[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15027-15032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6910]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 22, 1995 / 
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 15027]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1220

[No. LS-94-006]
RIN 0581-AB30


Soybean Promotion and Research Program: Procedures for the 
Conduct of a Producer Poll

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer 
Information Act (Act), a poll will be conducted among eligible soybean 
producers to determine whether they support the conduct of a refund 
referendum on the continuance of the payment of refunds under the 
Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order). This final rule 
establishes the procedures for conducting the required producer poll.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 22, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph L. Tapp, Chief; Marketing 
Programs Branch; Livestock and Seed Division; Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS), USDA, room 2624-S; PO Box 96456; Washington, DC 20090-
6456. Telephone number 202/720-1115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Prior document in this proceeding: Proposed Rule--Soybean Promotion 
and Research Program: Procedures for the Conduct of a Producer Poll 
published October 18, 1994 (59 FR 52475).

Executive Orders 12866 and 12778 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of Agriculture is issuing this rule in conformance 
with Executive Order 12866.
    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778, 
Civil Justice Reform. It is not intended to have a retroactive effect.
    The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted 
before parties may file suit in court. Under Sec. 1971 of the Act, a 
person subject to the Order may file with the Secretary 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 law, and 
requesting a modification of the Order or an exemption from the Order. 
The Act provides that a petitioner is to be given the opportunity for a 
hearing on the petition, and that the Secretary is to rule on the 
petition after such hearing. The District Court of the United States in 
any district in which the petitioner resides or carries on business has 
jurisdiction to review the Secretary's ruling if the petitioner files a 
complaint seeking review not later than 20 days after the date of the 
entry of the ruling.
    Section 1974 of the Act also provides, with certain exceptions, 
that nothing in the Act may be construed to preempt or supersede any 
other program relating to soybean promotion, research, consumer 
information, or industry information organized and operated under the 
laws of the United States or any State. One exception concerns 
assessments collected by Qualified State Soybean Boards. To ensure 
adequate funding of the operations of Qualified State Soybean Boards 
under the Act, no State law or regulation may limit or have the effect 
of limiting the full amount of assessments that a Qualified State 
Soybean Board in that State may collect and which is authorized to be 
credited under the Act. Another exception concerns certain referenda 
conducted by a State during specified periods relating to the 
continuation or termination of a Qualified State Soybean Board or State 
soybean assessment.
    This final rule establishes procedures for the conduct of a 
producer poll. It provides to all eligible soybean producers the 
opportunity to request that the Secretary conduct a refund referendum 
on the continuance of the payment of refunds under the Order. 
Participation in the poll is voluntary. The Administrator of AMS has 
determined that this final rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small business entities.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, the 
information collection requirements contained in this final rule have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). They have 
been assigned OMB control number 0581-0093. The information collection 
requirements in this final rule include the following:
    (a) In-person requests to conduct a refund referendum: Each person 
who wants to request that the Secretary conduct a refund referendum 
must ask the appropriate county Consolidated Farm Service Agency (CFSA) 
office to enter his or her name and address on Form LS-51, ``Producer 
Poll on Refund Referendum Request List.'' Each person must read the 
Certification Statement at the top of the form and sign it certifying 
that he or she meets the eligibility requirements. The estimated 
average time burden for completing the procedure is 5 minutes per 
person.
    (b) Absentee requests to conduct a refund referendum: Each person 
who wants to request that the Secretary conduct a refund referendum 
must write or go to the appropriate county CFSA office and ask for Form 
LS-53. The CFSA office will provide the form by mail. The requester 
must then complete Form LS-53, ``Producer Poll Refund Referendum--
Absentee Request.'' Form LS-53 is a self-mailer. The person making a 
request must read and sign the form, fold the form so that the CFSA 
address is visible, and tape the form closed. The form may be returned 
by mail by affixing a stamp or may be returned in person. The estimated 
average time burden for completing the procedure is 5 minutes per 
person.
    (c) The final rule contains a requirement that the county CFSA 
office list the names and addresses of each person requesting Form LS-
53 (Absentee Request), the date of the request, and the date the 
completed form was received by the CFSA office. The Department needs 
this information in order to prepare a list of persons making a request 
in the producer poll and to make the list available to interested 
parties. This information can also be used to validate requests and to 
challenge potentially ineligible persons. Each county CFSA office will 
fill out one or more Form LS-52 ``Absentee Request List.'' The 
estimated average reporting burden will depend on the 
[[Page 15028]] number of requests. We estimate that 75,000 to 100,000 
producers, including in-person and absentee, will request that the 
Secretary conduct a refund referendum, with each producer making one 
request.

Background

    The Act (7 U.S.C. 6301-6311) provides for the establishment of a 
coordinated program of promotion and research designed to strengthen 
the soybean industry's position in the marketplace, and to maintain and 
expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for soybeans and soybean 
products. The program is financed by an assessment of 0.5 of one 
percent of the net market price of soybeans sold by producers. Pursuant 
to the Act, an Order was made effective July 9, 1991, and the 
collection of assessments began September 1, 1991.
    The Act requires that a referendum be conducted no earlier than 18 
months and no later than 36 months after the issuance of the Order to 
determine whether the Order should be continued.
    The required initial referendum was conducted on February 9, 1994. 
Of the 85,606 valid ballots cast, 46,060 (53.8 percent) were in favor 
of continuing the Order, and the remaining 39,546 votes (46.2 percent) 
were against continuing the Order. The Act requires approval by a 
simple majority for the Order to continue.
    The Act also requires that within 18 months after the Secretary 
announces the results of the referendum, the Secretary conduct a poll 
of producers to determine if producers support the conducting of a 
referendum on the continuance of the payment of refunds under the 
Order. The Secretary announced the results of the referendum on April 
1, 1994. Therefore, the producer poll must be held before October 1, 
1995.
    For purposes of the poll, the Secretary will use data from the 1992 
Census of Agriculture to determine the total number of producers. The 
census shows that 381,000 farms produce soybeans. Therefore, for 
purposes of the poll, the total number of soybean producers will be 
381,000.
    If, based on the poll, the Secretary determines that at least 20 
percent (not in excess of one-fifth of which may be producers in any 
one State) of the approximately 381,000 producers nationwide support 
the conducting of a refund referendum, the Secretary must conduct a 
refund referendum within 1 year of that determination.
    If, based on the poll, the Secretary determines that less than 20 
percent (not in excess of one-fifth of which may be producers in any 
one State) of the approximately 381,000 producers nationwide support 
the conducting of a refund referendum, it will not be conducted and 
refunds will be discontinued.
    The Act specifies that the producer poll shall be conducted for a 
period established by the Secretary. Eligible persons must both certify 
that they were engaged in the production of soybeans during a 
representative period specified by the Secretary and indicate that they 
support the conducting of a refund referendum.
    The Secretary has determined that the producer poll shall be 
conducted on 1 day. That date will be announced in a Notice published 
in the Federal Register and as specified in Sec. 1220.711. The Act also 
provides that producers may participate in the poll in person at county 
Extension (now Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service) offices or county Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation 
Service (now Consolidated Farm Service Agency) offices or by mail-in 
requests. Conducting the poll at county CFSA offices and providing for 
mail-in requests will provide the greatest opportunity for those 
producers who wish to indicate that they support the conducting of a 
refund referendum.
    On October 18, 1994, AMS published in the Federal Register (59 FR 
52475) a proposed rule setting forth the procedures to be followed in 
conducting the producer poll under the Act. The proposed rule included 
provisions concerning definitions, supervision of the producer poll, 
certification and request procedures, reporting poll results, and 
disposition of records. It also proposed that CFSA of the Department 
coordinate State and county CFSA roles in conducting the poll.
    The proposed rule was published with a request for comments to be 
submitted by November 17, 1994.
    The Department received nine written comments. One from the United 
Soybean Board, five from State soybean organizations and three from 
individual soybean producers. The commenters generally supported the 
procedures for the conduct of the poll with certain qualifications.
    The changes suggested by commenters are discussed below, together 
with a description of changes made by the Department upon review of the 
proposed procedures for the conduct of a producer poll. The Department 
has made other minor changes of a nonsubstantive nature for clarity and 
accuracy. Due to the recent reorganization of USDA, all references in 
the proposed rule to ``Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation 
Service (ASCS)'' have been changed in this final rule and in the 
discussion below to ``Consolidated Farm Service Agency (CFSA),'' and 
references to ``Cooperative Extension Service (CES)'' have been changed 
to ``Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service 
(CSREES).'' For the reader's convenience, the discussion is organized 
by the same topic headings in the proposed rule.


Sec. 1220.717  General.

    Regarding Sec. 1220.717(b), two commenters suggested that the poll 
be conducted at county Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Offices (now 
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES)) 
because the Act requires that referenda be conducted at CSREES offices 
and to do otherwise would tend to cause confusion among producers. The 
poll is not a referendum. It is an opportunity for producers to request 
a referendum, and only those producers who want to request a refund 
referendum will participate in the poll. Therefore, we believe that the 
use of CFSA offices is the most economical and efficient place for 
conducting the poll. If the poll shows that producers favor a refund 
referendum, it (as well as any future referenda) will be conducted at 
county CSREES offices as provided in the Act. Accordingly, we have not 
adopted this suggestion in this final rule.
    Regarding Sec. 1220.717 (c) and (d), the commenters suggested that, 
because the outcome of the poll is determined by 20 percent (not in 
excess of one-fifth of which may be producers in any one State) of all 
producers, the rule should include the total number of soybean 
producers that would be used to determine the outcome of the poll. This 
is a valid suggestion. Accordingly, we have added subsection (e) as 
follows: ``For purposes of subsections (c) and (d), the total number of 
producers is 381,000.''


Sec. 1220.720  Time and place for requesting a refund referendum.

    Two commenters suggested extending the in-person portion of the 
poll to three consecutive days and one commenter suggested extending it 
to two days. The commenters believe that giving more time for the in-
person poll would provide a greater opportunity for producers to 
participate in the poll. We share the commenters' concern that 
producers have ample opportunity to participate in the poll; however, 
we believe that the provision for a 4-week absentee period will give 
all those who wish to participate in the poll a chance 
[[Page 15029]] to do so. Therefore, this suggestion is not adopted.


Sec. 1220.723  Certification and request procedure.

    Regarding Sec. 1220.723(b), two commenters suggested that eligible 
producers be allowed to request Form LS-53 (absentee request) by 
telephone. We have determined that restricting requests to in-person 
and mail-in--where the producer is required to write his or her name 
and address--lessens the likelihood that a request would go unfilled 
because the required information was not accurately recorded by the 
person answering the telephone. Accordingly, this suggestion is not 
adopted.
    Regarding Sec. 1220.723(b)(4), two commenters wrote that the Act 
provides that to be considered, absentee requests (Forms LS-53) must be 
postmarked no later than the end of the period established under clause 
(i) for in-person requests. They assert that the postmark is the 
relevant date and should be the end of the period for in-person 
requests. We agree that the postmark is the relevant date and that the 
Act specifies that the date be no later than the end of the period for 
in-person requests. The date can, however, be earlier, and we have 
required that absentee requests be postmarked no later than the end of 
the period for absentee requests. This earlier cut-off date is 
necessary to ensure that county CFSA offices receive absentee requests 
in time to allow those requesters' names to be posted for public 
viewing. Challenges to a person's eligibility to make a request must be 
made no later than the 2nd day after the in-person polling date. 
Accordingly, we have adopted a part of the suggestion and amended this 
section to require that absentee requests be postmarked on or before 
the last day of the absentee polling period.


Sec. 1220.725  Challenge of eligibility.

    Regarding Sec. 1220.725(e), two commenters were concerned that 
there is no provision for an appeal, by a person challenging a 
producer's eligibility, of the county CFSA committee's determination 
that the producer is eligible. When a person challenges another's 
eligibility, the CFSA county committee, acting on behalf of the 
Administrator of AMS for purposes of conducting the poll, determines 
whether the official records indicate that the challenged person is 
eligible. If the records so indicate, the CFSA county committee 
resolves the challenge in favor of eligibility. If the records do not 
so indicate, the challenged person is notified of his or her right of 
appeal and to provide proof of eligibility to the CFSA county 
committee. Since the CFSA county committee's determination is based on 
official records, this suggestion is not adopted.


Sec. 1220.726  Canvassing request lists.

    Regarding Sec. 1220.726, two commenters were concerned that the 
canvassing procedures in this subsection do not conform with the 
canvassing procedures set out for the initial referendum. The 
canvassing referred to in the initial referendum rule pertained to the 
county CSREES offices transferring ballots to the county CFSA offices 
and verifying that each ballot transferred was recorded on the list of 
voters. The canvassing referred to in this rule pertains to the review 
and tabulation of the poll results, which would take place on the 10th 
business day following the in-person polling date. The commenters' 
concern that eligibility be determined in a timely manner is addressed 
in Sec. 1220.725 and will be addressed in the detailed instructions 
provided to the county CFSA offices. All properly completed requests 
are deemed valid until challenged. The commenters also suggested that 
the rule contain a definition of ``invalid requests.'' This is a valid 
suggestion and we have described that term in Sec. 1220.726(b). Section 
1220.726(b) in the proposed rule is renumbered Sec. 1220.726(c) in this 
final rule.

Miscellaneous

    Two commenters recommended that a new section be included to 
address the requirement in the Act that the Secretary publish a notice 
in the Federal Register and that the Board notify producers in writing, 
within 60 days of the end of the polling period, of their opportunity 
to request a refund referendum. This is a valid suggestion; however, 
rather than add a new section, we have expanded the definition of 
Public Notice in Sec. 1220.711 to include the commenters' suggestions.

Effective Date

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 it is found and determined that good cause 
exists for not postponing the effective date of the action until 30 
days after publication of this rule in the Federal Register. This rule 
establishes the procedures for conducting a producer poll required by 
the Act and should become effective as soon as possible in order to 
begin preparations for the poll.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1220

    Agricultural research, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Soybeans.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 1220 is 
amended as follows:

PART 1220--SOYBEAN PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND CONSUMER INFORMATION

    1. The authority citation for part 1220 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6301-6311.

    2. In part 1220, a new subpart F is added to read as follows:

Subpart F--Procedures for the Conduct of a Producer Poll

Sec.

Definitions

1220.701  Act.
1220.702  Administrator.
1220.703  Consolidated Farm Service Agency County Committee.
1220.704  Consolidated Farm Service Agency.
1220.705  Consolidated Farm Service Agency County Executive 
Director.
1220.706  Department.
1220.707  Deputy Administrator.
1220.708  Order.
1220.709  Person.
1220.710  Producer.
1220.711  Public notice.
1220.712  Refund referendum.
1220.713  Representative period.
1220.714  Secretary.
1220.715  Soybeans.
1220.716  State and United States.

Producer Poll

1220.717  General.
1220.718  Supervision of poll.
1220.719  Eligibility.
1220.720  Time and place for requesting a refund referendum.
1220.721  Facilities for conducting poll.
1220.722  Certification and request forms.
1220.723  Certification and request procedure.
1220.724  Lists of registered producers.
1220.725  Challenge of eligibility.
1220.726  Canvassing request lists.
1220.727  CFSA county office report.
1220.728  CFSA State office report.
1220.729  Results of the poll.
1220.730  Disposition of records.
1220.731  Instructions and forms.

Subpart F--Procedures for the Conduct of a Producer Poll

Definitions


Sec. 1220.701  Act.

    The term Act means the Soybean, Promotion, Research, and Consumer 
Information Act set forth in title XIX, subtitle E of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-624), and 
any amendments thereto. [[Page 15030]] 


Sec. 1220.702  Administrator.

    The term Administrator means the Administrator of AMS, or any 
officer or employee of the Department to whom there has been delegated 
or may be delegated the authority to act in the Administrator's stead.


Sec. 1220.703  Consolidated Farm Service Agency County Committee.

    The term Consolidated Farm Service Agency County Committee, also 
referred to as CFSA County Committee, means the group of persons within 
a county who are elected to act as the Consolidated Farm Service Agency 
County Committee.


Sec. 1220.704  Consolidated Farm Service Agency.

    The term Consolidated Farm Service Agency, also referred to as 
CFSA, means the Consolidated Farm Service Agency of the Department.


Sec. 1220.705  Consolidated Farm Service Agency County Executive 
Director.

    The term Consolidated Farm Service Agency County Executive 
Director, also referred to as CED, means the person employed by the 
CFSA County Committee to execute the policies of the CFSA County 
Committee and to be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the 
CFSA county office, or the person acting in such capacity.


Sec. 1220.706  Department.

    The term Department means the United States Department of 
Agriculture.


Sec. 1220.707  Deputy Administrator.

    The term Deputy Administrator means the Deputy or Acting Deputy 
Administrator, Program Delivery and Field Operations, Consolidated Farm 
Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture.


Sec. 1220.708  Order.

    The term Order means the Soybean Promotion and Research Order.


Sec. 1220.709  Person.

    The term Person means any individual, group of individuals, 
partnership, corporation, association, cooperative, or any other legal 
entity.


Sec. 1220.710  Producer.

    The term Producer means any person engaged in the growing of 
soybeans in the United States who owns, or shares the ownership and 
risk of loss of such soybeans.


Sec. 1220.711  Public notice.

    The term Public notice means a notice published in the Federal 
Register, not later than 60 days prior to the last day of the polling 
period which provides information regarding the producer poll. Such 
notification shall include, but not be limited to explanation of 
producers rights; the opportunity to request a refund referendum by 
participating in the producer poll; the purpose of the poll, dates 
during which the producer poll will be conducted; where it will be 
conducted, and eligibility requirements. Additionally, the Board is 
required to provide producers, in writing, the same information during 
the same time period. Other pertinent information will also be 
provided, without advertising expense, through press releases by State 
and county CFSA offices and other appropriate Government offices, by 
means of newspapers, electronic media, county newsletter, and the like.


Sec. 1220.712  Refund referendum.

    The term Refund referendum means a referendum conducted pursuant to 
Sec. 1969(1)(2)(F)(iv) of the Act relating to continuance of authority 
for producers to receive refunds of assessments.


Sec. 1220.713  Representative period.

    The term Representative period means the period designated by the 
Secretary pursuant to Sec. 1970 of the Act.


Sec. 1220.714  Secretary.

    The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United 
States or any other officer or employee of the Department to whom there 
has been delegated or to whom there may be delegated the authority to 
act in the Secretary's stead.


Sec. 1220.715  Soybeans.

    The term Soybeans means all varieties of Glycine max or Glycine 
soja.


Sec. 1220.716  State and United States.

    The terms State and United States include the 50 States of the 
United States of America, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Producer Poll


Sec. 1220.717    General.

    (a) A poll to determine whether eligible producers favor the 
conduct of a refund referendum on the continuance of the payment of 
refunds under the Order shall be conducted in accordance with this 
subpart.
    (b) The poll shall be conducted at the county offices of CFSA.
    (c) If the Secretary determines, based on the poll results, that at 
least 20 percent (not in excess of one-fifth of which may be producers 
in any one State) of all producers support the conducting of a refund 
referendum to determine whether such producers favor the continuation 
of the payment of refunds under the Order, a refund referendum will be 
held within 1 year from that determination.
    (d) If the Secretary determines, based on the poll results, that 
less than 20 percent (not in excess of one-fifth of which may be 
producers in any one State) of all producers favor the conduct of a 
refund referendum, a refund referendum will not be held and refunds 
will be discontinued.
    (e) For purposes of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, the 
total number of producers is 381,000 as reported in the 1992 Census of 
Agriculture.


Sec. 1220.718  Supervision of poll.

    The Administrator shall be responsible for conducting the poll in 
accordance with this subpart.


Sec. 1220.719  Eligibility.

    (a) Eligible producers. Each person who was a producer during the 
representative period is entitled to request a refund referendum. Each 
producer entity is entitled to only one request.
    (b) Participation in the poll by proxy is not authorized.
    (c) An officer or employee of a corporate producer, or any 
guardian, administrator, executor, or trustee of a producer's estate, 
or an authorized representative of any eligible producer entity (other 
than an individual producer), such as a corporation or partnership, may 
register and request a refund referendum on behalf of that entity. Such 
individual must certify that he/she is authorized by such entity to 
take such action.
    (d) Joint and group interest. A group of individuals, such as 
members of a family, joint tenants, tenants in common, a partnership, 
owners of community property, or a corporation engaged in the 
production of soybeans as a producer entity will be entitled to make 
only one request; provided, however, that any individual member of a 
group who is an eligible producer separate from the group may register 
and make a request as a producer.


Sec. 1220.720  Time and place for requesting a refund referendum.

    A poll will be conducted for one day on a date to be determined by 
the Secretary. Eligible persons shall make their requests following the 
procedures in Sec. 1220.723. Except for absentee requests, the polling 
will take place during the business hours of each county CFSA 
office. [[Page 15031]] 


Sec. 1220.721   Facilities for conducting poll.

    Each county CFSA office shall provide adequate facilities and space 
to permit producers to register and to sign Form LS-51 indicating that 
they are requesting that a refund referendum be conducted.


Sec. 1220.722  Certification and request forms.

    A single sheet (Form LS-51) shall be used for certifying 
eligibility and for requesting a refund referendum. The county CFSA 
office, at the request of the producer, will fill out the form, 
including the producer's name and address. The county CFSA office will 
require the producer to read the certification statement and to sign 
his or her name. The form does not require a ``yes'' or ``no.'' 
Completing and signing the Form LS-51 will be considered a request to 
the Secretary to conduct a refund referendum. A combined registration, 
certification, and request form (Form LS-53) shall be used for absentee 
requests. The producer must read and sign the form simultaneously 
registering, certifying eligibility, and requesting that a refund 
referendum be conducted.


Sec. 1220.723  Certification and request procedure.

    (a) In-person. Each producer who wants to request that a refund 
referendum be conducted shall, during the period to be specified by the 
Secretary, request that the county CFSA office in, or serving, the 
county in which the producer resides, enter his or her name and address 
on Form LS-51. Each producer entity shall make its request at the 
county CFSA office in the county in which its headquarters office or 
business is located or at the county office serving the county in which 
the entity's headquarters office or business is located. Producers will 
be required to provide their names and addresses to the county CFSA 
office and to read the certification statement before signing the form. 
By signing the form, producers certify that they or the entity they 
represent were producers during the specified representative period. A 
producer who is requesting a refund referendum on behalf of an entity 
referred to in Sec. 1220.719 certifies by signing the form that he or 
she is authorized to do so.
    (b) Absentee requests. Individual eligible producers may request 
and obtain a combined registration, certification, and request form 
(Form LS-53) from the county CFSA office in, or serving, the county in 
which they reside. Eligible producer entities may request Form LS-53 
from the county CFSA office in, or serving, the county in which their 
main office is located. Only one Form LS-53 shall be provided to each 
eligible producer. Form LS-53 may be requested in person or in writing 
during a specified period which will be announced by the Secretary. The 
county ASCS office shall enter on Form LS-52, ``Absentee Request 
List,'' the name and address of each person or entity requesting Form 
LS-53 and the date the form was mailed.
    (1) To register, eligible producers must complete and sign Form LS-
53, and certify that: (i) They or the entity they represent were 
producers during the specified representative period; and
    (ii) If requesting a refund referendum on behalf of an entity 
referred to in Sec. 1220.719 they are authorized to do so.
    (2) After completing Form LS-53, a producer must fold the self-
mailer so that the CFSA county office address is properly displayed, 
and mail or deliver the form to the address shown.
    (3) Completed absentee requests must be postmarked no later than 
the last day of the absentee polling period.


Sec. 1220.724  Lists of registered producers.

    Maintaining security of Forms LS-51 and LS-52. County CFSA offices 
shall at all times maintain control of the master (original) Forms LS-
51 and LS-52. A copy of Form LS-52 will be posted and available for 
public inspection each day beginning on the first day of the absentee 
polling period through the second business day following the in-person 
poll. Copies of Form LS-51 will be posted and available for public 
inspection on the date of the in-person poll and for 2 business days 
thereafter. The forms will be posted during regular office hours in a 
conspicuous public location.


Sec. 1220.725  Challenge of eligibility.

    (a) Who may challenge. A person's eligibility to request a refund 
referendum may be challenged by any person.
    (b) Challenge period. A challenge of a person's eligibility to 
request a refund referendum may be made at any time during the polling 
period, but no later than the close of business on the 2nd day after 
the date of the in-person poll.
    (c) Determination of challenges. The CFSA County Committee or its 
designee, acting on behalf of the Administrator, shall make a 
determination concerning the eligibility of a producer who has been 
challenged and notify challenged producers as soon as practicable, but 
not later than 5 business days after the date of the in-person poll.
    (d) Challenged names. The names of producers whose eligibility is 
challenged shall be so noted. The notation ``challenged'' shall be made 
next to the name on the Form LS-51 or Form LS-52. After the challenge 
has been resolved, the county CFSA office shall write either 
``eligible'' or ``ineligible'' next to the name on the Form LS-51 or 
Form LS-52. A challenge shall be determined to have been resolved if 
the determination of the CFSA County Committee or its designee is not 
appealed within the time allowed for appeal or there has been a 
determination by the CFSA County Committee after an appeal.
    (e) Appeal. A person declared to be ineligible to request a refund 
referendum by the CFSA County Committee or its designee may file an 
appeal at the county CFSA office within 3 business days after 
notification of such decision. Such person may be required to provide 
documentation such as sales documents or similar documents in order to 
demonstrate his or her eligibility. An appeal shall be determined by 
the CFSA County Committee, or its designee, acting on behalf of the 
Administrator, as soon as practicable, but in all cases not later than 
the 9th business day after the last day of the polling period. The CFSA 
County Committee or its designee's determination on an appeal is final.


Sec. 1220.726  Canvassing request lists.

    (a) Canvassing procedure. Canvassing of Forms LS-51, LS-52, and LS-
53 shall take place as soon as possible after the opening of county 
CFSA offices on the 10th business day following the in-person polling 
date. Such canvassing shall be in the presence of at least two CFSA 
employees. CED or designee shall supervise the canvassing process and 
make a determination as to:
    (1) The number of producers signing Forms LS-51 and LS-53 and found 
to be eligible to request a refund referendum, and
    (2) The number of producers signing Forms LS-51 and LS-53 found to 
be ineligible to request a refund referendum.
    (b) Requests shall be declared invalid if a producer has failed to 
provide all information required and/or has failed to properly sign 
Forms LS-51, LS-52, or LS-53.
    (c) The public may witness the review and tabulation of Forms LS-
51, LS-52, and LS-53, but may not interfere with the process.


Sec. 1220.727  CFSA county office report.

    The CFSA county report shall be certified as complete by the CED or 
designee. CFSA county office shall notify CFSA State office of the 
results of [[Page 15032]] the poll. Each CFSA county office shall 
transmit the results of the poll in its county to the CFSA State 
office. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the number of 
producers registering to request a refund referendum; the number of 
requests declared invalid; the number of requests declared ineligible; 
and the total number of requests declared eligible to conduct a 
referendum. The results of the poll in each county may be made 
available to the public after the county has reported to the State 
office. A copy of the report of results shall be posted for 30 days in 
CFSA county office in a conspicuous place accessible to the public, and 
a copy shall be kept on file in CFSA county office for a period of at 
least 12 months.


Sec. 1220.728  CFSA State office report.

    Each CFSA State office shall transmit to the Deputy Administrator, 
CFSA, a written summary of the results of the poll received from all 
CFSA county offices within the State. The summary shall include the 
information on the poll results contained in the reports from all 
county offices within each State and be certified by the CFSA State 
Executive Director. The State CFSA office shall maintain a copy of the 
summary where it shall be available for public inspection for a period 
of not less that 12 months.


Sec. 1220.729  Results of the poll.

    (a) The Deputy Administrator, CFSA, shall submit to the 
Administrator, AMS, the results of the poll. The Administrator, AMS, 
shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a report of the results of 
the poll. The results of the poll shall be issued by the Department in 
an official press release and published in the Federal Register. State 
reports and related papers shall be available for public inspection in 
the office of the Marketing Programs Branch, Livestock and Seed 
Division, AMS, USDA, room 2624 South Agriculture Building, 14th and 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC.
    (b) If the Secretary deems it necessary, the report of any State or 
county will be reexamined and checked by such persons who may be 
designated by the Deputy Administrator, CFSA, or the Secretary.


Sec. 1220.730  Disposition of records.

    Each CFSA CED shall place in sealed containers marked with the 
identification of the soybean producer poll, the request lists and 
county summaries. Such records shall be secured in the custody of the 
CFSA CED for a period of not less than 12 months after the poll. If no 
notice to the contrary is received from the Deputy Administrator, CFSA, 
by the end of such time, the records shall be destroyed.


Sec. 1220.731  Instructions and forms.

    The Administrator is hereby authorized to prescribe additional 
instructions and forms not inconsistent with the provisions of this 
subpart to govern the conduct of the producer poll.

    Dated: March 15, 1995.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-6910 Filed 3-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P