# Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Revision of Time Frame for Continuance Referenda
> **Agricultural Marketing Service** · Interim rule. · Published 2016-08-30 · Effective 2016-08-31 · 81 FR 59425
## Document
- **Document number:** 2016-20805
- **Category:** other
- **Sub-agency:** Agricultural Marketing Service
- **Federal Register citation:** 81 FR 59425
- **CFR reference:** 7 CFR 1217
- **Publication date:** 2016-08-30
- **Effective date:** 2016-08-31
- **USDA docket:** Document Number AMS-SC-16-0054
## Abstract

This interim rule invites comments on revising the time frame for continuance referenda under the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order (Order). The Order is administered by the Softwood Lumber Board (Board) with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Order requires USDA to conduct a continuance referendum five years after the program took effect (2011). This action revises this time frame from five years (2016) to no later than seven years (2018). This will allow time for USDA to complete a separate rulemaking action on the Order's exemption threshold. That rulemaking is being initiated in response to a federal district court decision in Resolute Forest Products Inc., v. USDA, et al. (Resolute). Once USDA completes that action, a continuance referendum will be conducted. The results of the exemption threshold rulemaking could impact who votes in the referendum and who pays assessments under the Order.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/08/30/2016-20805/softwood-lumber-research-promotion-consumer-education-and-industry-information-order-revision-of)
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