USDA polls cotton world on dusty 1990 law tweaks
Published Date: 9/4/2026
Notice
Summary
As provided for by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendments of 1990, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing its intention to conduct a review to ascertain whether a referendum is needed to determine whether producers and importers favor continuation of five specific amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Order). This notice invites all interested parties to submit written comments to the Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department). USDA will consider these comments in determining whether a referendum is warranted on the five specific amendments.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Assessments on Imported Cotton
The program is financed through assessments levied on both domestic and imported cotton and cotton-containing products; one 1990 amendment explicitly provides for assessing imported cotton and cotton products. If you import cotton or cotton products, assessments under this Order apply to those imports.
Producers Lose Refund Right
One 1990 amendment terminates the right of a producer to demand a refund of assessments. If you are a cotton producer, you would no longer be able to demand a refund of assessments collected under the program.
2026 Review and Referendum Process
In 2026 the Secretary of Agriculture will review the 1990 amendments and decide whether a referendum is needed. If a referendum is required, the Secretary will hold it within 12 months after announcing the decision; if not, a sign-up period will be offered and a referendum will be held if requested by 10 percent or more of those who voted in the most recent referendum, provided no more than 20 percent of requests come from any one State or from importers of cotton.
Importer Representation on Cotton Board
The 1990 amendments provided for importer representation on the 37-member Cotton Board, so importers have designated seats and alternates on the Board alongside producers. If you are an importer of cotton, this amendment affects who represents importers in program decisions.
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
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18059, Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Continuance Referendum
Christmas tree growers and importers who handled 500+ trees between Sept 2025 and March 2026 will vote from Oct 1-16, 2026, on whether to keep the national Christmas tree research and promotion program going. This program helps support marketing and research efforts funded by assessments on these producers. If they vote yes, the program continues without changes, keeping the support and fees in place.
2026-17715, Honey Packers and Importers; Increased Assessment Rate
Starting September 1, 2026, honey packers and importers will pay a bit more for each pound of honey they handle—going from 1.5 cents to 1.75 cents, then jumping to 2 cents on January 1, 2027. This change helps fund programs that support the honey industry and will stay in place until further notice. If you’re in the honey business, get ready to chip in a little extra to keep the buzz going!
2026-17511, Olives Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
This final rule implements a recommendation from the California Olive Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2025 and subsequent fiscal years from $28 to $24 per ton of assessable olives grown in California. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
2026-17510, Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Modification of Handling Regulations
This final rule implements a recommendation from the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee) to update the marketing order regulating the handling of sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington. This final rule increases the minimum size requirements for all sweet cherry varieties, except the Rainier, Royal Anne, and similar varieties, commonly referred to as "light sweet cherries." In addition, this final rule removes one row count/row size designation, adds two new row count/row size designations, and revises the title of the table in the marketing order's pack requirements table.
2026-17512, Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.; Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2024-2025 Crop Year
Tart cherry growers and handlers in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin will see new rules for the 2024-2025 crop year that set how many cherries can be sold freely and how many are restricted. These changes aim to balance supply with demand, helping keep prices steady and boosting growers' earnings. The new rules kick in on September 28, 2026, so everyone can plan ahead and keep the cherry market sweet!
2026-17376, Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection for Commodities Covered by the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the currently approved information collection used to compile and generate cattle, swine, lamb, boxed beef, and wholesale pork Market News reports under the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 (1999 Act) (OMB 0581-0186).
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18125, Agency Information Collection Activity under OMB Review: Application for Refund of Educational Contributions
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden, and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Next: 2026-18129, Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is issuing this notice to inform the public of the names of the members of the Agency's Senior Executive Service (SES) Performance Review Board.