[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 7, Volume 8] [Revised as of January 1, 2005] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 7CFR927.41] [Page 210-211] TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE CHAPTER IX--AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PART 927_WINTER PEARS GROWN IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON--Table of Contents Subpart_Order Regulating Handling Sec. 927.41 Assessments. (a) Assessments will be levied only upon handlers who first handle pears. Each handler shall pay assessments on all pears handled by such handler as the pro rata share of the expenses which the Secretary finds are reasonable and likely to be incurred by the Control Committee during a fiscal period. The payment of assessments for the maintenance and functioning of the Control Committee may be required under this part throughout the period such assessments are payable irrespective of whether particular provisions thereof are suspended or become inoperative. (b) Based upon a recommendation of the Control Committee or other available data, the Secretary shall fix the rate of assessment that handlers shall pay on all pears handled during each fiscal period, and may also fix supplemental rates of assessment on individual varieties or subvarieties to secure sufficient funds to provide for projects authorized under Sec. 927.47. At any time during the fiscal period when it is determined on the basis of a committee recommendation or other information that a different rate is necessary for all pears or for any varieties or subvarieties, the Secretary may modify a rate of assessment and such new rate shall apply to any or all varieties or subvarieties that are shipped during the fiscal period. (c) The Control Committee may impose a late payment charge on any [[Page 211]] handler who fails to pay any assessment within the time prescribed by the committee. In the event the handler thereafter fails to pay the amount outstanding, including the late payment charge, within the prescribed time, the Control Committee may impose an additional charge in the form of interest on such outstanding amount. The amount of such late payment charge and rate of interest, shall be prescribed by the Control Committee, with the approval of the Secretary. (d) In order to provide funds to carry out the functions of the Control Committee prior to commencement of shipments in any season, handlers may make advance payments of assessments, which advance payments shall be credited to such handlers and the assessments of such handlers shall be adjusted so that such assessments are based upon the quantity of each variety of pears handled by such handlers during such season. Further, payment discounts may be authorized by the Control Committee upon the approval of the Secretary to handlers making such advance assessment payments. [51 FR 30627, Aug. 28, 1986, as amended at 61 FR 17554, Apr. 22, 1996]