Justification for Change Pistachios Ballots 2017

Justification of Change Worksheet

Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico

OMB No. 0581-0215

Marketing Order No. 983

July 2017

This change worksheet modifies four forms related to the Federal marketing order for pistachios grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico and currently approved under OMB No. 0581-0215. The Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) would like to improve the forms in the nomination process. All changes are cosmetic in nature and will not affect the burden. The changes are for clarity and conformity with all other forms and provide ease for the applicant to complete.

There are three types of forms related to the annual election process for Committee. First, Committee solicits nominations through the producer and handler nomination forms (SC-245 and SC-245A). Next, nominees fill out the Qualification and Acceptance form (SC-243). Finally, producers and handlers vote for nominees of their choosing with the producer and handler ballots (SC-244 and SC-246).

Producer Member Nomination Form SC-245

This form will now have space for the nominating producer to provide “Years in the Pistachio business” and “Organic Producer” information for the nominee and themselves. The Committee will use this extra information for record keeping purposes.

Handler Member Nomination Form SC-245A

This form will now have space for the nominating handler to provide “Years in the Pistachio business” and “Organic handler” information for the nominee and themselves. The Committee will use this extra information for record keeping purposes.

Qualification and Acceptance Form SC-243

SC-243 moved the ‘Return By’ notice from the instructions side to the ballot side. The new form as has a check box for District, “Are your gross receipts from farming greater than $750,000 annually?” and “Are you an Organic Producer?” The Committee is requesting this additional information for record keeping purposes.

Handler Ballot Form SC-244

The new SC-244 adds clarifying information to the HANDLER POSITION INSTRUCTIONS “OR Each handler entity is entitled to one vote with each vote weighted equally”.