Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Agriculture

                    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding: whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received by March 27, 2024. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website                     *www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.*                     Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.                

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

## Agricultural Marketing Service

*Title:*                     Cotton Classification and Market News Service.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     0581-0009.                

*Summary of Collection:*                     The Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, 7 U.S. Code 471-476, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to collect and publish annually statistics or estimates concerning the grades and staple lengths of stocks of cotton. In addition, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) collects, authenticates, publishes, and distributes timely information of the market supply, demand, location, and market prices for cotton (7 U.S.C. 473B). This information is needed and used by all segments of the cotton industry.                

*Need and Use of the Information:*                     AMS will collect information on the quality of cotton in the carryover stocks along with the size or volume of the carryover. Growers use this information in making decisions relative to marketing their present crop and planning for the next one; cotton merchants use the information in marketing decisions; and the mills that provide the data also use the combined data in planning their future purchase to cover their needs. Importers of U.S. cotton use the data in making their plans for purchases of U.S. cotton. AMS                           ( print page 14042)                        and other government agencies are users of the compiled information.                

*Description of Respondents:*                     Business or other for-profit.                

*Number of Respondents:*                     696.                

*Frequency of Responses:*                     Reporting: On occasion; Weekly; Annually.                

*Total Burden Hours:*                     599.                

## Agricultural Marketing Service

*Title:*                     Reporting Forms Under Milk Marketing Order Programs.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     0581-0032.                

*Summary of Collection:*                     Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) oversees the administration of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended. The Act is designed to improve returns to producers while protecting the interests of consumers. The Federal Milk Marketing Order regulations require places certain requirements on the handling of milk in the area it covers. Currently, there are 11 milk marketing orders regulating the handling of milk in the respective marketing areas.                

*Need and Use of the Information:*                     The information collected is needed to administer the classified pricing system and related requirements of each Federal Order. Forms are used for reporting purposes and to establish the quantity of milk received by handlers, the pooling status of the handler, and the class-use of the milk used by the handler and the butterfat content and amounts of other components of the milk. Without the monthly information, the market administrator would not have the information to compute each monthly price nor know if handlers were paying producers on dates prescribed in the order. Penalties are imposed for violation of the order, such as the failure to pay producers by the prescribed dates.                

*Description of Respondents:*                     Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Individuals or households; Farms.                

*Number of Respondents:*                     745.                

*Frequency of Responses:*                     Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Monthly; Annually.                

*Total Burden Hours:*                     28,559.                

## Agricultural Marketing Service

*Title:*                     Specified Commodities Imported Into the United States Exempt From Import Requirements, 7 CFR part 944, 980, and 999.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     0581-0167.                

*Summary of Collection:*                     Section 608e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), requires that whenever the Secretary of Agriculture issues grade, size, quality, or maturity regulations under domestic Federal marketing orders, the same or comparable regulations must be used for imported commodities. Import regulations apply only during those periods when domestic marketing order regulations are in effect. No person may import products for processing or other exempt purposes unless an executed Importers Exempt Commodity Form (SC-6) accompanies the shipment. Both the shipper and receiver are required to register in the Compliance and Enforcement Management System (CEMS) to electronically file an SC-6 certificate to notify the Marketing Order and Agreement Division (MOAD) of the exemption activity. MOAD provides information on its website about the commodities imported under section 8e of the Act and directions to the CEMS portal. The Civil Penalty Stipulation Agreement (SC-7) is a “volunteer” form that provides the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) with an additional tool to obtain resolution of certain cases without the cost of going to a hearing.                

*Need and Use of the Information:*                     The importers wishing to import commodities will use the electronic or paper version of form SC-6, “Importer's Exempt Commodity.” The information collected includes information on the imported product (type of product and lot identification), the importer's contact information, the U.S. Customs entry number, inspection date, and intended use (processing, charity, livestock/animal feed). In a situation where a party is alleged to have violated the importation regulations, AMS can use SC-7, “Civil Penalty Stipulation Agreement” form to settle the matter in exchange for the payment of a fine. AMS utilizes the information to ensure that imported goods destined for exempt outlets are given no less favorable treatment than afforded to domestic goods destined for such exempt outlets. If the information is not collected, AMS would have no way of maintaining a safe and legal import program for fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops, as this is the only method of securing compliance with section 8e of the Act.                

*Description of Respondents:*                     Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.                

*Number of Respondents:*                     79.                

*Frequency of Responses:*                     Reporting: On occasion.                

*Total Burden Hours:*                     581.                

## Agricultural Marketing Service

*Title:*                     Organic Handler Market Promotion Assessment Exemption Under Federal Marketing Orders.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     0581-0216.                

*Summary of Collection:*                     Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for producers of fresh fruit, vegetables, and specialty crops in specified production areas to work together to solve marketing problems that cannot be solved individually. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), marketing orders may authorize production and marketing research, including paid advertising, to promote various commodities, which is paid for by assessments that are levied on the handlers who are regulated by the Orders.                

Section 10004 of the 2014 Farm Bill expanded the organic assessment exemption originally established by the FAIR Act. The 2014 Farm Bill allows all organic handlers to apply for an exemption from assessments on products certified as “organic” or “100 percent organic,” regardless of whether the handler also markets conventional or non-organic products. At the same time, the 2014 Farm bill reduced the per response time to complete the form from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.

*Need and Use of the Information:*                     Handlers submit the completed SC-649 form to the appropriate committee, board or council once a year to apply for an assessment exemption to a certain percentage. The information gathered on this form is necessary to assist the committees, boards and councils to determine an applicant's eligibility assessment exemption and to verify compliance.                

*Description of Respondents:*                     Business or other for-profit; Farms.                

*Number of Respondents:*                     210.                

*Frequency of Responses:*                     Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; Annually.                

*Total Burden Hours:*                     53.                

Levi S. Harrell,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 2024-03854 Filed 2-23-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P