[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13686-13687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03746]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics 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 intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection, the Hemp Production and Disposition 
Inquiry. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the 
size of the target population, sampling design, number of mailings, 
and/or questionnaire length.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 23, 2024 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0270, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     eFax: (855) 838-6382.
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
Richard Hopper, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: Richard Hopper, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336, 
South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph L. Parsons, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-4333. Copies of this information 
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from 
Richard Hopper, NASS--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-2206 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0270.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2024.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an 
Information Collection for 3 years.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production, disposition, and prices. The 2018 
Farm Bill requires USDA to promulgate regulations and guidelines to 
establish and administer a program for the production of hemp in the 
United States.
    As defined in the 2018 Farm Bill, the term ``hemp'' means the plant 
species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the 
seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, 
acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a 
delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent 
on a dry weight basis. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the 
primary intoxicating component of cannabis. Cannabis with a THC level 
exceeding 0.3 percent is considered marijuana, which remains classified 
as a schedule I controlled substance regulated by the Drug Enforcement 
Administration (DEA) under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
    Under the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), Public Law 
113-79, State departments of agriculture and institutions of higher 
education were permitted to produce hemp as part of a pilot program for 
research purposes. The authority for hemp production provided in the 
2014 Farm Bill was extended by the 2018 Farm Bill, which was signed 
into law on December 20, 2018.
    Hemp is a commodity that can be used for numerous industrial and 
horticultural purposes including fabric, paper, construction materials, 
food products, cosmetics, production of cannabinoids (such as 
cannabidiol or CBD), and other products.
    In determining the type of data that would need to be collected and 
the frequency of the data collections, NASS management attended a joint 
meeting with representatives from the USDA's Economic Research Service 
(ERS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Risk Management Agency (RMA), 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and the Office of the Secretary.
    Authority: The data will be collected under the authority of the 
Domestic Hemp Production Program, which is mandated by the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill). In addition, the data will be 
collected under the authority of Title 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually 
identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by 
Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended, 7 U.S.C. 
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), and Office of Management and Budget 
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320.
    All NASS employees and NASS contractors must also fully comply with 
all provisions of the Confidential Information Protection and 
Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, Title III of Public Law 
115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. Ch. 35. CIPSEA supports NASS's pledge of 
confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency's efforts 
to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative 
agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations 
and penalties described in CIPSEA. NASS uses the information only for 
statistical purposes and publishes only tabulated total data.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response. Publicity 
materials and instruction sheets will account for 5 minutes of 
additional burden per respondent.
    Respondents: Farmers and Ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,025.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,600 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information

[[Page 13687]]

on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, technological, or other forms of information 
technology collection methods.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, February 20, 2024.
Joseph L. Parsons,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-03746 Filed 2-22-24; 8:45 am]
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