USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule to Increase the Assessment Rate for Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas
What: On January 15, 2025, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a proposed rule that would increase the assessment rate for Texas-grown oranges and grapefruit from $0.03 to $0.04 per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent.
Why: AMS has prepared an initial regulatory flexibility analysis for the rulemaking outlining the costs and impacts to small businesses. The analysis states the proposed rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses primarily from the increased assessment obligation imposed on handlers. AMS states the assessments are applied uniformly to all handlers, and some of the costs may be passed on to growers. The proposed rule states the costs are expected to be offset by the derived benefits which include the income generated from handler assessments, along with expected interest income.
AMS is requesting comments on the rule, and small businesses are encouraged to provide detailed information on the direct cost implications and whether any regulatory alternatives would minimize the impact on small entities.
Action: Comments are due by February 14, 2025.
Read the proposed rule and submit comments.
Advocacy contact: Send an email to Shanerika Flemings at shanerika.flemings@sba.gov.