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 Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 7 CFR Part 868
[Docket No. FGIS-2000-002a]
RIN 0580-AA74
 AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.
 ACTION: Proposed rule.
 SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is proposing an approximate 3.7 percent increase in fees for all hourly rates and certain unit rates for inspection services performed under the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946 in the commodity and rice inspection programs. These increases are needed to cover increased operational costs resulting from the mandated January 2001 Federal pay increase.
 DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 2, 2001.
 ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this proposal. Written comments must be submitted to Sharon Vassiliades, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 1647-S, Washington, DC 20250-3604, or faxed to (202) 690-2755. Comments may also be sent by E-mail to: 
                        *comments@gipsadc.usda.gov.*
                         Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. FGIS-2000-002a. Comments will be available for public inspection in the above office during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27 (b)).
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Orr, Director, Field Management Division, at his E-mail address: 
                        *Dorr@gipsadc.usda.gov*, or telephone him at (202) 720-0228.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Executive Order 12866 the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and the Paperwork Reduction Act This rule has been determined to be nonsignificant for the purpose of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. Also, pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, James R. Baker, Administrator, GIPSA, has determined that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 
                    *et seq.*). GIPSA regularly reviews its user-fee programs to determine if the fees are adequate and continues to seek cost saving opportunities and implement appropriate changes to reduce costs. Such actions can provide alternatives to fee increases. Employee salaries and benefits are major program costs that account for approximately 84 percent of GIPSA's total operating budget. A January 2001 general and locality salary increase that averages 3.7 percent for all GIPSA employees will increase program costs in both the commodity and the rice inspection programs. 1. Commodity Inspection Program The commodity inspection program consists of two different programs, 
                    *i.e.*, graded commodities and processed commodities. Fees for these programs are in Tables 1 and 2 of 7 CFR 868.90. These programs serve two different markets: The graded commodity market is made up of producers and processors of edible beans, peas, and lentils. The processed commodity market consists of processors and shippers of products such as wheat flour, soybean meal, vegetable oil, and corn meal. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) implemented program changes during FY 2000 that eliminated requirements for end-item and vessel loading observation inspections for processed commodities. Program changes, including personnel adjustments, have been implemented to begin offsetting operating costs due to the loss of the FSA program inspections. Additional cost-cutting measures will continue in FY 2001. Even with these cost-saving measures, the commodity inspection program will continue to lose funds. In FY 1999, operating costs in the commodity inspection program were $5,951,852 with revenue of $7,190,879 that resulted in a positive margin of $1,239,027 and a positive reserve balance of $1,764,140. As of August 31, 2000, FY 2000 operating costs were $4,835,881 with revenue of $5,065,643 that resulted in a positive margin of $229,762 and a positive reserve of $2,066,752. However, in the last two months, since all FSA program changes have been implemented, we have received $579,274 in revenue and $745,125 in costs that have resulted in a $165,851 negative margin. The salary adjustment will increase GIPSA's costs in the commodity inspection program by approximately $95,000. The current positive margin and reserve balance will not continue due to the loss of processed commodity inspection and the remaining programs in the commodity inspection program cannot absorb the 3.7 percent salary increase even with the planned cost-cutting measures. The proposed fee increase for our graded commodities program applies primarily to GIPSA customers that produce, process, and market graded commodities for the domestic and international markets. There are approximately 156 such customers located primarily in the States of North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Kansas, Colorado, Montana, Texas, Michigan, Nebraska, Minnesota, Washington, Idaho, and California. Many of these customers meet the criteria for small entities established by the Small Business Administration criteria for small businesses. Even though the fees are being increased, the increase will not be excessive (3.7 percent) and should not significantly affect those entities. Those entities are under no obligation to use our service and, therefore, any decision on their part to discontinue the use of our service should not prevent them from marketing their products. 2. Rice Inspection Program The existing fee schedule for GIPSA's rice inspection program will not generate sufficient revenues to cover program costs while maintaining an adequate reserve balance. Fees for this program are in Tables 1 and 2 of 7 CFR 868.91. In FY 1999, GIPSA's operating costs in its Rice Inspection Program were $4,105,564 with revenue of $4,412,131 that resulted in a positive 
                    ( print page 66190)
                    margin of $306,567 and a negative reserve balance of $508,628. As of August 31, 2000, operating costs in the rice program were $3,694,050 with revenue of $4,421,869 that resulted in a positive margin of $727,819 and a positive reserve of $315,391. The current positive reserve balance is well below the desired 3-month reserve of approximately $1 million. We have reviewed the financial position of our rice inspection program based on the increased salary and benefit costs, along with the projected FY 2001 workload. Even though the financial status of the rice inspection program has improved, we have concluded that we cannot absorb the increased costs caused by the 3.7 percent salary increase with the small positive reserve balance. This proposed fee increase will collect an estimated $155,500 in additional revenues in the rice program based on the projected FY 2001 work volume of 3.9 million metric tons. This proposed fee increase applies primarily to GIPSA customers that produce, process, and market rice for the domestic and international markets. There are approximately 550 such customers located primarily in the States of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Many of these customers meet the criteria for small entities established by the Small Business Administration criteria for small businesses. Even though the fees are being increased, the increase will not be excessive (3.7 percent) and should not significantly affect those entities. Those entities are under no obligation to use our service and, therefore, any decision on their part to discontinue the use of our service should not prevent them from marketing their products. There will be no additional reporting or record keeping requirements imposed by this action. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 35), the information collection and record keeping requirements in Part 868 have been previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0580-0013. GIPSA has not identified any other Federal rules which may duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule. B. Executive Order 12988 This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This action is not intended to have a retroactive effect. This action will not preempt any State or local laws, regulations, or policies unless they present irreconcilable conflict with this rule. There are no administrative procedures that must be exhausted prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of this rule. C. Proposed Action Under the provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621, 
                    *et seq.*), commodity and rice inspection services are provided upon request and GIPSA must collect a fee from the customer to cover the cost of providing such services. Section 203 (h) of the AMA (7 U.S.C. 1622 (h)) provides for the establishment and collection of fees that are reasonable and, as nearly as practicable, cover the costs of the services rendered. These fees cover the GIPSA administrative and supervisory costs for the performance of official services, including personnel compensation and benefits, travel, rent, communications, utilities, contractual services, supplies, and equipment. The commodity inspection fees were last amended on December 18, 1996, and became effective February 18, 1997 (61 FR 66533). The rice inspection fees were last amended on March 30, 2000, and became effective May 1, 2000 (65 FR 16787). These fees were to cover, as nearly as practicable, the level of operating costs as projected for FY 1997 and FY 2000, respectively. GIPSA continually monitors its cost, revenue, and operating reserve levels to ensure that there are sufficient resources for operations. During FY 1998, GIPSA implemented cost-saving measures in the rice program in an effort to provide more cost-effective services. The purpose of these measures was to reduce operating costs in order to reduce the negative retained earnings in this program. The cost containment measures included employee buyouts and better cross utilization of personnel between programs. GIPSA regularly reviews its user-fee-financed programs to determine if the fees are adequate and continues to seek out cost-saving opportunities and implement appropriate changes to reduce costs. Such actions can provide alternatives to fee increases. 1. Commodity Inspection Program The commodity inspection program consists of two different programs, graded and processed commodities. Fees for these programs can be found in 7 CFR 868.90 (a), Tables 1 and 2. These programs serve two different markets with different applicants. The graded commodity market is made up of producers and processors of edible beans, peas, and lentils. The processed commodity market consists of processors and shippers of products such as wheat flour, soybean meal, vegetable oil, and corn meal. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) implemented program changes during FY 2000 that has resulted in a 96 percent reduction in processed commodity inspections. The processed commodity inspection program represents approximately 86 percent of all revenue and 62 percent of the cost. Initial program changes, including personnel adjustments, have been implemented to begin offsetting the lost revenue and reduce operating costs. Additional cost-cutting measures will continue in FY 2001. Even with these cost-saving measures, the commodity inspection program will continue to lose funds. In FY 1999, operating costs in the commodity inspection program were $5,951,852 with revenue of $7,190,879 that resulted in a positive margin of $1,239,027 and a positive reserve balance of $1,764,140. As of August 31, 2000, FY 2000 operating costs were $4,835,881 with revenue of $5,065,643 that resulted in a positive margin of $229,762 and a positive reserve of $2,066,752. However, $579,274 in revenue and $745,125 in costs for the preceding two months since all FSA program changes have been implemented, has resulted in a $165,851 negative margin. The salary adjustment will increase GIPSA's costs in the commodity inspection program by approximately $95,000. The current positive margin and reserve balance will not continue due to the loss of processed commodity inspection and the remaining programs in the commodity inspection program cannot absorb the 3.7 percent salary increase even with the planned cost-cutting measures. The costs associated with salaries and benefits are recovered by the hourly rates for personnel performing direct service. Other associated costs, including non-salary related overhead, are collected through other fees contained in the fee schedule and are at levels that do not require any change. GIPSA is proposing a 3.7 percent increase to the hourly rates and certain unit rates in 7 CFR 868.90, (a) Table 1-Hourly Rates (Fees for Inspection of Commodities Other Than Rice). Currently, the regular workday hourly rate is $33.00, while Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays are $42.50. The other current unit rates are: 
                    ( print page 66191) Miscellaneous Processed Commodities: (1) Additional Tests (cost per test, assessed in addition to the hourly rate):(i) Aflatoxin Test (Thin Layer Chromatography)
$51.40(ii) Falling Number
12.00(iii) Aflatoxin Test Kit
7.50Graded Commodities (Beans, Peas, Lentils, Hops, and Pulses):(1) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Beans, Peas, Lentils):(i) Field run (per lot or sample)
22.70(ii) Other than field run (per lot or sample)
13.50(iii) Factor analysis (per factor)
5.50(2) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Hops):(i) Lot or sample (per lot or sample)
29.00(3) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Nongraded Nonprocessed Commodities):(i) Factor analysis (per factor)
5.50(4) Stowage Examination (service—on-request)(i) Ship (per stowage space)
50.00(minimum $250 per ship)(ii) Subsequent ship examination (same as original)(minimum $150 per ship)(iii) Barge (per examination) (minimum $250 per ship)
40.00(iv) All other carriers (per examination)
15.00
 2. Rice Inspection Program The existing fee schedule for GIPSA's rice inspection program will not generate sufficient revenues to cover program costs while maintaining an adequate reserve balance. Fees for this program are in 7 CFR 868.91, Tables 1 and 2. In FY 1999, GIPSA's operating costs in the rice program were $4,105,564 with revenue of $4,412,131 that resulted in a positive margin of $306,567 and a negative reserve balance of $508,628. As of August 31, 2000, operating costs in the rice program were $3,694,050 with revenue of $4,421,869 that resulted in a positive margin of $727,819 and a positive reserve of $315,391. The current positive reserve balance is well below the desired 3-month reserve of approximately $1 million. We have reviewed the financial position of our rice inspection program based on the increased salary and benefit costs, along with the projected FY 2001 workload. Even though the financial status of our rice inspection program has improved, we have concluded that with the small positive reserve balance we cannot absorb the increased costs caused by the 3.7 percent salary increase. This proposed fee increase will collect an estimated $155,500 in additional revenues in the rice program based on the projected FY 2001 work volume of 3.9 million metric tons. In 7 CFR 868.91, Table 1—Hourly Rates/Unit Rate Per CWT and Table 2—Unit Rates, currently the regular workday contract and noncontract fees are $42.80 and $52.40, respectively, while the nonregular workday contract and noncontract fees are $59.60 and $72.40, respectively. The unit rate per hundredweight for export port services is currently $0.052 per hundredweight. The rice current unit rates are: Service
Rough rice
Brown rice for 
                             Processing
Milled riceInspection for quality (per lot, sublot, or sample inspection)
$34.50
$29.80
$21.20Factor analysis for any single factor (per factor):(a) Milling yield (per sample)
26.75
26.75(b) All other factors (per factor)
12.70
12.70
12.70Total oil and free fatty acid

42.00
42.00Interpretive line samples:(a) Milling degree (per set)


89.20(b) Parboiled light (per sample)


22.35Extra copies of certificates (per copy)
3.00
3.00
3.00
 List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 868 Administrative practice and procedure
Agricultural commodities
 For reasons set out in the preamble, 7 CFR part 868 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 868—GENERAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES 1. The authority citation for part 868 continues to read as follows: Authority:
                        Secs. 202-208, 60 Stat. 1087 as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621, 
                            *et seq.*) 2. In § 868.90 paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows: § 868.90
  (a) The fees shown in Table 1 apply to Federal Commodity Inspection Services specified below. Table 1.—Hourly Rates 1 3
[Fees for inspection of commodities other than rice]
Hourly Rates (per service representative):Monday to Friday—$34.20Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays—$44.40Miscellaneous Processed Commodities: 2(1) Additional Tests (cost per test, assessed in addition to the hourly rate):(i) Aflatoxin Test (Thin Layer Chromatography)
$51.40(ii) Falling Number
12.50( print page 66192)(iii) Aflatoxin Test Kit
7.50Graded Commodities (Beans, Peas, Lentils, Hops, and Pulses):(1) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Beans, Peas, Lentils):(i) Field run (per lot or sample)
23.00(ii) Other than field run (per lot or sample)
13.75(iii) Factor analysis (per factor)
5.65(2) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Hops):(i) Lot or sample (per lot or sample)
29.30(3) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Nongraded Nonprocessed Commodities):(i) Factor analysis (per factor)
5.65(3) Stowage Examination (service-on-request) 4(i) Ship (per stowage space) (minimum $252.50 per ship)
50.50(ii) Subsequent ship examinations (same as original)
(5
                                    )(iii) Barge (per examination)
40.50(iv) All other carriers (per examination)
15.501
                                 Fees for original commodity inspection and appeal inspection services include, but are not limited to, sampling, grading, weighing, stowage examinations, pre-inspection conferences, sanitation inspections, and other services requested by the applicant and that are performed within 25 miles of the field office. Travel and related expenses (commercial transportation costs, mileage, and per diem) will be assessed in addition to the hourly rate for service beyond the 25-mile limit. Refer to § 868.92. Explanation of service fees and additional fees, for all other service fees except travel and per diem.2
                                 When performed at a location other than the Commodity Testing Laboratory.3
                                 Faxed and extra copies of certificates will be charged at $1.50 per copy.4
                                 If performed outside of normal business hours, 1
                                1/2
                                 times the applicable unit fee will be charged.5
                                 Minimum $151.50 per ship.
 3. Section 868.91 is revised to read as follows: The fees shown in Tables 1 and 2 apply to Federal rice inspection services. Table 1.—Hourly Rates/Unit Rate Per CWT
[Fees for Federal Rice Inspection Services]
Service 1
Regular workday 
                             (Monday-Saturday)
Nonregular workday 
                             (Sunday-Holiday)Contract (per hour per Service representative)
$44.80
$61.80Noncontract (per hour per Service representative)
54.30
75.00Export Port Services (per hundredweight) 2
.054
.0541
                         Original and appeal inspection services include: Sampling, grading, weighing, and other services requested by the applicant when performed at the applicant's facility.2
                         Services performed at export port locations on lots at rest.
 Table 2.—Unit Rates
Service 1,
                             3
Rough rice
Brown rice for processing
Milled riceInspection for quality (per lot, sublot, or sample inspection)
$34.80
$30.00
$21.50Factor analysis for any single factor (per factor):(a) Milling yield (per sample)
27.00
27.00(b) All other factors (per factor)
12.90
12.90
12.90Total oil and free fatty acid

42.60
42.60Interpretive line samples: 2(a) Milling degree (per set)


91.00(b) Parboiled light (per sample)


22.60Extra copies of certificates (per copy)
3.00
3.00
3.001
                         Fees apply to determinations (original or appeals) for kind, class, grade, factor analysis, equal to type, milling yield, or any other quality designation as defined in the U.S. Standards for Rice or applicable instructions, whether performed singly or in combination at other than at the applicant's facility.2
                         Interpretive line samples may be purchased from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, GIPSA, FGIS, Technical Services Division, 10383 North Executive Hills Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1394. Interpretive line samples also are available for examination at selected FGIS field offices. A list of field offices may be obtained from the Director, Field Management Division, USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 3630, Washington, DC 20250-3630. The interpretive line samples illustrate the lower limit for milling degrees only and the color limit for the factor “Parboiled Light” rice.3
                         Fees for other services not referenced in table 2 will be based on the noncontract hourly rate listed in § 868.90, table 1.
 Dated: October 30, 2000. David Orr, Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.


[FR Doc. 00-28145 Filed 11-2-00; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P