[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22125]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 2014 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 55603]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 63

[Doc. No. AMS-LPS-14-0028]


National Sheep Industry Improvement Center

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as a final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is affirming without 
changes, its interim rule to promulgate rules and regulations as 
provided under the Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). The 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) amends the National Sheep Industry 
Improvement Center (NSIIC) regulations to redesignate the statutory 
authority from the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, amends the definition of Act 
consistent with the redesignated statutory authority, and amends the 
regulations by increasing the administrative cap for the use of the 
fund from 3 percent to 10 percent.

DATES: Effective Date: September 18, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Director, Research 
and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program; Telephone 
202/720-5705; Fax: 202/720-1125; or email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action affirms the interim rule (79 FR 
31843) published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2014, which 
redesignates the statutory authority for the program from section 375 
(7 U.S.C. 2008j) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to 
section 210 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-
1627). In addition, the definition of ``Act'' is amended under section 
63.1 to be consistent with the redesignated statutory authority, and 
amends the regulations by increasing the administrative cap for the use 
of the fund from 3 percent to 10 percent. This section also affirms 
information contained in the interim rule concerning Executive Orders 
12866, 13563, 12988, 13175, 13132, and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Further for this action, the Office 
of Management and Budget has determined that this action is not 
significant under Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been 
reviewed by OMB.

Background Information

    The NSIIC was initially authorized under the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (Act). The Act, as amended, was passed as part of 
the 1996 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 104-127). The initial legislation included 
a provision that privatized the NSIIC 10 years after its ratification 
or once the full appropriation of $50 million was disbursed. 
Subsequently, the NSIIC was privatized on September 30, 2006 (72 FR 
28945).
    In 2008, the NSIIC was re-established under Title XI of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246), also known as 
the 2008 Farm Bill. Section 11009 of the 2008 Farm Bill repealed the 
requirement in section 375(e)(6) of the Act to privatize the NSIIC. 
Additionally, the 2008 Farm Bill provided for $1,000,000 in mandatory 
funding for fiscal year 2008 from the Commodity Credit Corporation for 
the NSIIC to remain available until expended, as well as authorization 
for appropriations in the amount of $10 million for each of fiscal 
years 2008 through 2012. In July 2010, the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) promulgated rules and regulations establishing the 
NSIIC, consistent with the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 
(75 FR 43031). The rule established the NSIIC and a Board that will 
manage and be responsible for the general supervision of the activities 
of the NSIIC, with oversight from the USDA. The NSIIC is authorized to 
use funds to make grants to eligible entities in accordance with a 
strategic plan.
    The authorizing legislation established in the United States 
Department of the Treasury the NSIIC Revolving Fund (Fund). The Fund 
was available to the NSIIC, without fiscal year limitation, to carry 
out the authorized programs and activities of the NSIIC. The law 
provides authority for amounts in the Fund to be used for direct loans, 
loan guarantees, cooperative agreements, equity interests, investments, 
repayable grants, and grants to eligible entities, either directly or 
through an intermediary, in accordance with a strategic plan submitted 
by the NSIIC to the Secretary. In accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill, 
AMS amends the NSIIC regulations at 7 CFR part 63 as provided for 
herein.
    The current program authorizes a grant-only program administered by 
the NSIIC Board. Based on funding, the Board announces that proposals 
may be submitted to the Board for consideration from eligible entities. 
The Board determines how funds are allocated. Proposals submitted to 
the Board must be consistent with the purpose of the NSIIC.

Comments

    On June 3, 2014, USDA published in the Federal Register (79 FR 
31843) an interim rule with a request for comments to be received by 
July 3, 2014. USDA received no comments.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 63

    Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Lamb and Lamb 
products, Goat and Goat products, Consumer Information, Marketing 
agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

PART 63--NATIONAL SHEEP INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT CENTER

0
Accordingly, the interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 63, which was 
published on June 3, 2014, (79 FR 31843), is adopted as a final rule 
without change.

    Dated: September 11, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-22125 Filed 9-16-14; 8:45 am]
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