Public Hearing – Proposed Amendments to the South Texas Onion Marketing Order

On February 3-4, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture held a two-day public hearing on proposed amendments to Marketing Order No. 959 (Order) that regulates the handling of onions grown in South Texas.  USDA conducted the in-person public hearing to receive evidence on proposed amendments recommended by the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee), which is responsible for local administration of the Order. 

The Committee proposes four amendments to the marketing order.  These proposals include lowering the threshold for continuance referenda; expanding research and promotion authority to include marketing promotion and paid advertising; adding authority to accept voluntary contributions; and increasing committee size by one seat to include a public member. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service proposes to make conforming changes to the Order that may be necessary as a result of the proposals presented during the hearing.

Links for the hearing transcript and exhibits appear below.

Filing of Post-hearing Briefs

USDA filled the order certifying the transcript on April 1, 2026.  Proposed findings and conclusions, and post-hearing briefs must be filed with the Hearing Clerk’s Office no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday, May 1, 2026.  Please send all electronic filings to the Hearing Clerk’s email address at SM.OHA.HearingClerks@usda.gov.   For more information, please contact Christy Pankey, Marketing Specialist, or Matthew Pavone, Chief, Rulemaking Services Branch at Christy.Pankey@usda.gov  or Matthew.Pavone@usda.gov.

After reviewing the hearing record and submitted briefs, USDA will prepare a Recommended Decision for publication in the Federal Register.  The Recommended decision will provide an opportunity for individuals to submit exceptions along with a brief in support of such exceptions to the proposed marketing order.  After considering all exceptions received, USDA will issue a final analysis and determination of merit of the proposed amendments.  Before any of the proposed amendments are finalized, USDA may conduct a referendum to determine whether at least two-thirds of the growers voting or the volume represented, favor the proposed amendments.  Subsequently, USDA will issue a final rule in the Federal Register adopting the approved amendments.
 

Transcripts

Exhibits