[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 66957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31276]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[FV-96-353]


Information About Legislative Changes In License Fees Under The 
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document gives notice to the public of changes in the fee 
structure of licenses under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act 
(PACA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: M.A. Clancy, PACA Branch, USDA, AMS, 
F&V Division, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2715-So. Bldg., Washington, D.C., 
20090-6456, 202-720-2814.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law 104-48, the Perishable 
Agricultural Commodities Act Amendments of 1995, signed by President 
Clinton on November 15, 1995, restructured the license fees to be paid 
by PACA licensees. The PACA Amendments of 1995 phases out, over a 3 
year period, annual license fees for retailers and grocery wholesalers, 
and increases the base fee from $400 to $550 for all other licensees 
during that period. The $200 fee for each branch or additional business 
facility, in excess of nine, and the maximum aggregate fee of $4000 
remain unchanged, with the exception for retailers and grocery 
wholesalers noted below.
    During the phase-out period, the new license and annual renewal fee 
for retailers and grocery wholesalers will be as follows:
    A. From November 15, 1995, through November 14, 1996, $400 plus 
$200 for each branch or additional business facility operated by the 
applicant, in excess of nine. In no case shall the aggregate annual 
fees paid by any applicant exceed $4,000.
    B. From November 15, 1996 through November 14, 1997, the annual fee 
will be 75 percent of the aggregate fee paid under paragraph ``A.''
    C. From November 15, 1997 through November 14, 1998, the annual fee 
will be 50 percent of the aggregate fee paid under paragraph ``A.''
    At the end of the 3 year phase-out period, as of November 15, 1998, 
and thereafter, retailer and grocery wholesalers will not be required 
to pay license fees and new retailer and grocery wholesaler applicants 
will pay a one-time administrative fee of $100. Other licensees and new 
applicants will continue to pay $550 plus branch fees, or whatever fee 
is prescribed by the Secretary under rulemaking authority provided in 
the PACA Amendments of 1995 to cover the cost of the PACA program. 
Whether required to pay license fees or not, all licensees will 
continue to be required to file license applications or renewals.

    Dated: December 18, 1995.
Shirley R. Watkins,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-31276 Filed 12-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P