Feds Propose Penny Tax Hike on Texas Oranges Forever
Published Date: 1/15/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you grow oranges or grapefruit in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley, get ready to chip in a bit more! The fee per carton is proposed to go up from 3 cents to 4 cents starting in 2024-2025 and will stay that way unless changed later. This helps support the local citrus industry, and comments on this change are open until February 14, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Assessment Rate Raised to $0.04/Carton
If you handle oranges or grapefruit grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, the assessment you pay would increase from $0.03 to $0.04 per 7/10-bushel carton (effective August 1, 2024) and remain in effect for the 2024-2025 and subsequent fiscal periods unless changed. The increase is $0.01 per carton and was proposed to cover program expenses.
Assessment Funds Cover Budget, Replenish Reserves
The Committee recommends the $0.04 assessment so that, with an estimated 4,000,000 7/10-bushel cartons, assessments would generate $160,000 to cover the Committee's $134,970 budget for 2024-2025 and replenish reserves. The increase is intended to ensure the Committee can fund management, compliance, and administrative expenses listed in the budget.
Producers May Bear Small Share of Cost
The rule increases the assessment obligation on handlers and the document states that some of these costs may be passed on to producers. At the $0.04 rate and an estimated average producer price of $14.15 per carton, the assessment would be about 0.2 percent of producer revenue per carton.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20735, Extensions of Credit to Insiders
The FDIC is giving banks and insiders more time to share their thoughts on new rules about loans to insiders by extending the comment deadline to November 4, 2026. These rules aim to keep lending fair and safe, especially when insiders like executives or board members borrow money. If you’re involved with banks or interested in fair lending, now’s your chance to speak up before the final rules are set!
2026-20790, Application of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to the Refunded Portion of Certain Federal Refundable Tax Credits; Hearing Cancellation
The IRS canceled a public hearing set for October 14, 2026, about new rules on how certain refunded tax credits count as federal benefits under a 1996 law. This affects individuals who get refundable tax credits, clarifying how those refunds are treated but with no immediate money changes. Since no one signed up to speak, the hearing won’t happen, but the proposed rules are still out for public comment.
2026-20721, Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods: Enforcement Policy for Certain Retail Food Establishments and Restaurants; Draft Guidance for Industry; Availability
The FDA is sharing a draft plan about new food tracking rules that mostly won’t apply to certain stores and restaurants right now. If you run a retail food place or restaurant, you don’t have to worry about extra paperwork just yet, but the FDA wants your feedback by November 23, 2026. This helps them decide the final rules without causing extra costs or hassle for small businesses.
2026-20650, Low-Value Shipments
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is proposing new rules to make importing low-value goods (under $2,500) easier and more electronic, especially for mail shipments. They want to add new data requirements for carriers and require bonds for some shipments to keep things safe and smooth. If you’re involved in shipping or receiving small packages, get ready to adapt by December 7, 2026, when comments on these changes close.
2026-20660, Optional Practical Training Fees
Starting soon, international students using Optional Practical Training (OPT) will face new fees: $70,000 for their first OPT and $30,000 for any extra OPT periods. This change aims to stop fraud and protect U.S. workers. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by November 9, 2026!
2026-20677, Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters
The FAA wants to update rules for helicopters with radio altimeters because 5G signals in Canada can mess with their readings. Pilots will need to follow new flight manual limits when flying in Canadian airspace to keep things safe. Comments on this change are open until November 23, 2026, and it mainly affects helicopter operators flying near Canada.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2024-31626, Air Plan Approval; Kansas; Annual Emission Inventory and Fees
The EPA is proposing to approve Kansas’s updated rules for tracking pollution and charging fees to keep their air permit program running smoothly. These changes add a new fee category and update existing fees, making sure Kansas stays in sync with federal rules without affecting air quality. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until February 14, 2025, to speak up!
Next: 2025-00325, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of the Grizzly Bear in the Lower-48 States
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviewed a request to create and remove a special grizzly bear group in the Greater Yellowstone area from protection. They found that this group doesn’t qualify as a separate population, so they won’t change its protected status right now. This decision, made in January 2025, keeps protections in place for grizzlies in the lower-48 states, ensuring their safety continues without new costs or deadlines.