Use of Direct Final Rulemaking

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is implementing a new rulemaking procedure to expedite making noncontroversial changes to regulations. Rules that the agency judges to be noncontroversial and unlikely to result in adverse comments will be published as ``direct final'' rules. {``Adverse comments'' are comments that suggest that a rule should not be adopted or suggest that a change should be made to the rule.} Such direct final rules will advise the public that no adverse comments are anticipated, and that unless written adverse comments or written notice of intent to submit adverse comments are received within 30 days, the revision made by the rule will be effective 60 days from the date the direct final rule is published in the Federal Register. This new policy should expedite the promulgation of routine or otherwise noncontroversial rules by reducing the time that would be required to develop, review, clear, and publish separate proposed and final rules.