[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 240 (Friday, December 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86873-86874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27534]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 240 / Friday, December 15, 2023 / 
Notices  

[[Page 86873]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-23-0069]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
an extension of and revision to the currently approved information 
collection 0581-0268 for the Christmas Tree Promotion, Research and 
Information Program.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 13, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice. All comments must be submitted through the 
Federal e-rulemaking portal at https://www.regulations.gov and should 
reference the document number and the date and page number of this 
issue of the Federal Register. All comments submitted in response to 
this notice will be included in the rulemaking record and will be made 
available to the public. The identity of the individuals or entities 
submitting comments will be made public on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie Cook, Marketing Specialist at 
telephone: (202) 720-8085, or electronic mail: [email protected], or 
Sarah Richardson, Marketing Specialist at telephone: 202-720-8085 
electronic mail: [email protected], Market Development 
Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406-S, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0244.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Program.
    OMB Number: 0581-0268.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2024.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information 
program was created to help strengthen the position of Christmas trees 
in the marketplace, and maintain, develop, and expand markets for 
Christmas trees in the United States. The Christmas Tree Promotion, 
Research, and Information Order (Order) (7 CFR part 1214) is authorized 
under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 
(1996 Act) (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425).
    The Order was implemented November 2011, and immediately stayed. 
The stay was lifted on April 7, 2014, in accordance with the provisions 
of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). Currently, the 
Christmas tree program is administered by the Christmas Tree Promotion 
Board (Board) which is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and 
financed by a mandatory assessment on producers and importers of fresh 
cut Christmas trees. The assessment rate is $0.15 per Christmas tree 
cut and sold domestically or imported into the United States. The 
program provides an exemption for producers and importers that cut and 
sell or import fewer than 500 Christmas trees annually. In 2019, a 
referendum was held among eligible producers and importers to determine 
whether they favor continuation of the program. Fifty-five percent of 
Christmas tree producers and importers who voted were in favor of 
continuing the program, and therefore, the program continues to help 
maintain and expand markets for Christmas trees.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the Order and the 1996 Act. The 
objective in carrying out this responsibility includes assuring the 
following: (1) funds are collected and properly accounted for; (2) 
expenditures of all funds are for the purposes authorized by the 1996 
Act and Order; and (3) the board's administration of the programs 
conforms to USDA policy.
    The Order's provisions have been carefully reviewed and every 
effort has been made to minimize any unnecessary recordkeeping costs or 
requirements, including efforts to utilize information already 
submitted under other Christmas tree programs administered by USDA and 
other State programs.
    The forms covered under this collection require the minimum 
information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the 
program. Such information can be supplied without data processing 
equipment or outside technical expertise. In addition, there are no 
additional training requirements for individuals filling out reports 
and remitting assessments to the Board. The forms are simple, easy to 
understand, and place as small a burden as possible on the person 
required to file the information.
    Collecting information yearly would coincide with normal industry 
business practices. The timing and frequency of collecting information 
are intended to meet the needs of the industry while minimizing the 
amount of work necessary to fill out the required reports. The 
requirement to keep records for two years beyond the fiscal period of 
their applicability is consistent with normal industry practices. In 
addition, the information to be included on these forms is not 
available from other sources because such information relates 
specifically to individual producers and importers who will be subject 
to the provisions of the Order and 1996 Act. Therefore, there is no 
practical method for collecting the required information without the 
use of these forms.
    AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, which 
requires Government agencies in general to provide the public the 
option of submitting information or transacting business electronically 
to the maximum extent possible.
    Estimate of Burden: Public recordkeeping burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.43 hour per response.
    Respondents: Producers and importers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.

[[Page 86874]]

    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 9,143.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.83.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,956 hours.
    The Board utilizes a variety of forms including domestic sales 
report and importer sales report; application for exemption; nomination 
form and ballot form; reimbursement of assessments and refund 
application forms; donation form; and recordkeeping requirements. The 
forms and information covered under this information collection require 
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements 
of the program and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the 
applicable authority. Lastly, the board is always looking to provide 
electronic versions of the forms for easier access and submission.
    Forms were updated to add a box to allow respondents to include 
both mailing and physical addresses, if they differ. This change allows 
Board staff to better record contact information for producers and 
importers. ``Domestic Sales Report'', ``Importer Sales Report'', and 
``Application for Exemption'' were all updated to add this additional 
box. Forms requesting a fax number from respondents were revised to 
remove the box due to the expanded use of electronic mail.
    Comments are invited on: (1) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    All responses to this document will be summarized and included in 
the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agriculture Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-27534 Filed 12-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P