $131 ($151)
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. (iii) $60 ($69) for each additional lot per individual product;
of the same product. (iv) Minimum charge of $60 ($69) for
2. Section 51.38 is revised to read as (3) For quality and condition each additional lot of the same product
follows: inspection and condition only (2) [Reserved]

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69500 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 231 / Friday, December 1, 2006 / Proposed Rules

(c) When performing inspections of FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Device for the Deaf (TDD) only, contact
products from sea containers unloaded (202) 263–4869.
directly from sea transportation or when 12 CFR Part 205 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
palletized products unloaded directly [Regulation E; Docket No. R–1270]
from sea transportation are not offered I. Statutory Background
for inspection at dock-side, the carlot Electronic Fund Transfers The Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15
fees in ‘‘a’’ of this section shall apply. U.S.C. 1693 et seq.) (EFTA or Act),
(d) When performing inspections for AGENCY: Board of Governors of the enacted in 1978, provides a basic
Government agencies, or for purposes Federal Reserve System. framework establishing the rights,
other than those prescribed in ACTION: Proposed rule; request for liabilities, and responsibilities of
paragraphs (a) through (c) of this public comment. participants in electronic fund transfer
section, including weight-only and (EFT) systems. The EFTA is
freezing-only inspections, fees for SUMMARY: The Board is proposing to implemented by the Board’s Regulation
inspections shall be based on the time amend Regulation E, which implements E (12 CFR part 205). Examples of the
consumed by the grader in connection the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and types of transfers covered by the Act
with such inspections, computed at a the official staff commentary to the and regulation include transfers
rate of $64 ($74) per hour: regulation, which interprets the initiated through an automated teller
Provided, that: requirements of Regulation E. The machine (ATM), point-of-sale (POS)
(1) Charges for time shall be rounded proposed amendments would create an terminal, automated clearinghouse
to the nearest half hour; exception for certain small-dollar (ACH), telephone bill-payment plan, or
(2) The minimum fee shall be two transactions from the requirement that remote banking service. The Act and
hours for weight-only inspections, and terminal receipts be made available to regulation provide for the disclosure of
one-half hour for other inspections; consumers at the time of the transaction. terms and conditions of an EFT service;
(3) When weight certification is DATES: Comments must be received on documentation of EFTs by means of
provided in addition to quality and/or or before January 30, 2007. terminal receipts and periodic account
condition inspection, a one-hour charge ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, activity statements; limitations on
shall be added to the carlot fee; identified by Docket No. R–1270, by any consumer liability for unauthorized
(4) When inspections are performed to of the following methods: transfers; procedures for error
certify product compliance for Defense • Agency Web Site: http:// resolution; and certain rights related to
Personnel Support Centers, the daily or www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the preauthorized EFTs. Further, the Act
weekly charge shall be determined by instructions for submitting comments at and regulation also restrict the
multiplying the total hours consumed to http://www.federalreserve.gov/ unsolicited issuance of ATM cards and
conduct inspections by the hourly rate. generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm. other access devices.
The daily or weekly charge shall be • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// The official staff commentary (12 CFR
prorated among applicants by www.regulations.gov. Follow the part 205 (Supp. I)) interprets the
multiplying the daily or weekly charge instructions for submitting comments. requirements of Regulation E to
by the percentage of product passed • E-mail: facilitate compliance and provides
and/or failed for each applicant during regs.comments@federalreserve.gov. protection from liability under Sections
that day or week. Waiting time and Include the docket number in the 915 and 916 of the EFTA for financial
overtime charges shall be charged subject line of the message. institutions and other persons subject to
directly to the applicant responsible for • FAX: (202) 452–3819 or (202) 452– the Act. 15 U.S.C. 1693m(d)(1). The
their incurrence. 3102. commentary is updated periodically to
(e) When performing inspections at • Mail: Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary, address significant questions that arise.
the request of the applicant during Board of Governors of the Federal
periods which are outside the grader’s II. Background
Reserve System, 20th Street and
regularly scheduled work week, a Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, Historically, consumers have tended
charge for overtime or holiday work DC 20551. to use cash to make small-dollar
shall be made at the rate of $33 ($38) per All public comments are available purchases, for example, to buy food or
hour or portion thereof in addition to from the Board’s Web site at http:// beverages from a vending machine or to
the carlot equivalent fee, package www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/ pay for a subway fare.1 Data from the
charge, or hourly charge specified in foia/ProposedRegs.cfm as submitted, payment card associations indicates,
this subpart. Overtime or holiday unless modified for technical reasons. however, that in certain market
charges for time shall be rounded to the Accordingly, your comments will not be segments, consumers are increasingly
nearest half hour. edited to remove any identifying or using credit and debit cards in place of
(f) When an inspection is delayed cash, even for small-dollar
contact information. Public comments
because product is not available or transactions.2 This shift in consumer
may also be viewed electronically or in
readily accessible, a charge for waiting
paper form in Room MP–500 of the
time shall be made at the prevailing 1 According to one industry estimate, consumers
Board’s Martin Building (20th and C
hourly rate in addition to the carlot spent more than $1 trillion on transactions less than
Streets, NW.) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. $5 in 2003, with an average payment of $3.72. See
equivalent fee, package charge, or
on weekdays. TowerGroup, ‘‘Making Sense from Cents: Trends in
hourly charge specified in this subpart. the Rebirth of Electronic Micropayments’’ (July
Waiting time shall be rounded to the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ky
2004).
Tran-Trong or David A. Stein, Counsels,
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nearest half hour. 2 See ‘‘More and More Consumers Use Visa to
or Vivian W. Wong, Attorney, Division Make Small Purchases,’’ Visa Press Release (August
Dated: November 27, 2006. of Consumer and Community Affairs, 24, 2006) (reporting double digit growth in the use
Lloyd C. Day, Board of Governors of the Federal of payment cards in the first six months of 2006
Administrator, Agriculture Marketing Service. compared to the same period in 2005); ‘‘MasterCard
Reserve System, Washington, DC 20551, PayPass Increases Customer Loyalty and Moves
[FR Doc. E6–20315 Filed 11–30–06; 8:45 am] at (202) 452–2412 or (202) 452–3667. Payments Away From Cash,’’ Master Card Press
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P For users of Telecommunications Release (July 18, 2006). See also TowerGroup,

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