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USDA/AgSEC RIN: 0503-AA51 Publication ID: Fall 2013 
Title: Revocation of Statement of Policy on Public Participation in Rulemaking 
Abstract: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to revoke a statement of policy it published in the Federal Register in 1971 waiving section 553(a)(2) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which specifically exempts from the APA's notice and comment rulemaking requirements (5 U.S.C. sections 553(b),(c)) matters "relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts." 5 U.S.C. section 553(a)(2) (emphasis added). See Statement of Policy, "Public Participation in Rule Making" (36 Fed. Reg. 13804 (July 24, 1971)). Specifically, the statement of policy waived the section 553(a)(2) exemption with respect to those matters emphasized in the language quoted above. As a result of this statement of policy, for over four decades USDA agencies have been required to engage in notice and comment rulemaking for those matters. Once the statement is revoked, except where otherwise required by law, USDA agencies will have the discretion to decide whether or not to follow notice and comment procedures when engaging in rulemakings relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. 
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: None     (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: sec 553(a)(2) of the Administrative Procedure Act   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Notice  06/03/2013  78 FR 33045   
Comment Period End  07/03/2013 
Final Action  10/28/2013  78 FR 64194   
Final Action Effective  10/28/2013 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Adam Hermann
Attorney-Advisor, Office of General Counsel
Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250
Phone:202 720-9425
Email: adam.hermann@ogc.usda.gov