What did Agriculture Department publish on Dec. 30?

The US Agriculture Department published an eight page proposed rule on Dec. 30, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The proposed rule is focused on Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Electrification or Telephone Purposes.

The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.

Notices are required documents detailing rules and regulations being proposed by each federal department. This allows the public to see what issues legislators and federal departments are focusing on.

Any person or organization can comment on the proposed rules. Departments and agencies must then address “significant issues raised in comments and discuss any changes made,” the Federal Register says.

Notices published by the Agriculture Department on Dec. 30

Title
Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.; Final Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2003-2004 Crop Year for Tart Cherries
Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Electrification or Telephone Purposes
Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation; Applicability to the Tongass National Forest, Alaska
Proposed Rule To Exempt Organic Producers and Marketers From Assessments for Market Promotion Activities Under Marketing Order Programs
Office of Procurement and Property Management (OPPM); Uniform Procedures for the Acquisition and Transfer of Excess Personal Property
Pistachios Grown in California; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Marketing Agreement and Order No. 983