[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5805]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Federal Grain Inspection Service

 

Pilot Programs Allowing More Than One Official Agency To Provide 
Official Services Within A Single Geographic Area

AGENCY: Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS).

ACTION: Notice With Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: Amendments in 1993 changed the United States Grain Standards 
Act, as amended (Act). One of these changes provides that the Federal 
Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) may conduct pilot programs allowing 
more than one official agency to provide official services within a 
single geographic area. FGIS is announcing its intent to conduct one or 
more such pilot programs. FGIS is requesting comments on the specific 
pilot programs described below, and FGIS also is requesting suggestions 
for other possible pilot programs in lieu of or in addition to those 
listed below.
DATES: Comments and suggestions must be postmarked, or sent by 
telecopier (FAX) or electronic mail by April 22, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments and suggestions must be submitted in writing to 
Neil E. Porter, Director, Compliance Division, FGIS, USDA, Room 1647 
South Building, P.O. Box 96454, Washington, DC 20090-6454. SprintMail 
users may respond to [A:ATTMAIL,O:USDA,ID:A36CPDIR]. ATTMAIL and 
FTS2000MAIL users may respond to !A36CPDIR. Telecopier (FAX) users may 
send comments and suggestions to the automatic telecopier machine at 
202-720-1015, attention: Neil E. Porter. All comments and suggestions 
received will be made available for public inspection during regular 
business hours at the above address located at 1400 Independence 
Avenue, S.W.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil E. Porter, telephone 202-720-
8262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Sections 7(f) and 7A of the Act were amended by the U.S. Grain 
Standards Act Amendments of 1993 (Public Law 103-156) on November 24, 
1993, to authorize FGIS' Administrator to conduct pilot programs 
allowing more than one official agency to provide official services 
within a single geographic area without undermining the declared policy 
of the Act. The purpose of the pilot programs is to evaluate the impact 
of allowing more than one official agency to provide official services 
within a single geographic area. FGIS is considering several possible 
pilot programs and may conduct one or more pilot programs. Official 
agencies selected by FGIS to participate in a pilot program would be 
allowed to provide official services in specified areas during the test 
period, and these agencies would provide FGIS with information on such 
official services. Following the pilot programs, FGIS would evaluate 
the impact of allowing more than one official agency to provide service 
within a single geographic area. FGIS is considering the following 
possible pilot programs and may select one or more of these or other 
suggested pilot programs for a test.
    1. Barges on selected rivers or portions of rivers as defined by 
FGIS. Agencies would be allowed to provide official services for barges 
at these locations in addition to the agency already designated to 
serve these locations.
    2. Exceptions. Agencies having exceptions to their assigned 
geographic areas would be allowed to provide official services at these 
specified locations in addition to the official agency already 
designated to serve these points.
    3. Commercial inspection services. Agencies would be allowed to 
provide official commercial inspection services outside their assigned 
geographic areas.
    4. Submitted samples. Agencies would be allowed to enter another 
agency's assigned area to pick up submitted samples.
    5. Timeliness of service. If an official agency can not provide the 
requested services within 12 hours of the request, the applicant may 
request such services from another official agency.
    Commenters are encouraged to submit reasons and pertinent data for 
support or objection to the pilot programs described above. FGIS is 
also requesting suggestions regarding other possible pilot programs in 
addition to or in lieu of those listed above. All comments and 
suggestions must be submitted to the Compliance Division at the above 
address.
    Comments and other available information will be considered in 
determining which pilot programs to conduct. FGIS will publish notice 
of any pilot programs to be conducted.

    Authority: Pub. L. 94-582, 90 Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
71 et seq.)

    Dated: March 3, 1994.
Neil E. Porter,
Director, Compliance Division.
[FR Doc. 94-5805 Filed 3-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-F