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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the federal marketing order for South Texas onions Feb. 3-4, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST at the Mission Event Center in Mission, Texas.
The committee recommended four proposals for consideration:
- Proposal 1: Lower the continuance referenda threshold from at least two-thirds to a simple majority.
- Proposal 2: Expand research and promotion authority to include market promotion and paid advertising.
- Proposal 3: Add authority to accept voluntary contributions.
- Proposal 4: Increase the committee size by one seat to include a public member.
The hearing will continue, if necessary, until all amendments have been addressed. USDA will conduct a producer referendum if the hearing record favors the proposed amendments.
The hearing will provide all interested people with an opportunity to speak in support of or in opposition to the proposals and for USDA to receive such evidence on the record. Interested people may also file briefs after the hearing and file exceptions to any recommended decision that may be issued.
All attendees are required to make a notice of appearance on the record. All people wishing to submit written material as evidence at the hearing should be prepared to submit multiples copies of such material during the hearing.
Hearing details:
Date: Feb. 3-4, 2026
Time: 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. CST
Location: Mission Event Center, 200 N. Shary Rd., Mission, Texas 78572