[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 184 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50752-50753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25465]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

7 CFR Part 457


Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Guaranteed Production Plan of 
Fresh Market Tomato Crop Insurance Provisions

AGENCY: Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) finalizes the 
Guaranteed Production Plan of Fresh Market Tomato Crop Insurance 
Provisions to change the calendar date for the end of the insurance 
period.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective September 22, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louise Narber, Insurance Management 
Specialist, Research and Development, Product Development Division, 
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, United States Department of 
Agriculture, 9435 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, telephone (816) 
926-7730.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This rule has been determined to be exempt for the purpose of 
Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35), there are no information collection requirements 
contained in this rule.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) 
establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the effects of 
their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments and 
the private sector. This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the 
regulatory provisions of title II of UMRA) for State, local, and tribal 
governments or the private sector. Therefore, this rule is not subject 
to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of UMRA.

Executive Order 12612

    It has been determined under section 6(a) of Executive Order 12612, 
Federalism, that this rule does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. The 
provisions contained in this rule will not have a substantial direct 
effect on States or their political subdivisions or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This regulation will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. New provisions included in this 
rule will not impact small entities to a greater extent than large 
entities. The amount of work required of insurance companies delivering 
and servicing these policies will not increase from the amount of work 
currently required. Therefore, this action is determined to be exempt 
from the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605) 
and no Regulatory Flexibility Analysis was prepared.

Federal Assistance Program

    This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance Under No. 10.450.

Executive Order 12372

    This program is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12372 which require intergovernmental consultation with State and local 
officials. See the Notice related to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, 
published at 48 FR 29115, June 24, 1983.

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed in accordance with Executive Order 
12988 on Civil Justice Reform. The provisions of this rule will not 
have a retroactive effect. The provisions of this rule will preempt 
State and local laws to the extent such State and local laws are 
inconsistent herewith. The administrative appeal provisions published 
at 7 CFR part 11 must be exhausted before any action for judicial 
review of any determination made by FCIC may be brought.

Environmental Evaluation

    This action is not expected to have a significant economic impact 
on the quality of the human environment, health, and safety. Therefore, 
neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact 
Statement is needed.

Background

    On Monday, July 20, 1998, FCIC published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking in the Federal Register at 63 FR 38761-38762 to revise 7 CFR 
457.128, Guaranteed Production Plan of Fresh Market Tomato Crop 
Insurance Provisions, effective for the 1999 and succeeding crop years.
    Following publication of the proposed rule, the public was afforded 
30 days to submit written comments and opinions. A total of 3 written 
comments were received from an insurance service organization and 
reinsured companies. All of the comments received agreed with the 
proposed changes made to the regulation.
    Good cause is shown to make this rule effective upon filing for 
public inspection at the Office of the Federal Register. This rule 
revises the calendar date for the end of the insurance period for 
certain states. This rule must be effective prior to the contract 
change dates for which these provisions are effective. The contract 
change date is September 30 preceding the cancellation date in counties 
with a January 15 cancellation date and December 31 preceding the 
cancellation date in all other counties. Therefore, public interest 
requires the Agency to act immediately to make these provisions 
available.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 457

    Crop insurance, Tomatoes.

[[Page 50753]]

Final Rule

    Accordingly, as set forth in the preamble, the Federal Crop 
Insurance Corporation amends the Common Crop Insurance Regulations (7 
CFR part 457) by amending 7 CFR 457.128 as follows:

PART 457--COMMON CROP INSURANCE REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 457 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1506(l), 1506(p).

    2. Section 457.128 paragraph 10(b)(7) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 457.128  Guaranteed Production Plan of Fresh Market Tomato Crop 
Insurance Provisions.

* * * * *
    10. Insurance Period
* * * * *
    (b) *  * *
    (7) October 15 of the crop year in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, 
North Carolina, and Virginia; October 31 of the crop year in 
California; November 10 of the crop year in Florida, Georgia, and South 
Carolina; and September 20 of the crop year in all other states.
* * * * *
    Signed in Washington, D.C., on September 18, 1998.
Kenneth D. Ackerman,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 98-25465 Filed 9-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P