[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 125 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38760-38763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12884]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 932

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-19-0081; SC-19-932-2 FR]


Olives Grown in California; Amendments to the Marketing Order No. 
932

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 932, which 
regulates the handling of olives grown in California. The amendment, 
which was proposed by the California Olive Committee (Committee), was 
approved by producers in a referendum. This action revises the 
marketing order's quorum requirement and makes a clarifying change 
stating that alternate members acting as members to form a quorum would 
also be eligible to cast votes.

DATES: This rule is effective July 29, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Geronimo Quinones, Marketing 
Specialist, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops 
Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, 
DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or 
Email: [email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on complying with this 
regulation by contacting Richard Lower, Marketing Order and Agreement 
Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, 
Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, 
amends regulations issued to carry out a marketing order as defined in 
7 CFR 900.2(j). This rule is issued under Marketing Order No. 932, as 
amended (7 CFR part 932), regulating the handling of olives grown in 
California. Part 932 (referred to as the ``Order'') is effective under 
the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
601-674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.'' Section 608c(17) of 
the Act and the applicable rules of practice and procedure governing 
the formulation of marketing agreements and orders (7 CFR part 900) 
authorize amendment of the Order through this informal rulemaking 
action.
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in 
conformance with Executive Orders 13563 and 13175. This action falls 
within a category of regulatory actions that the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) exempted from Executive Order 12866 review. 
Additionally, because this final rule does not meet the definition of a 
significant regulatory action, it does not trigger the requirements 
contained in Executive Order 13771. See OMB's Memorandum titled 
``Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of 
January 30, 2017, titled `Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs' '' (February 2, 2017).
    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have retroactive effect.
    The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted 
before parties may file suit in court. Under section 8c(15)(A) of the 
Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(15)(A)), any handler subject to an order may file 
with USDA a petition stating that the order, any provision of the 
order, or any obligation imposed in connection with the order is not in 
accordance with the law and request a modification of the order or to 
be exempted therefrom. A handler is afforded the opportunity for a 
hearing on the petition. After the hearing, USDA would rule on the 
petition. The Act provides that the district court of the United States 
in any district in which the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or 
her principal place of business, has jurisdiction to review USDA's 
ruling on the petition, provided an action is filed

[[Page 38761]]

no later than 20 days after the date of entry of the ruling.
    Section 1504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 
(2008 Farm Bill) (Pub. L. 110-246) amended section 8c(17) of the Act (7 
U.S.C. 608c(17)), which in turn required the addition of supplemental 
rules of practice to 7 CFR part 900 (73 FR 49307; August 21, 2008). The 
amendment of section 8c(17) of the Act and additional supplemental 
rules of practice authorize the use of informal rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 
553) to amend Federal fruit, vegetable, and nut marketing agreements 
and orders. USDA may use informal rulemaking to amend marketing orders 
based on the nature and complexity of the proposed amendments, the 
potential regulatory and economic impacts on affected entities, and any 
other relevant matters.
    The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) considered these factors 
and has determined that amending the Order as proposed could 
appropriately be accomplished through informal rulemaking.
    The proposed amendment was unanimously recommended by the Committee 
following deliberations at a public meeting held on July 29, 2019. A 
proposed rule soliciting comments on the amendment was issued on 
November 1, 2019, and published in the Federal Register on November 6, 
2019 (84 FR 59736). No comments were received. As a result, no changes 
to the proposed rule were made. A ``proposed rule and referendum 
order'' was then issued on February 21, 2020, and published in the 
Federal Register on February 27, 2020 (85 FR 11312). This document 
directed that a referendum among California olive producers be 
conducted March 9, 2020, through March 20, 2020, to determine whether 
they favored the proposal. To become effective, the amendment had to be 
approved by two-thirds of producers voting or by those producers voting 
in the referendum who represented at least two-thirds of the volume of 
California olives.
    The amendment was favored by 86 percent of the producers voting and 
by 96 percent of the volume represented in the referendum; both 
calculations exceed the two-thirds requirement.
    The amendment in this final rule changes the Committee's quorum 
requirements. The amendment also makes a clarifying change that 
alternate members acting as members to form a quorum would also be 
eligible to cast votes.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), AMS has considered the 
economic impact of this action on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has 
prepared this final regulatory flexibility analysis.
    The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of 
businesses subject to such actions in order that small businesses will 
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued 
pursuant to the Act, and rules issued thereunder, are unique in that 
they are brought about through group action of essentially small 
entities acting on their own behalf.
    There are approximately 900 producers of olives in the production 
area and two handlers subject to regulation under the Order. The Small 
Business Administration (SBA) defines small agricultural producers as 
those having annual receipts of less than $1,000,000, and small 
agricultural service firms as those whose annual receipts are less than 
$30,000,000 (13 CFR 121.201).
    According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 
data, as of June 2019 the average price to producers for the 2018 crop 
year was $766.00 per ton, and total assessable volume for the 2018 crop 
year was 17,953 tons. Based on production, the total number of 
California olive producers, and price paid to those producers, the 
average annual producer revenue is less than $1,000,000 ($766.00 times 
17,953 tons equals $13,751,998 divided by 900 producers equals an 
average annual producer revenue of $15,280.00). Therefore, most olive 
producers may be classified as small entities. Both handlers may be 
classified as large entities under the SBA's definitions because their 
annual receipts are greater than $30,000,000.
    The amendment, which was unanimously recommended by the Committee 
at a public meeting on July 29, 2019, will change the Committee's 
quorum requirement. A clarifying change stating that alternate members 
acting as members to form a quorum would be eligible to cast votes will 
also be made.
    This amendment will have no direct economic effect on producers or 
handlers. The number of producers and handlers operating in the 
industry has decreased significantly since the Order was established in 
1965, dropping from 2,500 to 900 (64 percent) and from 28 to 2 (93 
percent), respectively. Industry consolidation has made it difficult to 
find enough members to fill positions on the Committee.
    The Committee considered alternatives to the proposal, including 
making no changes. AMS believes the proposal is justified and necessary 
to ensure the Committee's ability to locally administer the program. 
Revising the quorum requirement, will help ensure a more efficient and 
orderly flow of business.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35), the Order's information collection requirements have been 
previously approved by OMB and assigned OMB No. 0581-0178 Vegetable and 
Specialty Crops. No changes in those requirements are necessary as a 
result of this action. Should any changes become necessary, they would 
be submitted to OMB for approval.
    As with all Federal marketing order programs, reports and forms are 
periodically reviewed to reduce information requirements and 
duplication by industry and public sector agencies. In addition, USDA 
has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, 
or conflict with this rule.
    AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote 
the use of the internet and other information technologies to provide 
increased opportunities for citizens to access Government information 
and services, and for other purposes.
    The Committee's meetings were widely publicized throughout the 
California olive production area. All interested persons were invited 
to attend the meetings and encouraged to participate in Committee 
deliberations on all issues. The Committee meetings were public, and 
all entities, both large and small, were encouraged to express their 
views on these proposals.
    A proposed rule concerning this action was published in the Federal 
Register on November 6, 2019 (84 FR 59736). Copies of the proposed rule 
were mailed or sent via facsimile to all Committee members and all 
interested parties. The proposed rule was made available through the 
internet by USDA and the Office of the Federal Register. A 30-day 
comment period ending December 6, 2019, was provided to allow 
interested persons to respond to the proposals. No comments were 
received; therefore, no changes were made to the proposed amendment.
    A proposed rule and referendum order was then issued on February 
21, 2020, and published in the Federal Register on February 27, 2020 
(85 FR

[[Page 38762]]

11312). This document directed that a referendum among California olive 
producers be conducted March 9, 2020, through March 20, 2020, to 
determine whether they favored the proposal. To become effective, the 
amendment had to be approved by two-thirds of producers voting or by 
those producers voting in the referendum who represented at least two-
thirds of the volume of California olives.
    The amendment was favored by 86 percent of the producers voting and 
by 96 percent of the volume represented; both exceeding the two-thirds 
requirement.
    The amended marketing agreement was subsequently mailed to all 
olive handlers in the production area for their approval. The marketing 
agreement was not approved by handlers representing more than 50 
percent of the volume of olives handled by all handlers during the 
representative period. Consequently, no companion handler agreement 
will be established.
    A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and 
specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at: 
https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses. Any 
questions about the compliance guide should be sent to Richard Lower at 
his previously mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.

Order Amending the Order Regulating the Olives Grown in the California 
\1\
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    \1\ This order shall not become effective unless and until the 
requirements of Sec.  900.14 of the rules of practice and procedure 
governing proceedings to formulate marketing agreements and 
marketing orders have been met.
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Findings and Determinations

    (a) Findings and Determinations Upon the Basis of the Rulemaking 
Record.
    The findings hereinafter set forth are supplementary to the 
findings and determinations which were previously made in connection 
with the issuance of the Order; and all said previous findings and 
determinations are hereby ratified and affirmed, except insofar as such 
findings and determinations may be in conflict with the findings and 
determinations set forth herein.
    1. The Order, as amended, and as hereby further amended, and all of 
the terms and conditions thereof, would tend to effectuate the declared 
policy of the Act;
    2. The Order, as amended, and as hereby further amended, regulates 
the handling of olives grown in California in the same manner as, and 
is applicable only to, persons in the respective classes of commercial 
and industrial activity specified in the Order;
    3. The Order, as amended, and as hereby further amended, is limited 
in application to the smallest regional production area that is 
practicable, consistent with carrying out the declared policy of the 
Act, and the issuance of several orders applicable to subdivisions of 
the production area would not effectively carry out the declared policy 
of the Act;
    4. The Order, as amended, and as hereby further amended, 
prescribes, insofar as practicable, such different terms applicable to 
different parts of the production area as are necessary to give due 
recognition to the differences in the production and marketing of 
olives produced in the production area; and
    5. All handling of olives produced in the production area as 
defined in the Order is in the current of interstate or foreign 
commerce or directly burdens, obstructs, or affects such commerce.
    (b) Determinations.
    It is hereby determined that:
    1. Handlers (excluding cooperative associations of producers who 
are not engaged in processing, distributing, or shipping of olives 
covered under the Order) who during the period August 1, 2018, through 
July 31, 2019, handled not less than 50 percent of the volume of such 
olives covered by said Order, as hereby amended, have signed an amended 
marketing agreement; and
    2. The issuance of this amendatory order, further amending the 
aforesaid Order, is favored or approved by at least two-thirds of the 
producers who participated in a referendum on the question of approval 
and who, during the period of August 1, 2018, through July 31, 2019, 
were engaged within the production area in the production of such 
olives. Such producers also produced for market at least two-thirds of 
the volume of such commodity represented in the referendum.
    3. The issuance of this amendatory order together with a signed 
marketing agreement advances the interests of growers of olives in the 
production area pursuant to the declared policy of the Act.

Order Relative to Handling

    It is therefore ordered, that on and after the effective date 
hereof, all handling of olives grown in California shall be in 
conformity to, and in compliance with, the terms and conditions of the 
said Order as hereby proposed to be amended as follows:
    The provisions amending the Order contained in the proposed rule 
issued by the Administrator on November 1, 2019, and published in the 
Federal Register on November 6, 2019, (84 FR 59736) will be and are the 
terms and provisions of this order amending the Order and are set forth 
in full herein.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 932

    Olives, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

PART 932--OLIVES GROWN IN CALIFORNIA

0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 932 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 601-674.


Sec.  932.36  [Amended]

0
2. Revise Sec.  932.36 to read as follows:


Sec.  932.36  Procedure.

    Decisions of the committee shall be by majority vote of the 
members, including alternates acting as members, present and voting, 
and a quorum must be present: Provided, That decisions requiring a 
recommendation to the Secretary on matters pertaining to grade and size 
regulations shall require at least 10 affirmative votes, at least 5 of 
which must be from producer members and at least 5 of which must be 
from handler members and, if the committee is increased by the addition 
of a public member, at least 11 affirmative votes shall be required, at 
least 5 of which must be from producer members and at least 5 of which 
must be from handler members. A quorum shall consist of at least 10 
members, including alternates acting as members, and, if the committee 
is increased by the addition of a public member, a quorum shall consist 
of at least 11 members, including alternates acting as members. Except 
in case of an emergency, a minimum of 5 days advance notice shall be 
given with respect to any meeting of the committee. In case of an 
emergency, to be determined within the discretion of the chairman of 
the committee, as much advance notice of a meeting as is practicable in 
the circumstances shall be given. The committee may vote by mail or 
telegram upon due notice to all members, but any proposition to be so 
voted upon first shall be explained accurately, fully, and identically 
by mail or telegram to all members. When voted on by such method, at 
least 14 affirmative votes, of which seven shall be producer member 
votes and seven shall be handler member votes, shall be required for 
adoption and, if the committee is increased by the addition of a public 
member, votes by mail or

[[Page 38763]]

telegram shall require at least 15 affirmative votes, of which at least 
7 shall be producer member votes and at least 7 shall be handler member 
votes. The committee may recommend for the Secretary's approval changes 
in the number of affirmative votes required for adoption of any 
proposition voted upon by means of a mail or telegram ballot: Provided, 
That the number of affirmative votes required for adoption shall not be 
less than 10, and in any case an equal number of producer member and 
handler member votes shall be required for adoption and, if the 
committee is increased by the addition of a public member, the number 
of affirmative votes required for adoption shall be increased by 1.

[FR Doc. 2020-12884 Filed 6-26-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P