CHAPTER 19—COTTON STATISTICS AND ESTIMATES

        

§471. Statistics and estimates of grades and staple length of cotton; collection and publication

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized and directed to collect and publish annually, on dates to be announced by him, statistics or estimates concerning the grades and staple length of stocks of cotton, known as the carry-over, on hand on the 1st of August of each year in warehouses and other establishments of every character in the continental United States; and following such publication each year, to publish, at intervals in his discretion, his estimate of the grades and staple length of cotton of the then current crop: Provided, That not less than three such estimates shall be published with respect to each crop. In any such statistics or estimates published, the cotton which on the date for which such statistics are published may be recognized as tenderable on contracts of sale of cotton for future delivery under the United States Cotton Futures Act, shall be stated separately from that which may be untenderable under said Act.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §1, 44 Stat. 1372.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The United States Cotton Futures Act, referred to in text, is part A of act Aug. 11, 1916, ch. 313, 39 Stat. 476, which was repealed by section 4 of act Feb. 10, 1939, ch. 2, 53 Stat. 1. For complete classification of this Act to the Code prior to its repeal, see Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–108, §1, Aug. 20, 1987, 101 Stat. 728, provided: "That this Act [amending section 473a of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 473a of this title] may be cited as the 'Uniform Cotton Classing Fees Act of 1987'."

Short Title

Act Mar. 3, 1927, which enacted sections 471 to 474 and amended sections 475 and 476 of this title, is popularly known as the "Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act".

§472. Information furnished of confidential character; penalty for divulging information

The information furnished by any individual establishment under the provisions of this chapter shall be considered as strictly confidential and shall be used only for the statistical purpose for which it is supplied. Any employee of the Department of Agriculture who, without the written authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, shall publish or communicate any information given into his possession by reason of his employment under the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than $300 or more than $1,000, or imprisoned for a period of not exceeding one year, or both so fined and imprisoned, at the discretion of the court.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §2, 44 Stat. 1373.)

§473. Persons required to furnish information; request; failure to furnish; false information

It shall be the duty of every owner, president, treasurer, secretary, director, or other officer or agent of any cotton warehouse, cotton ginnery, cotton mill, or other place or establishment where cotton is stored, whether conducted as a corporation, firm, limited partnership, or individual, and of any owner or holder of any cotton and of the agents and representatives of any such owner or holder, when requested by the Secretary of Agriculture or by any special agent or other employee of the Department of Agriculture acting under the instructions of said Secretary to furnish completely and correctly, to the best of his knowledge, all of the information concerning the grades and staple length of cotton on hand, and when requested to permit such agent or employee of the Department of Agriculture to examine and classify samples of all such cotton on hand. The request of the Secretary of Agriculture for such information may be made in writing or by a visiting representative, and if made in writing shall be forwarded by registered mail, or by certified mail and the registry receipt or receipt for certified mail of the United States Postal Service shall be accepted as evidence of such demand. Any owner, president, treasurer, secretary, director, or other officer or agent of any cotton warehouse, cotton ginnery, cotton mill, or other place or establishment where cotton is stored, or any owner or holder of any cotton or the agent or representative of any such owner or holder, who, under the conditions hereinbefore stated, shall refuse or willfully neglect to furnish any information herein provided for or shall willfully give answers that are false or shall refuse to allow agents or employees of the Department of Agriculture to examine or classify any cotton in store in any such establishment, or in the hands of any owner or holder or of the agent or representative of any such owner or holder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $300 or more than $1,000.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §3, 44 Stat. 1373; Pub. L. 86–507, §1(3), June 11, 1960, 74 Stat. 200; Pub. L. 91–375, §§4(a), 6(o), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 773, 783.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1960—Pub. L. 86–507 inserted "or by certified mail" after "registered mail", and "or receipt for certified mail" after "registry receipt."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

"United States Postal Service" substituted in text for "Post Office Department" pursuant to Pub. L. 91–375, §§4(a), 6(o), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 773, 783, which are set out as notes preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal Service, and under section 201 of Title 39, respectively, which abolished Post Office Department, transferred its functions to United States Postal Service, and provided that references in other laws to Post Office Department shall be considered a reference to United States Postal Service.

§473a. Cotton classification services

(a) In general

The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the "Secretary") shall—

(1) make cotton classification services available to producers of cotton; and

(2) provide for the collection of classification fees from participating producers or agents that voluntarily agree to collect and remit the fees on behalf of producers.

(b) Fees

(1) Use of fees

Classification fees collected under subsection (a)(2) and the proceeds from the sales of samples submitted under this section shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be used to pay the cost of the services provided under this section, including administrative and supervisory costs.

(2) Announcement of fees

The Secretary shall announce a uniform classification fee and any applicable surcharge for classification services not later than June 1 of the year in which the fee applies.

(c) Consultation

(1) In general

In establishing the amount of fees under this section, the Secretary shall consult with representatives of the United States cotton industry.

(2) Exemption

Chapter 10 of title 5 shall not apply to consultations with representatives of the United States cotton industry under this section.

(d) Crediting of fees

Any fees collected under this section and under section 473d of this title, late payment penalties, the proceeds from the sales of samples, and interest earned from the investment of such funds shall—

(1) be credited to the current appropriation account that incurs the cost of services provided under this section and section 473d of this title; and

(2) remain available without fiscal year limitation to pay the expenses of the Secretary in providing those services.

(e) Investment of funds

Funds described in subsection (d) may be invested—

(1) by the Secretary in insured or fully collateralized, interest-bearing accounts; or

(2) at the discretion of the Secretary, by the Secretary of the Treasury in United States Government debt instruments.

(f) Lease agreements

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may enter into long-term lease agreements that exceed 5 years or may take title to property (including through purchase agreements) for the purpose of obtaining offices to be used for the classification of cotton in accordance with this chapter, if the Secretary determines that action would best effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(g) Authorization of appropriations

To the extent that financing is not available from fees and the proceeds from the sales of samples, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §3a, as added Apr. 13, 1937, ch. 75, 50 Stat. 62; amended Pub. L. 97–35, title I, §156(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 373; Pub. L. 98–403, §1, Aug. 28, 1984, 98 Stat. 1479; Pub. L. 100–108, §2, Aug. 20, 1987, 101 Stat. 728; Pub. L. 102–237, title I, §120(a)–(c), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1842, 1843; Pub. L. 104–127, title IX, §912(a), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1185; Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10801(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 525; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIV, §14201, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1457; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XIV, §14201, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2219; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(23), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4307.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "Chapter 10 of title 5" for "The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)".

2008—Pub. L. 110–246, §14201, inserted section catchline and amended text generally, substituting provisions consisting of subsecs. (a) to (g) for former undesignated provisions which related to cotton classification services in fiscal years 1992 through 2007.

2002—Pub. L. 107–171 substituted "2007" for "2002" in first sentence.

1996—Pub. L. 104–127 substituted "2002" for "1996" in first sentence.

1991—Pub. L. 102–237, §120(c), amended third sentence generally. Prior to amendment, third sentence read as follows: "Special classification services provided at the request of the producer shall not be subject to the restrictions specified in clauses (1), (2), and (3) of the preceding sentence."

Pub. L. 102–237, §120(b)(2), added cl. (7) and struck out former cl. (7). Text read as follows: "the Secretary shall announce the uniform classification fee and any surcharge for the crop not later than June 1 of the year in which the fee applies, except that for fiscal year 1987, such announcement shall be made as soon as practicable following enactment of this proviso."

Pub. L. 102–237, §120(b)(1), added cls. (1) and (2) and struck out former cls. (1) and (2). Text read as follows: "(1) the uniform per bale classification fee to be collected from producers, or their agents, for such classification service in any year shall be the uniform fee collected in the previous year, exclusive of adjustments to such fee made in the previous year under clauses (2), (3), and (4) of this proviso, and as may be adjusted by the percentage change in the Implicit Price Deflator for Gross National Product as indexed during the most recent twelve-month period for which statistics are available; (2) the fee calculated in accordance with clause (1) for a crop year may be increased by an amount not to exceed 1 per centum for every 100,000 running bales, or portion thereof, that the Secretary estimates will be produced in such crop year below the level of 12,500,000 running bales, or decreased by an amount not to exceed 1 per centum for every 100,000 running bales, or portion thereof, that the Secretary estimates will be produced in such crop year above the level of 12,500,000 running bales;".

Pub. L. 102–237, §120(a), amended first sentence generally. Prior to amendment, first sentence read as follows: "Effective for the fiscal years ending September 30, 1987, September 30, 1988, September 30, 1989, September 30, 1990, September 30, 1991, and September 30, 1992, the Secretary of Agriculture shall make cotton classification services available to producers of cotton and shall provide for the collection of classification fees from participating producers, or agents who voluntarily agree to collect and remit the fees on behalf of producers."

1987—Pub. L. 100–108 amended first sentence generally, substituting "September 30, 1987, September 30, 1988, September 30, 1989, September 30, 1990, September 30, 1991, and September 30, 1992" for "September 30, 1985, September 30, 1986, September 30, 1987, and September 30, 1988" and striking out "from" before "agents who voluntarily agree", in second sentence inserted first proviso and struck out former first proviso which read as follows: "That (1) the uniform per bale classification fee to be collected from producers, or their agents, for such classification service in any year shall not exceed the uniform fee collected in the previous year by more than the percentage increase in the Implicit Price Deflator for Gross National Product as indexed during the most recent twelve-month period for which official statistics are available, and (2) the uniform per bale classification fee shall not be increased for any year if the accumulated reserve exceeds 20 per centum of the cost of the classification program in the previous year", and in third sentence substituted "clauses (1), (2), and (3)" for "clauses (1) and (2)".

1984—Pub. L. 98–403 substituted provisions requiring the Secretary to make classification service available to producers and to set and collect fees for provisions establishing similar requirements effective for fiscal years ending Sept. 30, 1982, 1983, and 1984.

1981—Pub. L. 97–35 substituted provisions effective for fiscal years ending Sept. 30, 1982, 1983, and 1984, requiring the Secretary to make classification services available to producers, and to set and collect fees, for provisions authorizing the Secretary to determine and make available classification procedures.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.

Effective and Termination Dates of 1991 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–237, title I, §120(e), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1842, provided that subsections (a), (b), and (c) of that section, and the amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) to this section, were effective for the period beginning on Dec. 13, 1991, and ending on September 30, 1996, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10801(b)(3), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 525.

Effective and Termination Dates of 1987 Amendment

That part of Pub. L. 100–108, §2, Aug. 20, 1987, 101 Stat. 728, which provided that the amendment made by Pub. L. 100–108 was effective for the period beginning Aug. 20, 1987, and ending Sept. 30, 1992, was repealed by Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10801(b)(2), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 525.

Effective and Termination Dates of 1984 Amendment

That part of Pub. L. 98–403, [§1], Aug. 28, 1984, 98 Stat. 1479, which provided that the amendment made by Pub. L. 98–403 was effective for the period beginning Oct. 1, 1984, and ending Sept. 30, 1988, was repealed by Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10801(b)(1), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 525.

Effective and Termination Dates of 1981 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–35, title I, §156(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 373, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective only for the fiscal years ending Sept. 30, 1982, Sept. 30, 1983, and Sept. 30, 1984.

[Provisions of section 156 of Pub. L. 97–35 effective Oct. 1, 1981, see section 156(e) of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as an Effective Date note under section 61a of this title.]

Short Title

Act Apr. 13, 1937, which enacted sections 473a to 473c of this title, is popularly known as the "Cotton Classification Act".

Study on Processing Certain Cotton Grades

Pub. L. 100–108, §3, Aug. 20, 1987, 101 Stat. 729, which directed Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of differences between processing efficiency and product quality for Light Spotted and White grade cottons and also conduct a survey and research to determine why an increasing proportion of cotton crop was being classified as Light Spotted, with an initial report describing results of studies to be submitted not later than Oct. 1, 1988, to Committee on Agriculture of House of Representatives and Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of Senate, and a final report to be submitted to such committees as soon as practicable after submission of initial report, was repealed by Pub. L. 102–237, title I, §120(d), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1843.

§473b. Market supply, demand, condition and prices; collection and publication of information

The Secretary of Agriculture is also authorized and directed to collect, authenticate, publish, and distribute, by telegraph, radio, mail, or otherwise, timely information on the market supply, demand, location, condition, and market prices for cotton, and to cause to be prepared regularly and distributed for posting at gins, in post offices, or in other public or conspicuous places in cotton-growing communities, information on prices for the various grades and staple lengths of cotton.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §3b, as added Apr. 13, 1937, ch. 75, 50 Stat. 62.)

§473c. Rules and regulations

The Secretary of Agriculture is further authorized to make such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §3c, as added Apr. 13, 1937, ch. 75, 50 Stat. 62.)

§473c–1. Offenses in relation to sampling of cotton for classification

It shall be unlawful—

(a) for any person sampling cotton for classification under this chapter knowingly to sample cotton improperly, or to identify cotton samples improperly, or to accept money or other consideration, directly or indirectly, for any neglect or improper performance of duty as a sampler;

(b) for any person to influence improperly or to attempt to influence improperly or to forcibly assault, resist, impede, or interfere with any sampler in the taking of samples for classification under this chapter;

(c) for any person knowingly to alter or cause to be altered a sample taken for classification under this chapter by any means such as trimming, peeling, or dressing the sample, or by removing any leaf, trash, dust, or other material from the sample for the purpose of misrepresenting the actual quality of the bale from which the sample was taken;

(d) for any person knowingly to cause, or attempt to cause, the issuance of a false or misleading certificate or memorandum of classification under this chapter by deceptive baling, handling, or sampling of cotton, or by any other means, or by submitting samples of such cotton for classification knowing that the cotton has been so baled, handled, or sampled;

(e) for any person knowingly to submit more than one sample from the same bale of cotton for classification under this chapter, except a second sample submitted for review classification;

(f) for any person knowingly to operate or adjust a mechanical cotton sampler in such a manner that a representative sample is not drawn from each bale; and

(g) for any person knowingly to violate any regulation of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to the sampling of cotton made pursuant to section 473c of this title.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §3c–1, as added Pub. L. 86–588, July 5, 1960, 74 Stat. 328.)

§473c–2. Penalties for offenses relating to sampling of cotton

Any person violating any provision of section 473c–1 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §3c–2, as added Pub. L. 86–588, July 5, 1960, 74 Stat. 329.)

§473c–3. Liability of principal for act of agent

In construing and enforcing the provisions of this chapter, the act, omission, or failure of any agent, officer, or other person acting for or employed by an individual, association, partnership, corporation, or firm, within the scope of his employment or office, shall be deemed to be the act, omission, or failure of the individual, association, partnership, corporation, or firm, as well as that of the person.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §3c–3, as added Pub. L. 86–588, July 5, 1960, 74 Stat. 329.)

§473d. Quality tests and analyses by Secretary for breeders and others; fees

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make analyses of fiber properties, spinning tests, and other tests of the quality of cotton samples submitted to him by cotton breeders and other persons, subject to such terms and conditions and to the payment by such cotton breeders and other persons of such fees as he may prescribe by regulations under this chapter. The fees to be assessed hereunder shall be reasonable, and, as nearly as may be, to cover the cost of the service rendered.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §3d, as added Apr. 7, 1941, ch. 42, 55 Stat. 131.)

§474. Powers of Secretary of Agriculture; appropriation

The Secretary of Agriculture may cooperate with any department or agency of the Government, any State, Territory, District, or possession, or department, agency, or political subdivision thereof, or any person; and shall have the power to appoint, remove, and fix the compensation of such officers and employees, not in conflict with existing law, and make such expenditures for the purchase of samples of cotton, for rent outside the District of Columbia, printing, telegrams, telephones, books of reference, periodicals, furniture, stationery, office equipment, travel, and other supplies and expenses as shall be necessary to the administration of this chapter in the District of Columbia and elsewhere and there are authorized to be appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated such sums as may be necessary for such purposes. The Secretary of Agriculture shall maintain until at least January 1, 1999, all cotton classing office locations in the State of Missouri that existed on January 1, 1996.

(Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §4, 44 Stat. 1373; Pub. L. 104–127, title IX, §912(b), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1185.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–127 inserted at end "The Secretary of Agriculture shall maintain until at least January 1, 1999, all cotton classing office locations in the State of Missouri that existed on January 1, 1996."

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Functions of all officers, agencies, and employees of Department of Agriculture transferred, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of Agriculture by 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 2, §1, eff. June 4, 1953, 18 F.R. 3219, 67 Stat. 633, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.

§475. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, §870, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1175

Section, acts May 3, 1924, ch. 149, §1, 43 Stat. 115; Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §5, 44 Stat. 1373; Aug. 8, 1946, ch. 909, 60 Stat. 940; May 29, 1958, Pub. L. 85–430, §2, 72 Stat. 149; June 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–331, §1, 86 Stat. 400, directed Secretary of Agriculture to issue cotton crop reports at certain times during growing and harvesting season.

§476. Acreage reports

The Secretary of Agriculture shall cause to be issued a report on or before the 12th day of July of each year showing by States and in toto the estimated acreage of cotton planted, to be followed on or before the 12th day of August with an estimate of the acreage for harvest and on or before the 12th day of December with an estimate of the harvested acreage.

(May 27, 1912, ch. 135, §1, 37 Stat. 118; Mar. 3, 1927, ch. 337, §6, 44 Stat. 1374; Pub. L. 85–430, §1, May 29, 1958, 72 Stat. 149; Pub. L. 92–331, §2, June 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 400.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act which enacted sections 471 to 474 of this title and amended sections 475 and 476 of this title.

Section was formerly classified to section 412 of this title.

Amendments

1972—Pub. L. 92–331 substituted "12th" for "10th", "on or before the 12th day of August" for "on August 1", and "on or before the 12th day of December" for "on December 1".

1958—Pub. L. 85–430 substituted provisions requiring report to show estimated acreage of cotton planted, to be followed with an estimate of acreage for harvest and an estimate of harvested acreage for provisions which required report to show number of acres of cotton in cultivation on July 1 of each year, followed with an estimate of acreage of cotton abandoned since July 1.

1927—Act Mar. 3, 1927, struck out "Bureau of Statistics of the Department of Agriculture", substituted "on or before the 10th day of July" for "on or about the first Monday in July" and inserted "on July 1, to be followed on September 1 and December 1 with an estimate of the acreage of cotton abandoned since July 1" after "cultivation".