[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 41 (Friday, March 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 7016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03597]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 41 / Friday, March 1, 2019 / 
Notices  

[[Page 7016]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture Marketing Service

[DOC. NO. AMS-FGIS-19-0003]


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

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) has determined 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 December 31, 2020.

DATES: This notice is applicable beginning July 1, 2019, and remains 
applicable for 18 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise Ruggles, FGIS Executive Program 
Analyst, USDA AMS; Telephone: (816) 659-8406; Email: 
[email protected].

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 Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS) published a notification of the suspension of 
supervision fee assessment on May 24, 2018, which became effective on 
July 1, 2018 (83 FR 24081). The suspension of the supervision fee 
assessment expires on June 30, 2019.
    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 2018. The operating reserve at the end of fiscal year 2018 
was $5,084,246, 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, 2019 (7 CFR 800.71 Schedule B). These fees will remain 
suspended for 18 months, at which time AMS will reassess the operating 
reserve for supervision of official agency inspection and weighing.
    The realignment of offices within the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture authorized by the Secretary's Memorandum dated November 14, 
2017, eliminates the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) as a standalone agency. The grain inspection 
activities formerly part of GIPSA are now organized under AMS.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 71-87k.

    Dated: February 25, 2019.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-03597 Filed 2-28-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P