Clear Title; Technical Changes

We are adopting as a final rule, with change, an interim rule that amended Clear Title regulations to allow States to use an approved unique identifier as an alternative to a social security number or taxpayer identification number in their systems providing clear title information. The change to the interim rule meets the express statutory requirement that an approved unique identifier be numerically organized on master lists. We are making additional changes to the clear title regulations as required by the amendments made by the 2002 Farm Bill. The primary effect of these changes will be to protect the identity of the producers of farm products. Secondary effects of the technical changes will be to improve the operation of the program and provide the States with more flexibility.