PART 900 - GENERAL REGULATIONS

(a) The term Act means Public Act No. 10, 73 Congress (48 Stat. 31), as amended and as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (50 Stat. 246), as amended.

(b) The term Department means the United States Department of Agriculture.

(c) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter be delegated, to act for the Secretary.

(d) The term judge means any administrative law judge appointed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3105 or any presiding official appointed by the Secretary, and assigned to conduct the proceeding.

(e) The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act for the Administrator.

(f) [Reserved]

(g) The term Federal Register means the publication provided for by the act of July 26, 1935 (49 Stat. 500), and acts supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof.

(h) The term hearing means that part of the proceeding which involves the submission of evidence.

(i) The term marketing agreement means any marketing agreement or any amendment thereto which may be entered into pursuant to section 8b of the act.

(j) The term marketing order means any order or any amendment thereto which may be issued pursuant to section 8c of the act, and after notice and hearing as required by said section.

(k) The term proceeding means a proceeding upon the basis of which a marketing agreement may be entered into or a marketing order may be issued.

(l) The term hearing clerk means the hearing clerk, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.

(a) A marketing agreement or a marketing order may be proposed by the Secretary or by any other person. If any person other than the Secretary proposes a marketing agreement or marketing order, he shall file with the Administrator a written application, together with at least four copies of the proposal, requesting the Secretary to hold a hearing upon the proposal. Upon receipt of such proposal, the Administrator shall cause such investigation to be made and such consideration thereof to be given as, in his opinion, are warranted. If the investigation and consideration lead the Administrator to conclude that the proposed marketing agreement or marketing order will not tend to effectuate the declared policy of the act, or that for other proper reasons a hearing should not be held on the proposal, he shall deny the application, and promptly notify the applicant of such denial, which notice shall be accompanied by a brief statement of the grounds for the denial.

(b) If the investigation and consideration lead the Administrator to conclude that the proposed marketing agreement or marketing order will tend to effectuate the declared policy of the act, or if the Secretary desires to propose a marketing agreement or marketing order, he shall sign and cause to be served a notice of hearing, as provided in this subpart.

(a) Filing and contents of the notice of hearing. The proceeding shall be instituted by filing the notice of hearing with the hearing clerk. The notice of hearing shall contain a reference to the authority under which the marketing agreement or marketing order is proposed; shall define the scope of the hearing as specifically as may be practicable; shall describe any alternative procedures established pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section; shall contain either the terms or substance of the proposed marketing agreement or marketing order or a description of the subjects and issues involved and shall state the industry, area, and class of persons to be regulated, the time and place of such hearing, and the place where copies of such proposed marketing agreement or marketing order may be obtained or examined. The time of the hearing shall not be less than 15 days after the date of publication of the notice in the Federal Register, as provided in this subpart, unless the Administrator shall determine that an emergency exists which requires a shorter period of notice, in which case the period of notice shall be that which the Administrator may determine to be reasonable in the circumstances: Provided, That, in the case of hearings on amendments to marketing agreements or marketing orders, the time of the hearing may be less than 15 days but shall not be less than 3 days after the date of publication of the notice in the Federal Register.

(b) Giving notice of hearing and supplemental publicity.

(c) Record of notice and supplemental publicity. There shall be filed with the hearing clerk or submitted to the judge at the hearing an affidavit or certificate of the person giving the notice provided in paragraph (b)(1) (iii) and (iv) of this section. In regard to the provisions relating to mailing in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, a determination by the Administrator that such provisions have been complied with shall be filed with the hearing clerk or submitted to the judge at the hearing. In the alternative, if notice is not given in the manner provided in paragraph (b)(1)(ii), (iii), and (iv) of this section there shall be filed with the hearing clerk or submitted to the judge at the hearing a determination by the Administrator that such notice is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest with a brief statement of the reasons for such determination. Determinations by the Administrator as herein provided shall be final.

(d) Alternative procedures. The Administrator may establish alternative procedures for the proceeding that are in addition to or in lieu of one or more procedures in this subpart, provided that the procedures are consistent with 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557. The alternative procedures must be described in the notice of hearing, as required in paragraph (a) of this section.

(a) Assignment. No judge who has any pecuniary interest in the outcome of a proceeding shall serve as judge in such proceeding.

(b) Powers of judges. Subject to review by the Secretary, as provided elsewhere in this subpart, the judge, in any proceeding, shall have power to:

(c) Who may act in absence of judge. In case of the absence of the judge or his inability to act, the powers and duties to be performed by him under this part in connection with a proceeding may, without abatement of the proceeding unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary, be assigned to any other judge.

(d) Disqualification of judge. The judge may at any time withdraw as judge in a proceeding if he deems himself to be disqualified. Upon the filing by an interested person in good faith of a timely and sufficient affidavit of personal bias or disqualification of a judge, the Secretary shall determine the matter as a part of the record and decision in the proceeding, after making such investigation or holding such hearings, or both, as he may deem appropriate in the circumstances.

(a) General. All motions and requests shall be filed with the hearing clerk, except that those made during the course of the hearing may be filed with the judge or may be stated orally and made a part of the transcript. Except as provided in § 900.15(b) such motions and requests shall be addressed to, and ruled on by, the presiding officer if made prior to his certification of the transcript pursuant to § 900.10 or by the Secretary if made thereafter.

(b) Certification to Secretary. The judge may in his discretion submit or certify to the Secretary for decision any motion, request, objection, or other question addressed to the judge.

(a) Time and place. The hearing shall be held at the time and place fixed in the notice of hearing, unless the judge shall have changed the time or place, in which event the judge shall file with the hearing clerk a notice of such change, which notice shall be given in the same manner as provided in § 900.4 (relating to the giving of notice of the hearing): Provided, That, if the change in time or place of hearing is made less than 5 days prior to the date previously fixed for the hearing, the judge, either in addition to or in lieu of causing the notice of the change to be given, shall announce, or cause to be announced, the change at the time and place previously fixed for the hearing.

(b) Appearances —

(c) Order of procedure.

(d) Evidence —

(a) Oral argument before judge. Oral argument before the judge shall be in the discretion of the judge. Such argument, when permitted, may be limited by the judge to any extent that he finds necessary for the expeditious disposition of the proceeding and shall be reduced to writing and made part of the transcript.

(b) Briefs, proposed findings and conclusions. The judge shall announce at the hearing a reasonable period of time within which interested persons may file with the hearing clerk proposed findings and conclusions, and written arguments or briefs, based upon the evidence received at the hearing, citing, where practicable, the page or pages of the transcript of the testimony where such evidence appears. Factual material other than that adduced at the hearing or subject to official notice shall not be alluded to therein, and, in any case, shall not be considered in the formulation of the marketing agreement or marketing order. If the person filing a brief desires the Secretary to consider any objection made by such person to a ruling of the judge, as provided in § 900.8(d), he shall include in the brief a concise statement concerning each such objection, referring where practicable, to the pertinent pages of the transcript.

(a) During the period in which the proceeding has an active status in the Department, a copy of the transcript and exhibits shall be kept on file in the office of the hearing clerk, where it shall be available for examination during official hours of business. Thereafter said transcript and exhibits shall be made available by the hearing clerk for examination during official hours of business after prior request and reasonable notice to the hearing clerk.

(b) Transcripts of hearings shall be made available to any person at actual cost of duplication.

(a) Preparation. As soon as practicable following the termination of the period allowed for the filing of written arguments or briefs and proposed findings and conclusions the Administrator shall file with the hearing clerk a recommended decision.

(b) Contents. The Administrator's recommended decision shall include:

(c) Exceptions to recommended decision. Immediately following the filing of his recommended decision, the Administrator shall give notice thereof, and opportunity to file exceptions thereto by publication in the Federal Register. Within a period of time specified in such notice any interested person may file with the hearing clerk exceptions to the Administrator's proposed marketing agreement or marketing order, or both, as the case may be, and a brief in support of such exceptions. Such exceptions shall be in writing, shall refer, where practicable, to the related pages of the transcript and may suggest appropriate changes in the proposed marketing agreement or marketing order.

(d) Omission of recommended decision. The procedure provided in this section may be omitted only if the Secretary finds on the basis of the record that due and timely execution of his functions imperatively and unavoidably requires such omission.

(a) Execution and issuance of marketing agreement. If the Secretary has approved a marketing agreement, as provided in § 900.13a, the Administrator shall cause copies thereof to be distributed for execution by the handlers eligible to become parties thereto. If and when such number of the handlers as the Secretary shall deem sufficient shall have executed the agreement, the Secretary shall execute the agreement. After execution of a marketing agreement, such agreement shall be filed with the hearing clerk, and notice thereof, together with notice of the effective date, shall be given by publication in the Federal Register. The marketing agreement shall not become effective less than 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register, unless the Secretary, upon good cause found and published with the agreement, fixes an earlier effective date therefor: Provided, That no marketing agreement shall become effective as to any person signatory thereto before either

(b) Issuance of marketing order with marketing agreement. Whenever, as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary executes a marketing agreement, and handlers also have executed the same as provided in section 8c(8) of the Act, he shall, if he finds that it will tend to effectuate the purposes of the Act, issue and make effective the marketing order, if any, which was filed as a part of his decision pursuant to § 900.13a: Provided, That the issuance of such order shall have been approved or favored by producers as required by section 8c(8) of the act.

(c) Issuance of marketing order without marketing agreement. If, despite the failure or refusal of handlers to sign the marketing agreement, as provided in section 8c(8) of the Act, the Secretary makes the determinations required under section 8c(9) of the Act, the Secretary shall issue and make effective the marketing order, if any, which was filed as a part of his decision pursuant to § 900.13a.

(d) Effective date of marketing order. No marketing order shall become effective less than 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register, unless the Secretary, upon good cause found and published with the order, fixes an earlier effective date therefor: Provided, That no marketing order shall become effective as to any person sought to be charged thereunder before either

(e) Notice of issuance. After issuance of a marketing order, such order shall be filed with the hearing clerk, and notice therof, together with notice of the effective date, shall be given by publication in the Federal Register. (7 U.S.C. 610(c).)

(a) Filing, number of copies. Except as is provided otherwise in this subpart, all documents or papers required or authorized by the foregoing provisions of this subpart to be filed with the hearing clerk shall be filed in quadruplicate. Any document or paper, so required or authorized to be filed with the hearing clerk, shall, during the course of an oral hearing, be filed with the presiding officer. The provisions of this subpart concerning filing with the hearing clerk of hearing notices, recommended and final decisions, marketing agreements and orders, and all documents described in § 900.17 shall be met by filing a true copy thereof with the hearing clerk.

(b) Extensions of time. The time for the filing of any document or paper required or authorized by the foregoing provisions of this subpart to be filed may be extended by the judge before the record is certified by the judge or by the Administrator (after the record is so certified by the judge but before it is transmitted to the Secretary), or by the Secretary (after the record is transmitted to the Secretary) upon request filed, and if, in the judgment of the judge, Administrator, or the Secretary, as the case may be, there is good reason for the extension. All rulings made pursuant to this paragraph shall be filed with the hearing clerk.

(c) Effective date of filing. Any document or paper required or authorized in this subpart to be filed shall be deemed to be filed at the time it is received by the Hearing Clerk.

(d) Computation of time. Each day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays, shall be included in computing the time allowed for filing any document or paper: Provided, That when the time for filing a document or paper expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal public holiday, the time allowed for filing the document or paper shall be extended to include the following business day.

(a) At no stage of the proceeding following the issuance of a notice of hearing and prior to the issuance of the Secretary's decision therein shall an employee of the Department who is or may reasonably be expected to be involved in the decisional process of the proceeding discuss ex parte the merits of the proceeding with any person having an interest in the proceeding or with any representative of such person: Provided, That procedural matters and status reports shall not be included within this limitation; and Provided further, That an employee of the Department who is or may reasonably be expected to be involved in the decisional process of the proceeding may discuss the merits of the proceeding with such a person if all parties known to be interested in the proceeding have been given notice and an opportunity to participate. A memorandum of any such discussion shall be included in the record of the proceeding.

(b) No person interested in the proceeding shall make or knowingly cause to be made to an employee of the Department who is or may reasonably be expected to be involved in the decisional process of the proceeding an ex parte communication relevant to the merits of the proceeding except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) If an employee of the Department who is or may reasonably be expected to be involved in the decisional process of the proceeding receives or makes a communication prohibited by this section, the Department shall place on the public record of the proceeding:

(d) Upon receipt of a communication knowingly made or knowingly caused to be made by a party in violation of this section, the Department may, to the extent consistent with the interest of justice and the policy of the underlying statute, take whatever steps are deemed necessary to nullify the effect of such communication.

(e) For the purposes of this section, ex parte communication means an oral or written communication not on the public record with respect to which reasonable prior notice to all interested parties is not given, but which shall not include requests for status reports (including requests on procedural matters) on any proceeding.

(a) Explain the proposal. What is the disorderly marketing condition that the proposal is intended to address?

(b) What is the purpose of the proposal?

(c) Describe the current Federal order requirements or industry practices relative to the proposal.

(d) Describe the expected impact on the industry, including on producers and handlers, and on consumers. Explain/Quantify.

(e) What are the expected effects on small businesses as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612)? Explain/Quantify.

(f) How would adoption of the proposal increase or decrease costs to producers, handlers, others in the marketing chain, consumers, the Market Administrator offices and/or the Secretary? Explain/Quantify.

(g) Would a pre-hearing information session be helpful to explain the proposal?

(a) Under § 900.10 of this part, the period of time for interested persons to file corrections to the transcript of testimony at a Federal milk marketing agreement or order amendatory proceeding shall be no more than 30 days after the hearing record is available.

(b) Under § 900.9(b) of this part, the period of time after the completion of a Federal milk marketing agreement or order amendatory hearing for interested persons to file proposed findings and conclusions, and written arguments or briefs, shall be no more than 60 days after completion of the amendatory hearing.

(a) The nature and complexity of the proposal;

(b) The potential regulatory and economic impacts on affected entities; and

(c) Any other relevant matters.

(a) The purpose of the proposal;

(b) The problem the proposal is designed to address with explanation and quantification;

(c) The current requirements or industry practices relative to the proposal;

(d) The expected impact on the industry, including producers, handlers, and on consumers;

(e) In the case of marketing orders, an explanation, including supporting information and data, of how the proposal would tend to improve returns to producers, and in the case of marketing agreements, how the proposal impacts the signatories to the agreement;

(f) The expected effects on small businesses as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612);

(g) A description and quantification of whether the proposal would increase or decrease costs to producers, handlers, or others in the marketing chain, and to consumers, marketing order committees and boards and/or the Secretary;

(h) A description of how the proposal would be implemented; and

(i) A description, including quantification, of how compliance with the proposal would be effected.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 900.1 through 900.18, and 900.36 through 900.42 of this part, the Secretary may determine that informal rulemaking procedures under § 553 of Title 5, United States Code be used to amend fruit, vegetable or nut marketing agreements and marketing orders. In making this determination, consideration shall be given to:

(a) The term act means Public Act No. 10, 73d Congress, as amended and as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. and Sup. 601);

(b) The term Department means the United States Department of Agriculture;

(c) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter be delegated, to act for the Secretary;

(d) The term judge means any administrative law judge appointed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3105 or any presiding official appointed by the Secretary, and assigned to conduct the proceeding.

(e) The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act for the Administrator.

(f) [Reserved]

(g) The term Federal Register means the publication provided for by the act of July 26, 1935 (49 Stat. 500), and acts supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof;

(h) The term marketing order means any order or any amendment thereto which may be issued pursuant to section 8c of the act;

(i) The term handler means any person who, by the terms of a marketing order, is subject thereto, or to whom a marketing order is sought to be made applicable;

(j) The term proceeding means a proceeding before the Secretary arising under section 8c(15)(A) of the Act.

(k) The term hearing means that part of the proceeding which involves the submission of evidence;

(l) The term party includes the Department;

(m) The term hearing clerk means the hearing clerk, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.;

(n) [Reserved]

(o) The term decision means the judge's initial decision in proceedings subject to 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557, and includes the judge's

(p) The term petition includes an amended petition.

(a) Filing and service of petition. Any handler desiring to complain that any marketing order or any provision of any such order or any obligation imposed in connection therewith is not in accordance with law, shall file with the hearing clerk, in quadruplicate, a petition in writing addressed to the Secretary. Promptly upon receipt of the petition, the hearing clerk shall transmit a true copy thereof to the Administrator and the General Counsel, respectively.

(b) Contents of petition. A petition shall contain:

(c) Motion to dismiss petition —

(a) Time of filing. Within 30 days after the filing of the petition, the Administrator shall file an answer thereto: Provided, That if a motion to dismiss the petition, in whole or in part, is made pursuant to § 900.52(c), the answer shall be filed within 15 days after the service of an order of the judge denying the motion or granting the motion with respect to only a portion of the petition. The answer shall be filed with the hearing clerk who shall cause a copy thereof to be served promptly upon the petitioner.

(b) Contents. The answer shall specify which of the material allegations of fact or of law in the petition are controverted and which are not controverted. The answer also may contain affirmative allegations of fact constituting separate defenses and statements of objections to the sufficiency of the whole or any part of the petition.

(a) Assignment. No judge who has any pecuniary interest in the outcome of the proceeding, or who has participated in any investigation preceding the institution of the proceeding, shall serve as judge in such proceeding.

(b) Conduct. The judge shall conduct the proceeding in a fair and impartial manner and shall not discuss ex parte the merits of the proceeding with any person who is or who has been connected in any manner with the proceeding in an advocative or investigative capacity.

(c) Powers of judges. Subject to review by the Secretary, as provided elsewhere in this subpart, the judge shall have power to:

(d) Who may act in absence of judge. In case of the absence of the judge or his inability to act, the powers and duties to be performed by him under these rules of practice in connection with a proceeding may, without abatement of the proceeding unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary, be assigned to any other judge.

(e) Disqualification of judge. The judge may at any time withdraw as judge in a proceeding if he deems himself to be disqualified. Upon the filing by an interested person in good faith of a timely and sufficient affidavit of personal bias or disqualification of a judge, the Secretary shall determine the matter as a part of the record and decision in the proceeding, after making such investigation or holding such hearings, or both, as he may deem appropriate in the circumstances.

(a) General.

(b) Certification of motions. The submission or certification of any motion, request, objection, or other question to the Secretary, as provided in this subpart, shall be in the discretion of the judge.

(a) Time and place. The judge shall set a time and place for hearing and shall file with the hearing clerk a notice stating the time and place of hearing. If any change in the time or place of hearing becomes necessary, it shall be made by the judge, who, in such event, shall file with the hearing clerk a notice of the change. Such notice shall be served upon the parties, unless it is made during the course of an oral hearing and made a part of the transcript.

(b) Appearances —

(c) Order of proceeding. Except as may be determined otherwise by the judge, the petitioner shall proceed first at the hearing.

(d) Evidence —

(e) Transcript. Transcripts of hearings shall be made available to any person at actual cost of duplication.

(a) Procedure in lieu of deposition. Before any party may have testimony taken by deposition, said party shall, if practicable, submit to the other party an affidavit which shall set forth the facts to which the witness would testify, if the deposition should be taken. If, after examination of such affidavit, the other party agrees, or (within 10 days after submission of the affidavit) fails to object, that the affidavit may be used in lieu of the deposition, the judge shall admit the affidavit in evidence and shall not order the deposition to be taken.

(b) Application for taking deposition. Upon the application of a party to the proceeding, the judge may, at any time after the filing of the moving paper, order, under the facsimile signature of the Secretary, the taking of testimony by deposition. The application shall be in writing and shall be filed with the hearing clerk and shall set forth:

(c) Judge's order for taking deposition. If, after the examination of the application, the judge is of the opinion that the deposition should be taken, he shall order its taking. The order shall be filed with the hearing clerk and shall be served upon the parties and shall state:

(d) Qualifications of judge. The deposition shall be taken before the judge, or before a judge authorized by the law of the United States or by the law of the place of the examination to administer oaths, or before a judge authorized by the Secretary to administer oaths.

(e) Procedure on examination.

(f) Certification by judge. The judge shall certify on the deposition that the deponent was duly sworn by him and that the deposition is a true record of the deponent's testimony. He shall then securely seal the deposition, together with two copies thereof, in an envelope and mail the same by registered mail to the hearing clerk.

(g) Use of depositions. A deposition ordered and taken in accord with the provisions of this section may be used in a proceeding under the act if the judge finds that the evidence is otherwise admissible and

(a) Issuance of subpenas. The attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence from any place in the United States on behalf of any party to the proceeding may, by subpena, be required at any designated place of hearing. Subpenas may be issued by the Secretary or by the judge, under the facsimile signature of the Secretary, upon a reasonable showing by the applicant of the grounds, necessity, and reasonable scope thereof.

(b) Application for subpena duces tecum. Subpenas for the production of documentary evidence, unless issued by the judge upon his own motion, shall be issued only upon a certified written application. Such application shall specify, as exactly as possible, the documents desired and shall show their competency, relevancy, and materiality and the necessity for their production.

(c) Service of subpenas. Subpenas may be served

(a) Corrections to and certification of transcript.

(b) Proposed findings of fact, conclusions, and orders. Within 10 days (unless the judge shall have announced at the hearing a shorter or longer period of time) after the transcript has been filed with the hearing clerk, as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, each party may file with the hearing clerk proposed findings of fact, conclusions, and order, based solely upon the evidence of record, and briefs in support thereof.

(c) Judge's Decision. The judge, within a reasonable time after the termination of the period allowed for the filing of proposed findings of fact, conclusions,and orders, and briefs in support thereof, shall prepare upon the basis of the record, and shall file with the hearing clerk, his initial decision, a copy of which shall be served by the hearing clerk, upon each of the parties. Such decision shall become final without further proceedings 35 days after the date of service thereof, unless there is an appeal to the Secretary by a party to the proceeding: Provided, however, That no decision shall be final for the purpose of judicial review except a final decision issued by the Secretary pursuant to an appeal by a party to the proceeding.

(a) Filing of appeal. Any party who disagrees with a judge's decision or any part thereof, may appeal the decision to the Secretary by filing an appeal petition with the Hearing Clerk within 30 days after service of said decision upon said party. Each issue set forth in the appeal, and the arguments thereon, shall be separately numbered; shall be plainly and concisely stated; and shall contain detailed citations of the record, statutes, regulations and authorities being relied upon in support thereof. The appeal petition shall be served upon the other party to the proceeding by the hearing clerk.

(b) Argument before Secretary —

(c) Response. Within 20 days after service of an appeal brought by a party to the proceeding, any other party may file a response in support of or in opposition to such appeal.

(d) Transmittal of record. Whenever an appeal is filed by a party to the proceeding, the hearing clerk shall transmit to the Secretary the record of the proceeding. Such record shall include: The pleadings; any motions and requests filed, and the rulings thereon; the transcript of the testimony taken at the hearing, as well as the exhibits filed in connection therewith; any statements filed under the shortened procedure; any documents or papers filed in connection with prehearing conferences; such proposed findings of fact, conclusions, and orders, and briefs in support thereof, as may have been filed in connection with the hearing; the judge's initial decision; and the appeal petition; briefs in support thereof, and responses thereto as may have been filed in the proceeding.

(a) Consideration of appeal. As soon as practicable after the receipt of the record from the hearing clerk, or, in case oral argument was had, as soon as practicable thereafter, the Secretary, upon the basis of and after due consideration of the record, shall rule on the appeal. If the Secretary decides that no change or modification of the judge's decision is warranted, he may adopt the Judge's decision as the final order of the Secretary, preserving any right of the party bringing the appeal to seek judicial review of such decision in the proper forum. At no stage of the proceeding between its institution and the issuance of the order shall the Secretary discuss ex parte the merits of the proceeding with any person who is connected with the proceeding in an advocative or an investigative capacity, or with any representative of such person: Provided, however, That the Secretary may discuss the merits of the proceeding with such a person if all parties to the proceeding, or their representatives, have been given an opportunity to be present. If, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, a memorandum or other communication from any party, or from any person acting on behalf of any party, which relates to the merits of the proceeding, receives the personal attention of the Secretary (or, if an official other than the Secretary is to issue the order, then of such other official) during the pendency of the proceeding, such memorandum or communication shall be regarded as argument made in the proceeding and shall be filed with the hearing clerk, who shall serve a copy thereof upon the opposite party to file a reply thereto.

(b) Issuance of final order. A final order issued by the Secretary shall be filed with the hearing clerk, who shall serve it upon the parties: Provided, That, if the terms of the order differ substantially from those proposed in the decision of the judge, the Secretary shall, if he deems it advisable to do so, direct that a copy of the order be served upon the parties as a tentative order; and, in such event, opportunity shall be given the parties to file exceptions thereto and written arguments or briefs in support of such exceptions. In such case, if exceptions are filed within a period of time (to be fixed by the Secretary but not to exceed 20 days) following the service of the tentative order, the Secretary shall give consideration, to and shall make such changes in the tentative order as he deems to be appropriate; otherwise, the tentative order shall become final, as of the day following the date of expiration of the period fixed for the filing of exceptions.

(a) Petition requisite —

(b) Procedure for disposition of petitions. Within 10 days following the service of any petition provided for in this section, the other party to the proceeding shall file with the hearing clerk an answer thereto. As soon as practicable thereafter, the Secretary shall announce the decision granting or denying the petition. Unless the Secretary shall determine otherwise, the issuance or operation of the order shall not be stayed pending the decision of the Secretary upon the petition. In the event that any such petition is granted by the Secretary, the applicable rules of practice, as set out elsewhere in this subpart, shall be followed.

(a) Filing; number of copies. Except as provided otherwise herein, all documents or papers required or authorized in this subpart to be filed with the hearing clerk shall be filed in quadruplicate: Provided, That, if there are more than two parties to the proceeding, a sufficient number of additional copies shall be filed so as to provide for service upon all the parties to the proceeding. Any document or paper, required or authorized in this subpart to be filed with the hearing clerk, shall, during the course of an oral hearing, be filed with the judge.

(b) Service; proof of service. Copies of all such papers shall be served upon the parties by the hearing clerk, by the judge, or by some other employee of the Department or by a United States Marshal or his deputy. Service shall be made either

(c) Extensions of time. The time for the filing of any documents or papers required or authorized in this subpart to be filed may be extended upon

(d) Effective date of filing. Any document or paper required or authorized in this subpart to be filed shall be deemed to be filed at the time it is received by the Hearing Clerk.

(e) Computation of time. Each day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays, shall be included in computing the time allowed for filing any document or paper: Provided, That when the time for filing a document or paper expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal public holiday, the time allowed for filing the document or paper shall be extended to include the following business day.

(a) Filing the application. A person who has filed a petition pursuant to § 900.52 may by separate application filed with the hearing clerk apply to the Secretary for an order postponing the effective date of, or suspending the application of, the marketing order or any provision thereof, or any obligation imposed in connection therewith, pending final determination of the proceeding.

(b) Contents of the application. The application shall contain a statement of the facts upon which the relief is requested, including any facts showing irreparable injury. The application must be signed and sworn to by the petitioner and any facts alleged therein which are not within his personal knowledge shall be supported by affidavits of a person or persons having personal knowledge of such facts or by proper documentary evidence thereof.

(c) Answer to application. Immediately upon receipt of the application, the hearing clerk shall transmit a copy thereof, together with all supporting papers, to the Administrator, who shall, within 20 days, or such other time fixed by the Secretary, after the filing of the application file an answer thereto with the hearing clerk.

(d) Contents of answer. The answer shall contain a statement of the objections, if any, of the Administrator to the application for interim relief, and may be supported by affidavits and documentary evidence.

(e) Transmittal to Secretary. Upon receiving the answer of the Administrator or upon the expiration of the time for filing the answer, the hearing clerk shall transmit to the Secretary for his decision all papers filed in connection with the application.

(f) Hearing and oral argument. The Secretary may, in his discretion, permit oral argument or the taking of testimony in connection with such application. However, unless written request therefor is filed with the hearing clerk prior to the transmittal of the papers to the Secretary, the parties shall be deemed to have waived oral argument and the taking of testimony.

(g) Decision by Secretary. The Secretary may grant or deny the application. Any action taken by the Secretary shall be in the form of an order filed with the hearing clerk and shall contain a brief statement of the reasons for the action taken. The hearing clerk shall cause copies of the order to be served upon the parties.

(a) The term Act means Public Act No. 10, 73 Congress (48 Stat. 31) as amended and as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (50 Stat. 246), as amended.

(b) The term Department means the United States Department of Agriculture.

(c) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter be delegated, to act in his stead.

(d) The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, with power to redelegate, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act in his stead.

(e) The term proceeding means a proceeding before the Secretary arising under sections 8a, 8b(b), 8c(14), 8e, 10(c) and 10(h).

(f) The term hearing means that part of the proceeding which involves the submission of evidence.

(g) The term marketing agreement means any marketing agreement or any amendment thereto which may be entered into pursuant to section 8b of the act.

(h) The term marketing order means any order or any amendment thereto which may be issued pursuant to section 8c of the act, and after notice and hearing as required by said section.

(i) The term handler means any person who, by the terms of a marketing order or marketing agreement, is subject thereto, or to whom a marketing order or marketing agreement is sought to be made applicable.

(j) The term importer means any person who, by the terms of section 8e of the act, is subject thereto.

(k) The term person means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any other business unit.

(a) The Administrator, or the Administrator's representative, shall give the handler or importer notice of the alleged violation of the applicable marketing order or marketing agreement, or the requirements issued pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 608b(b) and 7 U.S.C. 608e, and an opportunity for a hearing thereon as provided by the Act;

(b) In agreeing to the proposed stipulation, the handler or importer expressly waives the opportunity for a hearing and agrees to pay a specified civil penalty within a designated time;

(c) The Administrator, or the Administrator's representative, agrees to accept the specified civil penalty in settlement of the particular matter involved if it is paid within the designated time;

(d) In cases where the handler or importer does not pay the specified civil penalty within the designated time, or the handler or importer does not agree to the stipulation, the Administrator may issue an administrative complaint; and

(e) The civil penalty that the Administrator may have proposed in a stipulation agreement shall have no bearing on the civil penalty amount that the Department may seek in a formal administrative proceeding against the same handler or importer for the same alleged violation.

(a) Conduct meetings by any means of communication available, electronic or otherwise, that effectively assembles members and the public, and facilitates open communication.

(b) Vote by any means of communication available, electronic or otherwise; Provided, That votes cast are verifiable and that quorum and other procedural requirements of each respective marketing order are met.

(c) With the approval of the Secretary, each administrative body may prescribe any additional procedures necessary to carry out the objectives of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(a) The term act means section 3 of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (50 Stat. 248, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 671);

(b) The term Department means the United States Department of Agriculture;

(c) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter be delegated, to act in his stead;

(d) The term General Counsel means the General Counsel of the Department;

(e) The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, with power to redelegate, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act in his stead;

(f) The term Service means the Agricultural Marketing Service;

(g) The term Division means the Dairy Division of the Service;

(h) The term cooperative means any association, incorporated or otherwise, which is in good faith owned or controlled by producers, or organizations thereof, of milk or its products, and which is bona fide engaged in the collective processing or preparing for market or handling or marketing, in the current of interstate or foreign commerce, of milk or its products;

(i) The term arbitrator means any officer or employee of the Service designated by the Administrator, pursuant to the act, to arbitrate a bona fide dispute with reference to the terms and conditions of the sale of milk or its products between a producer cooperative and purchasers, handlers, processors, or distributors of milk or its products;

(j) The term mediator means any officer or employee of the Service designated by the Administrator, pursuant to the act, to mediate a bona fide dispute with reference to terms and conditions of the sale of milk or its products between a producer cooperative and purchasers, handlers, processors, or distributors of milk or its products;

(k) The term hearing clerk means the hearing clerk, United States Departent of Agriculture, Washington, DC.

(a) Names in full of the parties to the dispute and their addresses;

(b) Description of the cooperative organization and business, including copies of the articles of incorporation or association, by-laws, and membership contract; information regarding the number of shares of outstanding stock and the approximate portion owned by active producers; a statement of the function performed in connection with the collective processing, preparing, handling, or marketing of milk or its products; and data relative to the distribution of membership by States, the distribution by States of plant facilities for collecting, processing, or disposing of milk or its products, and the business operations for the year last past, including the total quantity of milk and its products handled by the applicant and the proportion of that quantity that was sold in States other than the States of production;

(c) Suggested time and place for meeting between parties and mediator.

(a) Names in full of the parties to the dispute and their addresses;

(b) The same information required under § 900.103(b);

(c) Concise statement of dispute to be submitted;

(d) Originals or certified copies of all contracts, if any, involved in the dispute, and of correspondence which has passed between the parties and of any other documents or information relied upon;

(e) Dates before which it is desired that the hearing shall be had and the award shall become effective;

(f) Suggested time and place for arbitration hearing.

(a)

(b) [Reserved]

(a) The arbitrator shall have full discretion to conduct the hearing in such manner as will, in his opinion, enable him to ascertain all the facts in the case.

(b) Parties to the dispute may appear in person or by duly accredited agents and may be represented by counsel.

(c) All relevant and material evidence may be presented. The arbitrator shall not be bound by the legal rules of evidence.

(d) The arbitrator, in the presence of the parties, may require the production of books and records for examination by himself, but not for examination of confidential information by other parties to the dispute unless the party producing the same consents to its examination by the other parties to the dispute.

(e) No evidence offered by one party shall be received except in the presence of all parties unless the parties so agree in a submission specifying the nature of the evidence to be received.

(f) Final determination as to what will be considered confidential information shall be made by the arbitrator.

(g) The arbitrator may request the opinions of economists, marketing specialists, statisticians, lawyers, accountants, and other experts.

(h) When more than two arbitrators are designated to hear a dispute, and they disagree, the award of the majority shall be the final award. If the arbitrators are evenly divided, there shall be no award.

(i) A stenographic record of all the proceedings during an arbitration must be made.

(a) An award shall be made within ten days after the close of the hearing.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) The term Act means Public Act No. 10, 73d Congress (48 Stat. 31), as amended and as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (50 Stat. 246, 7 U.S.C. 601), as amended;

(b) The term Department means the United States Department of Agriculture;

(c) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter be delegated, to act in his stead;

(d) The term General Counsel means the General Counsel of the Department;

(e) The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, with power to redelegate, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act in his stead.

(f) The term mail means to transmit either electronically or through a postal or other delivery system, information or a package (e.g., letter or envelope) to a recipient.

(g) The term Federal Register means the publication provided for by the Act of July 26, 1935 (49 Stat. 500), and Acts supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof;

(h) The term marketing agreement means any marketing agreement or any amendment thereto which may be entered into pursuant to section 8b of the Act;

(i) The term marketing order means any order or any amendment thereto which may be issued pursuant to section 8c of the Act;

(j) The term person means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any other business unit;

(k) The term official means the Secretary, any officer, employee, or other person employed or appointed by the Department, and any agency or agent appointed by the Secretary to administer a marketing agreement or a marketing order, and any agent or employee of any such agency or agent;

(l) The term information means and includes reports, books, accounts, records, and the facts and information contained therein and required to be furnished to or acquired by any official pursuant to the provisions of any marketing agreement or marketing order.

(a) Such information may be disclosed, divulged, or made public if it has been obtained from or furnished by a person who is not the person to whose business or property such information relates or an employee of such latter person, or if such information is otherwise required by law to be furnished to an official;

(b) Such information may be furnished to other officials for use in the regular course of their official duties;

(c) Such information may be combined and published in the form of general statistical studies or data in which the identity of the person furnishing such information or from whom it was obtained shall not be disclosed;

(d) Such information may be disclosed upon lawful demand made by the President or by either House of Congress or any committee thereof, or, if the Secretary determines that such disclosure is not contrary to the public interest, such information may be disclosed in response to a subpena by any court of competent jurisdiction.

(e) Such information may be offered in evidence (whether or not it has been obtained from or furnished by the person against whom it is offered) by or on behalf of the Secretary, the United States, or the official who obtained it or to whom it was furnished, in any administrative hearing held pursuant to section 8c(15)(A) of the Act or in any action, suit, or proceeding, civil or criminal, in which the Secretary or the United States or any such official is a party, and:

(f) Such information may be furnished to the duly constituted authorities of any State, pursuant to a written agreement made under authority of section 10(i) of the Act, to the extent that such information is relevant to transactions within the regulatory jurisdiction of such authorities.

(a) Act. Act means Public Act No. 10, 73d Congress (48 Stat. 31), as amended, and as re-enacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (50 Stat. 246), as amended.

(b) Department. Department means the United States Department of Agriculture.

(c) Secretary. Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter be delegated, to act in his stead.

(d) Administrator. Administrator means the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, with power to redelegate, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act in his stead.

(e) Person. Person includes any individual, partnership, corporation, association, and any other business unit.

(f) Order. Order means the marketing order (including an amendatory order) with respect to which the Secretary has directed that a referendum be conducted.

(g) Producer. Producer means any person who is a dairy farmer and who, during the representative period, met the requirements of the term producer as defined in the order had such order been in effect during the representative period.

(h) Handler. Handler means any person who, during the representative period, met the requirements of the term handler as defined in the order had such order been in effect during the representative period.

(i) Referendum agent. Referendum agent means the person designated by the Secretary to conduct the referendum.

(j) Representative period. Representative period means the period designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 8c of the Act (7 U.S.C. 608c).

(k) Cooperative association. Cooperative association means any association of producers that the administrator has found to be qualified pursuant to section 608c(12) of the Act.

(a) Any association of producers, not previously determined to be a cooperative association may file an application for a determination as to whether it is a cooperative association and thus eligible to vote in a referendum. Such application shall be filed with the Administrator at least 60 days prior to the holding of the referendum: Provided, however, That the Administrator may permit the filing of an application in less than 60 days when, in the opinion of the Administrator, such filing would not delay the conduct of the referendum.

(b) Within a time fixed by the referendum agent, but not later than 5 days prior to the final date for balloting, each cooperative association electing to vote shall, upon the request of the referendum agent, furnish to him a certified list showing the name and address of each producer for whom it claims the right to vote and the plant at which such person's milk was received during the representative period.

(a) Each producer shall be entitled to only one vote and to cast one ballot in each referendum; and no person who may claim to be a producer shall be refused a ballot. Each producer casting more than one ballot with conflicting votes shall thereby invalidate all ballots cast by such producer in such referendum. Each ballot cast shall contain a certification by the person casting the ballot that he is a producer.

(b) Except as provided in section 8c(5)(B) of the act, as amended, any cooperative association eligible under § 900.302 may, if it elects to do so, vote and cast one ballot for producers who are members of, stockholders in, or under contract with, such cooperative association. A cooperative association shall submit, with its ballot, a certified copy of the resolution authorizing the casting of the ballot. Each such cooperative association entitled to vote in a referendum casting more than one ballot with conflicting votes shall thereby invalidate all ballots cast by such voter in such referendum.

(c) Voting by proxy or agent, or in any manner, except by the producer or cooperative association will not be permitted; however, a producer which is other than an individual may cast its ballot by a person who is duly authorized and such ballot shall contain a certification by such person that the person on whose behalf the ballot is cast is a producer.

(a) For purposes of mailing, prepare a record of producers which will disclose the name of each such person, his address, the name of the handler who received the producer's milk during the representative period, and the name of the cooperative association, if any, which claims the right to vote for the producer. Such record may be compiled from readily available sources, including the following:

(b) Apply, as a guide, the following criteria in preparing a record of producers:

(c) Verify the information supplied by each cooperative association which wishes to vote on behalf of producers, as follows:

(a) The referendum agent shall at least 5 days prior to the final date for balloting:

(b) [Reserved]

(a) General. The referendum agent shall verify the information supplied with each ballot. If he ascertains that the person who cast the ballot was eligible to do so, that the ballot is complete and was mailed and received within the prescribed time, the ballot shall be eligible to be counted. If the referendum agent ascertains that the person who cast the ballot was not eligible to do so, or if the producer who cast the ballot was a member of, stockholder in, or under contract with a cooperative association which cast a valid ballot, or if the ballot is not completed or cast in accordance with instructions, or if the ballot was not mailed to or received by the referendum agent within the prescribed time, the ballot shall be marked “disqualified” with a notation on the ballot as to the reason for the disqualification. The total number of ballots cast, including the disqualified ballots, shall be ascertained. The number of eligible ballots cast approving and the number of eligible ballots cast disapproving the issuance of the order shall also be ascertained. The ballots marked “disqualified” shall not be considered as approving or disapproving the issuance of the order, and the persons who cast such ballots shall not be regarded as participating in the referendum.

(b) Individual-handler pool provisions. Whenever separate approval of the pooling provisions of the order is required by section 608c(5)(B)(i) of the act, any ballot which approves the issuance of the order and disapproves the pooling provisions, or approves the pooling provisions and disapproves the issuance of the order, shall be disqualified; and the referendum agent shall mark the ballot accordingly.

(c) Record of results of the referendum. The referendum agent shall notify the Administrator of the number of eligible ballots cast, the count of the votes, the number of disqualified ballots and the number of producers who were eligible to cast ballots. The referendum agent shall seal the ballots, including those marked “disqualified”, the list of eligible voters and tabulation of ballots, and shall transmit to the Administrator a complete detailed report of all action taken in connection with the referendum together with all the ballots cast and all other information furnished to or compiled by the referendum agent.

(d) Announcement of the results of the referendum. Announcement of the results of the referendum will be made only at the direction of the Secretary. The referendum agent, or others who assist in the referendum, shall not disclose the results of the referendum or the total number of ballots cast.

(a) Notice. Notice shall be given in writing and shall be mailed to the last known address of the association, or of an officer thereof, at least 3 days before the date set for a hearing. Such notice shall contain: A statement of the time and place of the hearing, said place to be as convenient to the association as can reasonably be arranged, and may contain a statement of the reason for calling the hearing and the nature of the questions upon which evidence is desired or upon which argument may be presented.

(b) Parties. Hearings are not to be public and are to be attended only by representatives of the association and of the Government, and such other persons as either the association or the Government desires to have appear for purposes of submitting information or as counsel.

(c) Conduct of hearing. The Director or Acting Director of the Dairy Division, or a person designated by him, shall preside at the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in such manner as will be most conducive to the proper disposition of the matter. Written statements or briefs may be filed by the association within the time specified by the presiding officer.

(d) Preliminary report. The presiding officer shall prepare a preliminary report setting forth a recommendation as to what action shall be taken and the basis for such action. A copy of said report shall be served upon the association by mail or in person. The association may file exceptions to said report within 10 days after service thereof.

(e) Final report. After due consideration of all the facts and the exceptions, if any, the Director of the Dairy Division shall issue a final report setting forth the action to be taken and the basis for such action.

(a) Act means Public Act No. 10, 73d Congress (48 Stat. 31), as amended, and as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (50 Stat. 246), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674).

(b) Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter be delegated, to act in his stead; and Department means the United States Department of Agriculture.

(c) Administrator means the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, with power to redelegate, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act in his stead.

(d) Order means the marketing order (including an amendatory order) with respect to which the Secretary has directed that a referendum be conducted.

(e) Referendum agent means the individual or individuals designated by the Secretary to conduct the referendum.

(f) Representative period means the period designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 8c of the act (7 U.S.C. 608c).

(g) Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other business unit. For the purpose of this definition, the term partnership includes

(h) Producer means any person defined as a producer in the order who:

(a) Each person who is a producer, as defined in this subpart, at the time of the referendum and who also was a producer during the representative period, shall be entitled to only one vote in the referendum, except that:

(b) Whenever, as required by the act, processors vote on the issuance of an order, each processor who is engaged in canning or freezing within the production area of the commodity covered by the order shall be entitled to vote in the referendum the quantity of such commodity canned or frozen within the production area for market by him during the representative period determined by the Secretary.

(c) Proxy voting is not authorized but an officer or employee of a corporate producer, processor or cooperative association, or an administrator, executor or trustee of a producing estate may cast a ballot on behalf of such producer, processor, estate, or cooperative association. Any individual so voting in a referendum shall certify that he is an officer or employee of the producer, processor, or cooperative association, or an administrator, executor, or trustee of a producing estate, and that he has the authority to take such action. Upon request of the referendum agent, the individual shall submit adequate evidence of such authority.

(d) Each producer, cooperative association of producers, and processor entitled to vote in a referendum shall be entitled to cast one ballot in the referendum. Each producer, cooperative association of producers, and processor casting more than one ballot with conflicting votes shall thereby invalidate all ballots cast by such producer, cooperative association of producers, or processor in such referendum.

(a) Determine the time of commencement and termination of the period of the referendum, and the time prior to which all ballots must be cast.

(b) Determine whether ballots may be cast by mail, at polling places, at meetings of producers or processors, or by any combination of the foregoing.

(c) Provide ballots and related material to be used in the referendum. Ballot material shall provide for recording essential information for ascertaining:

(d) Give reasonable advance notice of the referendum

(e) Make available to producers and the aforesaid cooperative associations which indicate to the agent their intentions to vote, and to processors when required, instructions on voting, appropriate ballot and certification forms, and, except in the case of a referendum on the termination or continuance of an order, the text of the proposed order and a summary of its terms and conditions: Provided, That no person who claims to be qualified to vote shall be refused a ballot.

(f) If ballots are to be cast by mail, cause all the material specified in paragraph (e) of this section to be mailed to each producer (and processor when required) whose name and address is known to the referendum agent.

(g) If ballots are to be cast at polling places or meetings, determine the necessary number of polling or meeting places, designate them, announce the time of each meeting or the hours during which each polling place will be open, provide the material specified in paragraph (e) of this section, and provide for appropriate custody of ballot forms and delivery to the referendum agent of ballots cast.

(h) At the conclusion of the referendum, canvass the ballots, tabulate the results, and, except as otherwise directed, report the outcome to the Administrator and promptly thereafter submit the following:

(a) Give public notice of the referendum in the manner specified herein;

(b) Preside at a meeting where ballots are to be cast or as poll officer at a polling place;

(c) Distribute ballots and the aforesaid texts to producers (and to processors when required) and receive any ballots which are cast; and

(d) Record the name and address of each person receiving a ballot from, or casting a ballot with, said subagent and inquire into the eligibility of such person to vote in the referendum.

(a) Purpose. This section collects and displays the control numbers assigned to information collection requirements by the Office of Management and Budget contained in 7 CFR parts 905 through 998 under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

(b) Display.

(a) This section specifies criteria for identifying persons eligible to obtain an exemption from the portion of the assessment used to fund marketing promotion activities under a marketing order and the procedures for applying for such an exemption under 7 CFR parts 905, 906, 915, 922, 923, 925, 927, 929, 930, 932, 948, 955, 956, 958, 959, 966, 981, 982, 984, 985, 987, 989, 993, and such other parts (included in 7 CFR parts 905 through 998) covering marketing orders for fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops as may be established or amended to include market promotion. For the purposes of this section, the term “assessment period” means fiscal period, fiscal year, crop year, or marketing year as defined under these parts; the term “marketing promotion” means marketing research and development projects or marketing promotion, including paid advertising designed to assist, improve, or promote the marketing, distribution, or consumption of the applicable commodity.

(b) A handler who operates under an approved National Organic Program (7 CFR part 205) (NOP) organic handling system plan and is subject to assessments under a part or parts specified in paragraph (a) of this section may be exempt from the portion of the assessment applicable to marketing promotion, including paid advertising, provided that:

(c) Assessment exemption application.

(d) Assessment exemption calculation.