Showing posts with label Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board. Show all posts

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Agricultural Law Weekly Review—March 26, 2020


Written by:  
Brook Duer—Staff Attorney
Audry Thompson—Research Assistant

The Agricultural Law Weekly Review provides an update of recent agricultural law developments from the local, state, national, and international levels.  Subscribe to the ALWR at pennstateaglaw.com

Dairy Policy: Dean Foods Bankruptcy Asset Sale Proceeds Without DFA as Pre-Negotiated Opening Bidder
On March 19, 2020, a hearing was conducted in the Dean Foods Chapter 11 bankruptcy, pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Case #19-36313, on a motion filed by Debtor Southern Foods Group, LLC and forty-two affiliated companies (Dean Foods) to amend the February 17, 2020, “Bidding Procedures for Sale of Debtors’ Assets” Order.  That Order established dairy producer cooperative Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) as what is referred to in bankruptcy terminology as a “Stalking Horse Bidder” whose bid terms are pre-negotiated with Debtor Dean Foods and serve as the opening bid.  As a result of the motion and hearing, the court entered a new March 19, 2020, “Bidding Procedures for Sale of Debtors’ Assets” Order which strikes any reference to an agreement with DFA or a pre-negotiated Stalking Horse Bid.  The bid deadline is March 30, 2020, and a sale hearing before the court is set for April 3, 2020.  The hearing was the first public disclosure that the $425 million asset sales agreement announced in February 2020 between Dean Foods and DFA has been terminated.  

Pesticides: Maryland Bill Enacting Chlorpyrifos Ban Awaits Governor’s Action
On March 18, 2020, the Maryland General Assembly passed, and transmitted to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland Senate Bill 300.  This legislation creates a phased-in state-wide prohibition on use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos, beginning with an October 1, 2020, aerial application ban and concluding with a total prohibition of its use by January 1, 2022.  Unless vetoed by Governor Hogan, the bill will become law on April 17, 2020.  Under the bill, beginning January 1, 2021, the use of chlorpyrifos or seeds treated with it is prohibited, except for specified applications to fruit trees or snap bean seeds.  Those exceptions will end on July 1, 2021, unless the Department of Agriculture finds that no effective alternative exists in which case an extension can be granted until December 31, 2021.  All exceptions will end on January 1, 2022.  Barring a veto, Maryland will join California, New York and Hawaii as states prohibiting chlorpyrifos use and/or sales.   

Biofuels: EPA Elects Not to Appeal Adverse Ruling on Legality of Renewable Fuel Standard Small Refinery Exemptions
On March 24, 2020, the appeal period expired, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) elected not to challenge the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (Tenth Circuit) invalidating EPA’s process for granting small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuel percentage blending requirements.  Renewable Fuel Association et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, et al., Case No. 18-9533.  EPA received a two-week extension of the filing deadline because the decision has wide-ranging implications for dozens of exemptions granted that do not comply with the Tenth Circuit’s decision. Because other parties filed by the deadline, the case may continue without EPA defending its exemptions.  For more background, see the March 12, 2020, and the January 30, 2020, Agricultural Law Weekly Review items titled, EPA Receives Extension for Appealing Adverse Ruling on Renewable Fuel Standard Exemptions” and  Court of Appeals Invalidates EPA Grant of Renewable Fuel Standard Waivers,” respectively.  

Agricultural Labor: Entry Restrictions from Mexico Inapplicable to H-2A Visa Holders
On March 24, 2020, the Secretary of Homeland Security published an announcement that entry of individuals from Mexico to the U.S. through land ports of entry is limited to “essential travel,” which is defined to include “Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Mexico in furtherance of such work).”  85 FR 16547.  Therefore, holders of H-2A visas may enter.  However, on March 18, 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and all U.S. consulates in Mexico announced the immediate suspension of routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services until further notice.  In a conference call, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue addressed the potential inability to obtain an H-2A visa by stating the U.S. State Department informed him a sub-set of Mexican H-2A visa applicants, i.e. “returning workers,” who do not require an in-person interview at a U.S. Consulate Office will have visa applications processed.  He did not address  H-2A visa applicants who do require an in-person interview.  Secretary Purdue stated inquiries should be made to Aglabor@USDA.gov and at the webpage: https://www.farmers.gov/manage/h2a.

Dairy Policy: Pennsylvania Over-Order Premium Remains Level for Next Six Months
On March 19, 2020, the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board (PMMB) convened to issue Official General Order No. A-1005 establishing the Pennsylvania Over-Order Premium for the period of April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 at $1.00 per hundredweight.  This is the same amount established for the preceding six months.  At the same meeting, it was announced that board member Carol Hardbarger would resign and be appointed PMMB Secretary, both effective March 20, 2020.  PMMB Secretary is a full-time position and is the administrative supervisor of the Board’s day-to-day operations and staff.

From National Ag Law Authorities & Sources: 

Penn State Research & News:

AGENCY PRESS RELEASES—STATE/FEDERAL
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Press Releases:

U.S. Department of Agriculture Press Releases:

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE
Pennsylvania Executive Agencies—Actions and Notices: 
Governor’s Office
50 Pa.B. 1644 “Proclamation of Disaster Emergency” (Mar. 21, 2020). 
Pennsylvania Legislature 
H.B. 1100 “An Act amending . . . the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for energy and fertilizer manufacturing tax credit.” Presented to the Governor (Mar. 18, 2020). 
S.B. 1096 “An Act providing for fund transfers during the novel coronavirus as identified in the Governor's Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on March 6, 2020.” Referred to Community, Economic and Recreational Development [Senate] (Mar. 20, 2020).
H.B. 2369 “An Act amending . . . the Job Enhancement Act, in Community Development Bank Grant and Loan Program, further providing for authority loans; and making appropriations.” Referred to Commerce [House] (Mar. 23, 2020). 
H.B. 1316 “A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in taxation and finance, providing for spending limitations on the Commonwealth.” Removed from table [House] (Mar. 24, 2020).

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE
Federal Executive Agencies—Actions and Notices: 
Agricultural Department
85 FR 15759 “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Farm Service Agency: Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program Pluses,” Notice (Mar. 19, 2020).  
85 FR 16313 “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Agricultural Marketing Service: Cotton Classing, Testing, and Standards, Cotton Classification and Market News Service],” Notice (Mar. 23, 2020). 
85 FR 16606 “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [National Agricultural Statistics Service: Aquaculture Survey],” Notice (Mar. 24, 2020). 

Agricultural Marketing Service
85 FR 15758 “Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection: Assessment Exemption for Organic Commodities Under Federal Marketing Orders,” Notice—Comment Period (Mar. 19, 2020).
85 FR 15743 “Onions Grown in South Texas; Decreased Assessment Rate,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (Mar. 19, 2020).
85 FR 16273 “Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.; Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2019-20 Crop Year,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (Mar. 23, 2020). 
85 FR 16229 “Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Amendment to Primary Peanut-Producing States and Adjustment of Membership,” Rule (Mar. 23, 2020). 

Agricultural Research Service
85 FR 16606 “Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License [Washington State Crop Improvement Association, Inc.—chickpea variety],” Notice—Comment Period (Mar. 24, 2020). 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
85 FR 16047 “Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Live Swine, Pork, and Pork Products From Certain Regions,” Notice—Comment Period (Mar. 20, 2020).

Commodity Credit Corporation
85 FR 16231 “Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs and Noninsured Crop Assistance Program; Correction,” Rule (Mar. 23, 2020). 

Drug Enforcement Administration
85 FR 16292 “Controls To Enhance the Cultivation of Marihuana for Research in the United States,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (Mar. 23, 2020). 

Employment and Training Administration
85 FR 16133 “Labor Certification Process for the Temporary Employment of H-2A and H-2B Foreign Workers in the United States: Annual Update to Allowable Charges for Agricultural Workers' Meals and for Travel Subsistence Reimbursement, Including Lodging,” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).

Executive Office of the President
85 FR 16227 “Prioritizing and Allocating Health and Medical Resources to Respond to the Spread of COVID-19,” Presidential Document (Mar. 23, 2020). 
85 FR 16995 “Delegation of Functions Under 31 U.S.C. 5302 [to the Secretary of the Treasury for use of the Exchange Stabilization Fund in an aggregate amount of up to $50 billion],” Presidential Document (Mar. 25, 2020). 

Federal Communications Commission
85 FR 16098 “Federal Advisory Committee Act; Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States,” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).

Federal Emergency Management Agency
85 FR 16116 “Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations [AL, CO, CT, FL, GA, MT, ND, PA, SC, TX, VA],” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).
85 FR 16270 “Final Flood Elevation Determinations [Washington],” Rule (Mar. 23, 2020). 

Fish and Wildlife Service
85 FR 15870 “Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 2020-21 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (Mar. 19, 2020).
85 FR 15795 “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 10 Species in Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico,” Notice (Mar. 19, 2020).
85 FR 16951 “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 25 Southeastern Species,” Notice—Comment Period (Mar. 25, 2020). 

Food and Drug Administration
85 FR 15789 “March 10 Through April 30, 2020, Public Meetings; Postponement, Cancellation, or Remote Only,” Notice (Mar. 19, 2020).
85 FR 16949 “Process for Making Available Guidance Documents Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019,” Notice (Mar. 25, 2020). 

Food and Nutrition Service.
85 FR 16050 “Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines,” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).
85 FR 16273 “Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; Extension of Comment Period,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (Mar. 23, 2020). 
85 FR 16572 “Streamlining Program Requirements and Improving Integrity in the Summer Food Service Program,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (Mar. 24, 2020). 

Food Safety and Inspection Service
85 FR 15759 “Expansion of Use of the Term ‘Healthy,’” Notice—Comment Period (Mar. 19, 2020).
85 FR 16048 “Notice of Request for Renewal of an Approved Information Collection (State Meat and Poultry Programs),” Notice—Comment Period (Mar. 20, 2020).

Natural Conservation Service
85 FR 16607 “Notice of Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service,” Notice—Comment Period (Mar. 24, 2020). 

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
85 FR 15847 “Invitation for Applications for Inclusion on the Dispute Settlement Rosters for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement,” Notice (Mar. 19, 2020). 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service
85 FR 16519 “Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC) Program,” Rule (Mar. 24, 2020). 
85 FR 16925 “Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for the Rural Energy for America Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020; Amendment,” Notice (Mar. 25, 2020). 

Susquehanna River Basin Commission
85 FR 16177 “Revocation of Approvals,” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).
85 FR 16180 “Projects Approved for Minor Modifications [New York State Canal Corporation, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority],” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).
85 FR 16179 “Projects Approved for Consumptive Uses of Water [December 1-31, 2019],” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).
85 FR 16179 “Projects Approved for Consumptive Uses of Water [January 1-31, 2020.],” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).
85 FR 16178 “Actions Taken at March 13, 2020, Meeting,” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).
85 FR 16177 “Grandfathering (GF) Registration Notice,” Notice (Mar. 20, 2020).
85 FR 16546 “Review and Approval of Projects,” Rule (Mar. 24, 2020). 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
85 FR 16547 “Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Mexico,” Rule (Mar. 24, 2020). 
85 FR 16548 “Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Canada,” Rule (Mar. 24, 2020). 

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Actions: 
H.R.6318 “To expand economic opportunities, improve community policing, and promote common-sense gun violence prevention in underserved communities, and for other purposes.” Referred to Committees on the Judiciary, Education and Labor, Financial Services, Ways and Means, Small Business, Oversight and Reform, Agriculture, Rules, and Energy and Commerce  (Mar. 23, 2020). 
H.R.6321 “To provide financial protections and assistance for America's consumers, States, businesses, and vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 emergency and to recover from the emergency.” Referred to Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Small Business, the Judiciary, and Agriculture (Mar. 23, 2020).
H.R.6378 “To require the Federal financial regulators to issue interagency regulatory guidance in order to provide forms of relief to borrowers and customers during pandemics and major disasters, to continue to operate and provide services and lending, and to require such regulators to conduct testing with financial institutions to assess pandemic or disaster preparedness, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Agriculture (Mar. 23, 2020).

U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, And Forestry Committee Actions: 
S.3552 “A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide payments to cattle producers to offset losses due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Mar. 20, 2020). 
S.3563 “A bill to modify nutrition programs to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Mar. 22, 2020). 

Follow us on Twitter @AgShaleLaw to receive #AgLaw HotLinks
Mar. 18–25, 2020 Top #AgLaw links:

MEAT+POULTRY “Food and retail leaders reassure stability of US food supply chain” 
Food Safety News “Approval of genetically engineered soy protein for ‘Impossible Burger’ challenged”
Food Navigator-USA“Grocers ‘have a viable supply chain’ & ‘are not shutting down,’ but product mix may change, FMI says” 
Farm and Dairy “Pa. Governor: agriculture is an essential business” 
Feedstuffs “Maryland legislators partially ban chlorpyrifos” 
Feedstuffs “USDA ensuring no food safety disruptions amid coronavirus” 
Dairy Reporter “The ripple effects of COVID-19: A look into global dairy” 
Brownfield “U.S. Senator Says MFP Could be Part of Coronavirus Economic Relief for Farmers” 
Brownfield “First Settlement Payments from Syngenta Lawsuit are Being Mailed” 
The Wall Street Journal “Bayer Advances Toward Resolving Roundup Litigation” 

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Thursday, December 12, 2019

Agricultural Law Weekly Review —December 12, 2019

Written by:  
Brook Duer—Staff Attorney
Audry Thompson—Research Assistant


The Agricultural Law Weekly Review provides an update of recent agricultural law developments from the local, state, national, and international levels.  Subscribe to the ALWR at pennstateaglaw.com

Dairy Policy: PMMB Enters Order Mandating Cooperative Costs Recovery
On December 4, 2019, the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board (PMMB) entered an order, titled “Interim Order Regarding Cooperative Milk Procurement Costs Hearing,” (Interim Order) mandating that, from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, milk dealers pay $.20 per hundredweight as part of the producer price paid to dairy cooperative members for milk produced, processed and sold in Pennsylvania as reimbursement for cooperative services such as field, laboratory and calibration services, producer payroll, sales invoicing, and dispatch and logistics.  The Interim Order resulted from a compromise agreement reached in PMMB legal proceedings, and is entered without prejudice to the positions of the parties, between the Pennsylvania Association of Dairy Cooperatives and the Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers.  The compromise was reached in order to determine if a scheduled July 2020 resumption, and December 2020 conclusion, of the legal proceedings can be avoided.  The justification for the payment is that a milk dealer bears the cost of those services if purchasing milk from an independent producer and recovers that cost in the Pennsylvania minimum wholesale price paid by retailers for packaged fluid milk.  However, a cooperative bears the expense for those services when a milk dealer purchases milk from a cooperative with no reimbursement, until now, in the Pennsylvania producer price paid by milk dealers.  

Farm Bill: USDA Extends Deadlines for Dairy Margin Coverage and Market Facilitation Program to December 20
On December 11, 2019, USDA announced that the deadline for dairy producers to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program has been extended from December 13, 2019, to December 20, 2019.  The 2018 Farm Bill authorized the DMC Program to provide payment to dairy producers when the margin between the all-milk price and the average feed cost falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer at enrollment.  USDA also announced that it would continue accepting applications from all eligible commodity producers for the Market Facilitation Program through December 20, despite the original closing date of December 6, 2019.  MFP is part of the 2018 and 2019 Trump Administration Trade Aid packages and provides payment to producers of certain commodities as compensation for decreased exports according to parameters developed by USDA.  The MFP application is filed at a producer’s local Farm Services Agency (FSA) office, as is a DMC Program enrollment.

Farm Bill: USDA Changes SNAP Benefit
On December 4, 2019, USDA announced it would publish in the Federal Register a Final Rule (84 FR 66782), finalizing a February 1, 2019, proposed regulation amendment (made primarily effective April 1, 2020) changing the conditions under which states may request and obtain a waiver of the maximum eligibility time for certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.  “Three months in a three-year period” is the time limit for able-bodied adults between ages 18 and 49 without dependents (ABAWDs) to collect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits without working or participating in work training for at least 20 hours a week.  Waivers of that time limit are available in areas having over 10% unemployment or in which there is a lack of sufficient jobs.  The amendments restrict the scope and number of waivers that can be granted, as compared to current practice, by redefining: (a) the determination of the area of a waiver; (b) whether there is a lack of sufficient jobs; (c) the calculation of the required unemployment rate; and also by limiting the practice of states carrying forward a balance of unused annual waiver requests from one federal fiscal year to the next.   

International Trade: USMCA Signed by United States, Mexico and Canada
On December 10, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced that the United States, Mexico, and Canada reached an agreement to amend the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) signed November 30, 2018. The text of the USMCA as signed on November 30, 2018, and an unsigned document dated December 10, 2019, titled “Protocol of Amendment,” are available on the website of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, along with a fact sheet titled “Agriculture: Dairy Outcomes of USMC Agreement.” A document identified as the document signed on December 10, 2019, has not yet been released in electronic format at this time. The official webpage for the USMCA can be found here.

International Trade: Japan Approves October Trade Agreement with United States
On December 4, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced that Japan’s Diet (equivalent to its Parliament) approved an October 2019 trade agreement with the United States, expected to be put into effect January 1, 2020, which more widely opens Japanese markets to U.S. agricultural products.  For example, it reduces tariffs on U.S. beef in stages from a current 38.5% to 9% by 2033

From National Ag Law Experts: 
Brigit Rollins, Redefined: WOTUS Controversy Continues (December 5, 2019). 

Penn State Research:
Jamie Oberdick, Artificial Cells Act More Like the Real Thing (December 5, 2019).

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture:

Pennsylvania Executive Agencies—Actions and Notices: 
Department of Environmental Protection 
49 Pa.B. 7249 “Availability of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities (PAG-02),” Notice (December 7, 2019). 
49 Pa.B. 7260 “Environmental Assessment Approval for PENNVEST Funding Consideration,” Notice (December 7, 2019). 
49 Pa.B. 7180 “The Clean Streams Law and the Federal Clean Water Act:
Applications for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits and Water Quality Management (WQM) Permits,” Notice—Applications (December 7, 2019). 

Pennsylvania Legislature
S.B. 973 “An Act authorizing senior citizens to claim a reduction of property taxes by 25% on certain real property; and providing for termination of the reduction,Referred to Finance (December 3, 2019). 
H.B. 2040 “An Act providing for the PA Second Chance Jobs website and for powers and duties of the Department of Labor and Industry,” Laid on the Table (December 9, 2019). 
H.B. 2114 “An Act amending the act of February 22, 1855 (P.L.46, No.50), entitled "An act to incorporate the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania," further providing for management by board of trustees, for membership, name and power of board of trustees and for meeting, terms and successors of board of trustee,” Referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs (December 9, 2019). 
H.B. 1223 “An Act providing for the creation of keystone opportunity dairy zones to facilitate the economic development of Pennsylvania's dairy industry; authorizing expenditures; providing tax exemptions, tax deductions, tax abatements and tax credits; creating additional obligations of the Commonwealth and local governmental units; and prescribing powers and duties of certain State and local departments, agencies and officials,” Removed from Table, House (December 10, 2019). 
H.B. 1224 “An Act amending the act of April 28, 1937 (P.L.417, No.105), known as the Milk Marketing Law, in purpose, short title and definitions, further providing for definitions and construction; in general powers of the board, providing for coordination with Department of Revenue; and, in prices of milk, further providing for cooperatives,” Removed from Table, House (December 10, 2019). 
H.B. 2119 “An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for definitions; in personal income tax, further providing for imposition of tax; and providing for Universal Property Tax Rebate Program,” Referred to Finance (December 10, 2019). 

Federal Executive Agencies—Actions and Notices: 
Agriculture Department 
84 FR 67424 “Performance Review Board Membership,” Notice (December 10, 2019). 

Agricultural Marketing Service 
84 FR 67242 “Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (December 9, 2019). 
84 FR 66870 “Tobacco Inspection and Grading Services: Notice of Request for an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection,” Notice—Comment Period (December 6, 2019). 
84 FR 67423 “Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection for Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico,” Notice—Comment Period (December 10, 2019). 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
84 FR 66631 “National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (December 5, 2019). 

Energy Department
84 FR 67438 “Draft Environmental Assessment for the Commercial Disposal of Defense Waste Processing Facility Recycle Wastewater From the Savannah River Site,” Notice—Comment Period (December 10, 2019). 
84 FR 67435 “Final Determination Regarding Energy Efficiency Improvements in the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC),” Notice—Comment Period (December 10, 2019). 

Environmental Protection Agency
84 FR 66626 “Etoxazole; Pesticide Tolerances,” Rule—Comments Accepted (December 5, 2019). 
84 FR 66620 “Fenpyroximate; Pesticide Tolerances,” Rule—Comments Accepted (December 5, 2019). 
84 FR 66616 “Propamocarb; Pesticide Tolerances,” Rule—Comments Accepted (December 5, 2019). 

Farm Credit Administration
84 FR 66403 “Sunshine Act Meeting; Farm Credit Administration Board,” Notice (December 4, 2019). 

Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation
84 FR 66667 “Regular Meeting; Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation Board,” Notice (December 5, 2019). 

Federal Communications Commission
84 FR 67220 “Connect America Fund,” Rule (December 9, 2019). 

Fish and Wildlife Service 
84 FR 67060 “Endangered Species Status for Beardless Chinchweed With Designation of Critical Habitat, and Threatened Species Status for Bartram's Stonecrop With Section 4(d) Rule,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (December 6, 2019).
84 FR 67292 “Proposed Upper Santa Ana River Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement; San Bernardino County, CA,” Notice—Comment Period (December 9, 2019). 

Food and Drug Administration
84 FR 66782 “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents,” Rule (December 5, 2019). 

Food and Nutrition Service
84 FR 67424 “Request for information: Self-Determination Demonstration Project for Tribes That Administer the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations,” Notice—Comment Period (December 10, 2019). 

Health Resources and Services Administration
84 FR 67275 “Data Collection Tool for State Offices of Rural Health Grant Program, OMB No. 0915-0322-Revision,” Notice—Comment Period (December 9, 2019). 

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Actions: 
H.R.5362 “To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize spittlebug research and extension grants, and for other purposes,” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture  (December 9, 2019). 
H.R.5349 “To prevent the changing of regulations governing the provision of waivers under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes,” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (December 6, 2019). 
H.R.5311 “To amend the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to renew the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council and to amend the Act of October 14, 1980 to remove the limitation on the transfer of amounts available under the reforestation trust fund, and for other purposes,” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (December 5, 2019). 
H.Res.742 “Recognizing the continued success of the Food for Peace Act” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture (December 5, 2019). 
H.R.5040 “AIR Safety Act of 2019,” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (December 4, 2019). 
H.R.5064 “Animal Disease Surveillance and Detection Act of 2019,” Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture (December 4, 2019). 
H.R.5077 “Resurveys Entitle Adjacent Landowners to Protection Act,” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (December 4, 2019). 
H.R.5091 “Wildfire Defense Act,” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (December 4, 2019). 
H.R.5100 “Drought Relief through Innovative Projects Act of 2019,” Referred to the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research (December 4, 2019). 

U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, And Forestry Committee Actions: 
No new actions December 5-7, 2019. 
S.2933 “A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to require a review of current exemptions granted to foreign entities in response to an attempt by a foreign authority to exercise direct supervisory authority over a domestic derivatives clearing organization, Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (November 21, 2019). 

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