[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 101 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24081-24082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11086]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Notice of Continued Suspension of Supervision Fee Assessment 
Under the United States Grain Standards Act

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) has determined that the suspension of the assessment of 
fees for supervision of official inspection and weighing services 
performed by delegated States and/or designated agencies under the 
United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) will continue through June 
30, 2019.

DATES: This notice is applicable beginning July 1, 2018, and remains 
applicable for one year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise Ruggles, USDA-AMS-FGIS-ODA; 
Telephone: (816) 659-8406; Email: [email protected].
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact 
the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 
2015, Public Law 114-54, amended the USGSA (7 U.S.C. 71-87k) to require 
AMS to adjust fees for the supervision of official grain inspection and 
weighing in order to maintain an operating reserve of not less than 3 
and not more than 6 months (7 U.S.C. 79(j)(4)).
    The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) 
published a notification of the suspension of supervision fee 
assessment on June 12, 2017, which became effective on July 1, 2017 (82 
FR 26843). The realignment of offices within the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture authorized by the Secretary's Memorandum dated November 14, 
2017, eliminates GIPSA as a standalone agency. The grain inspection 
activities formerly part of GIPSA are now organized under AMS.
    In order to maintain an operating reserve not less than 3 and not 
more than 6 months, AMS reviewed the operating reserve at the end of 
fiscal year 2017. The supervision of official inspection and weighing 
program-

[[Page 24082]]

operating reserve at the end of fiscal year 2017 was $6,950,142, which 
continues to exceed 6 months by a significant margin.
    Accordingly, AMS is issuing this notice to announce the suspension 
of the fee for supervision of official inspection and weighing services 
of domestic grain and land carriers to Canada and Mexico performed by 
delegated States and/or designated agencies. According to the 
regulations under the USGSA, AMS may suspend any provision of the 
regulations in emergencies or other circumstances, which would not 
impair the objectives of the USGSA (7 CFR 800.2). AMS has determined 
that suspending supervision fees will not impair the objectives of the 
USGSA because the operating reserve for supervision services is 
sufficient to maintain the service without additional funds.
    AMS will continue the suspension of the assessment fee of $0.011 
per metric ton on domestic shipments officially inspected and/or 
weighed, including land carrier shipments to Canada and Mexico, 
performed by delegated States and/or designated agencies on or after 
July 1, 2018 (7 CFR 800.71 Schedule B). These fees will remain 
suspended for one year, at which time AMS will reassess the operating 
reserve for supervision of official agency inspection and weighing.

    Dated: May 18, 2018.
Greg Ibach,
Under Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2018-11086 Filed 5-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P