Subject: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation: 2000-Crop Disaster Program File: B-287582 Date: April 24, 2001

Subject: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation: 2000-Crop Disaster Program File: B-287582 Date: April 24, 2001

The Honorable Richard G. Lugar Chairman The Honorable Tom Harkin Ranking Member Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry United States Senate

The Honorable Larry Combest Chairman The Honorable Charles W. Stenholm Ranking Minority Member Committee on Agriculture House of Representatives

Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), entitled "2000-Crop Disaster Program" (RIN: 0560-AG36). We received the rule on April 10, 2001. It was published in the Federal Register as a final rule on March 21, 2001. 66 Fed. Reg. 15976.

The final rule implements provisions of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 related to crop-loss disaster assistance for producers who, because of adverse weather or other specified conditions, suffered 2000-crop losses and other particular crop-year losses.

Enclosed is our assessment of the CCC's compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. Our review indicates that the CCC complied with the applicable requirements.

If you have any questions about this report, please contact James W. Vickers, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-8210. The official responsible for GAO evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule is Robert Robinson, Managing Director, Natural Resources and Environment. Mr. Robinson can be reached at (202) 512-3841.

signed

Kathleen E. Wannisky
Managing Associate General Counsel

Enclosure

cc: Mr. James R. Little
Acting Administrator
Farm Service Agency
Department of Agriculture

ENCLOSURE

ANALYSIS UNDER 5 U.S.C. Sec. 801(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iv) OF A MAJOR RULE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION ENTITLED "2000-CROP DISASTER PROGRAM" (RIN: 0560-AG36)

(i) Cost-benefit analysis

CCC conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the final rule. Crop losses under the 2000 program are expected to be about $2 billion.

(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. Secs. 603-605, 607, and 609

CCC notes that since the final rule was not published as a notice of proposed rulemaking, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act do not apply.

(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202-205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. Secs. 1532-1535

As defined in title II, the final rule does not contain either an intergovernmental or private sector mandate of more than $100 million in any one year.

(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. Secs. 551 et seq.

Section 840 of the authorizing legislation, Pub. L. 106-387, permitted the final rule to be issued without regard to the notice and comment procedures contained at 5 U.S.C. 553.

Likewise, section 840 permits the Secretary to use the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 808, which provide for an exception to the requirement that a major rule have a 60-day delay in its effective date for congressional review.

Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Secs. 3501-3520

Section 840 of the authorizing legislation permits the final rule to be promulgated without regard to the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. However, the 60- day public comment period and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval are still required after the rule is published.

The final rule is promulgated under the authority contained in Public Law 106-387 including sections 804, 811, and 815.

Executive Order No. 12866

The final rule was reviewed by OMB and found to be an "economically significant" regulatory action.