BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

STATE OF MONTANA

�

In the matter of the proposed adoption�������������������) NOTICE OF EXTENSION OF

of NEW RULES I through V related to��������������������) COMMENT PERIOD ON

country of origin placarding for beef, pork,�������������) PROPOSED ADOPTION

poultry, and lamb�������������������������������������������������������)

�

TO: All Concerned Persons

�

1. On October 26, 2006, the Department of Labor and Industry (department) published MAR Notice No. 24-351-212 regarding the adoption of the above-stated rules, at page 2469 of the 2006 Montana Administrative Register, issue no. 20.

�

2. The department will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the department no later than 5:00 p.m., on May 11, 2007 to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact the Business Standards Division, Department of Labor and Industry, Attn: Lisa Johnson, P.O. Box 200517-0517, Helena, MT 59620-0517; telephone (406) 841-2046; fax (406) 841-2050; TDD (406) 444-5549; or e-mail [email protected].

�

3. On November 29, 2006, a public hearing was held on the proposed adoption of the above-stated rules in Helena. Numerous individuals attended the hearing. Some spoke as proponents and some as opponents. Several comments were received by the December 6, 2006, deadline. However, after the comment period closed, the department received a number of additional written comments concerning the proposed rules. Upon due consideration, the department concludes that it is in the public interest to extend the public comment period with respect to MAR Notice No. 24-351-212. The department hereby extends the comment period to May 25, 2007. The text of the rules remain as originally proposed. Persons who have already submitted comments with respect to MAR Notice No. 24-351-212 do not need to resubmit comments as the department will respond when the department takes final action on the proposed new rules.

�

4. Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments to: Jack Kane, Deputy Administrator, Business Standards Division, Department of Labor and Industry, P.O. Box 200517, Helena, Montana 59620-0517; by facsimile to (406) 841-2050; or by e-mail to [email protected], and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., May 25, 2007. Persons who desire a copy of the original proposed text may contact Jack Kane.

�

5. An electronic copy of this Notice of Public Hearing is available through the department�s site at http://dli.mt.gov/events/calendar.asp, under the Calendar of Events, Administrative Rules Hearings Section. The department strives to make the electronic copy of this Notice conform to the official version of the Notice, as printed in the Montana Administrative Register, but advises all concerned persons that in the event of a discrepancy between the official printed text of the Notice and the electronic version of the Notice, only the official printed text will be considered. In addition, although the department strives to keep its web site accessible at all times, concerned persons should be aware that the web site may be unavailable during some periods, due to system maintenance or technical problems, and that a person�s difficulties in accessing the web site or sending an e-mail do not excuse late submission of comments.

�

6. The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notices of rulemaking actions proposed by this agency. Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make a written request, which includes the name and mailing address of the person to receive notices and specifies that the person wishes to receive notices regarding all Department of Labor and Industry administrative rulemaking proceedings or other administrative proceedings. Such written request may be mailed or delivered to the Department of Labor and Industry, attention: Mark Cadwallader, 1327 Lockey Avenue, P.O. Box 1728, Helena, Montana 59624-1728, faxed to the department at (406) 444-1394, e-mailed to [email protected], or may be made by completing a request form at any rules hearing held by the agency.

�

�

/s/ MARK CADWALLADER���������������������������������������/s/ KEITH KELLY

Mark Cadwallader��������������������������������������������������������Keith Kelly, Commissioner

Alternate Rule Reviewer����������������������������������������������DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

�

�

Certified to the Secretary of State April 2, 2007