Act means the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 4801-4819) and any amendments thereto.

Department means the United States Department of Agriculture.

Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States or any other officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture to whom authority has been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act in the Secretary's stead.

Board means the National Pork Board established pursuant to § 1230.50.

Consumer information means an activity intended to broaden the understanding of the sound nutritional attributes of pork and pork products, including the role of pork and pork products in a balanced, healthy diet.

Council means the National Pork Producers Council, a nonprofit corporation of the type described in section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and incorporated in the State of Iowa.

Customs Service means the United States Customs Service of the United States Department of Treasury.

Delegate Body means the National Pork Producers Delegate Body established pursuant to § 1230.30.

Fiscal period means the 12-month period ending on December 31 or such other consecutive 12-month period as the Secretary or Board may determine.

Imported means entered, or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption, in the customs territory of the United States.

Imported pork and pork products means products which are imported into the United States which the Secretary determines contain a substantial amount of pork, including those products which have been assigned one or more of the following numbers in Schedule 1 of the Tariff Schedules of the United States Annotated (1985): 106.4020; 106.4040; 106.8000; 106.8500; 107.1000; 107.1500; 107.3020; 107.3040; 107.3060; 107.3515; 107.3525; 107.3540; and 107.3560.

Importer means a person who imports porcine animals, pork, or pork products into the United States.

Market means to sell, slaughter for sale, or otherwise dispose of a porcine animal in commerce.

Market value means, with respect to porcine animals which are sold, the price at which they are sold. With respect to porcine animals slaughtered for the sale by the producer, the term means the most recent annual seven-market average for barrows and gilts, as published by the Department. With respect to imported porcine animals, the term means the declared value. With respect to imported pork and pork products, the term means an amount which represents the value of the live porcine animals from which the pork or pork products were derived, based upon the most recent annual seven-market average for barrows and gilts, as published by the Department.

Part means the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order and all rules, regulations, and supplemental orders issued thereunder, and the aforesaid order shall be a “subpart of such part.

Person means any individual, group of individuals, partnership, corporation, association, organization, cooperative, or other entity.

Plans and projects means promotion, research, and consumer information plans, studies, or projects.

Porcine animal means a swine, that is raised as (a) a feeder pig, that is, a young pig sold to another person to be finished for slaughtering over a period of more than 1 month; (b) for breeding purposes as seed stock and included in the breeding herd; and (c) a market hog, slaughtered by the producer or sold to be slaughtered, usually within 1 month of such transfer.

Pork means the flesh of a porcine animal.

Pork product means an edible product produced or processed in whole or in part from pork.

Producer means a person who produces porcine animals in the United States for sale in commerce.

Promotion means any action, including but not limited to paid advertising and retail or food service merchandising, taken to present a favorable image for porcine animals, pork, or pork products to the public, or to educate producers with the intent of improving the competitive position and stimulating sales of porcine animals, pork, or pork products.

Research means any action designed to advance, expand, or improve the image, desirability, nutritional value, usage, marketability, production, or quality of porcine animals, pork, or pork products, including the dissemination of the results of such research.

State means each of the 50 States.

State association means the single organization of producers in a State that is organized under the laws of that State and is recognized by the chief executive officer of such State as representing such State's producers. If no such organization exists in a State as of January 1, 1986, the Secretary may recognize an organization that represents not fewer than 50 producers who market annually an aggregate of not less than 10 percent of the pounds of porcine animals marketed in such State. The Secretary may cease to recognize a State association and instead recognize another organization of producers in a State as that State's association if the Secretary determines either that a majority of the members of the existing State association are not producers or that a majority of the members of the other organization seeking recognition are producers and that such organization better represents the economic interests of producers.

State where produced means with respect to a porcine animal marketed as a feeder pig or as breeding stock, the State in which that porcine animal was born, and with respect to a porcine animal that is marketed as a market hog, the State in which that porcine animal was fed for market.

(a) There is hereby established a National Pork Producers Delegate Body which shall consist of producers and importers appointed by the Secretary.

(b)(1) At least two producer members shall be allocated to each State, but any State that has more than 300 but less than 601 shares shall receive three producer members; each State with more than 600 but less than 1,001 shares shall receive four producer members and each State with more than 1,000 shares shall receive an additional member in excess of four for each 300 additional shares in excess of 1,000 shares, rounded to the nearest 300.

(2) [Reserved]

(3) In each fiscal period, shares shall be assigned to each State on the basis of one share for each $1,000 (rounded to the nearest $1,000) of the net amount of assessments attributable to such State.

(c)(1) The number of importer members to be appointed shall be determined by allocating three such members for the first 1,000 shares. Importers shall receive an additional member in excess of three for each 300 shares in excess of 1,000 shares, rounded to the nearest 300.

(2) [Reserved]

(3) In each fiscal period, shares shall be assigned to importers on the basis of one share for each $1,000 (rounded to the nearest $1,000) of the net amount of assessments attributable to importers.

(a) [Reserved]

(b) Delegate Body nominations for appointment as producer members shall be submitted to the Secretary in the number requested by the Secretary by each State association either after an election conducted in accordance with § 1230.32 and by nominating the producers who receive the highest number of votes in such State; or pursuant to a selection process that is approved by the Secretary, is given public-notice at least one week in advance by publication in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in such State and in pork production and agriculture trade publications, and provides complete and equal access to every producer who has paid all assessments due under this subpart and who has not demanded any refund of an assessment paid pursuant to this subpart in the period since the selection of the previous Delegate Body;

(c) The Secretary shall appoint the producer members of each Delegate Body from the nominations submitted in accordance with this section, except that if a State association does not submit nominations in the required manner or number, or if a State has no State association, the Secretary shall select producer members from that State after consultation with representatives of the pork industry in that State.

If a State association selects nominees for appointment to the Delegate Body through an election, it shall be conducted in the following manner:

(a) Elections shall be administered by the Board and the Board shall determine the timing of any elections.

(b) Producers who are residents of that State may be named as candidates for election to be nominees for appointment to the Delegate Body:

(1) By a nominating committee of producers in that State appointed by the Board; or

(2) The number of pork producers in a State shall be determined by the Department based on the latest available Department information, which tabulates by State the number of farming operations with porcine animals.

(c) To be eligible to vote in an election to nominate producer members from a State, a person must:

(1) Be a producer who is a resident of that State;

(2) Have paid all assessments due pursuant to this subpart; and

(3) Not have demanded any refund of an assessment paid pursuant to this subpart in the period since the selection of the previous Delegate Body.

(d) The Board shall cause notices of any election to be published at least one week prior to the election in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in that State, and in pork production and agricultural trade publications. The notices shall set forth the period of time and places for voting and such other information as the Board considers necessary.

(e) The identity of any person who voted and the manner in which any person voted shall be kept confidential.

The Secretary shall appoint the importer members of each Delegate Body after consultation with importers.

(a) The members of the Delegate Body shall serve for terms of one year, except that the members of the initial Delegate Body shall serve only until the completion of the nomination and appointment process of the succeeding Delegate Body.

(b) Each member of the Delegate Body shall serve until that member's term expires, or a successor is appointed, whichever occurs later.

To fill any vacancy occasioned by the death, removal, resignation, or disqualification of any member of the Delegate Body, the Secretary shall appoint a successor for the unexpired term of such member from nominations made either by the appropriate State association or by importers, depending upon whether the vacancy is a producer or importer vacancy.

(a) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum at a properly convened meeting of the Delegate Body, but only if that majority is also entitled to cast a majority of the shares (including fractions thereof). Any action of the Delegate Body, including any motion or nomination presented to it for a vote, shall require a majority vote, that is, the concurring votes of a majority of the shares cast on that action. The Delegate Body shall give timely notice of its meetings. The Delegate Body shall give the Secretary the same notice of its meetings as it gives to its members in order that the Secretary or a representative of the Secretary may attend meetings.

(b) The number of votes that may be cast by a producer member if present at a meeting shall be equal to the number of shares attributable to the State of such member divided by the number of producer members from such State. The number of votes that may be cast by an importer member if present at a meeting shall be equal to the number of shares allocated to importers divided by the number of importer members.

The Delegate Body shall elect its Chairperson by a majority vote at the first annual meeting, but at each annual meeting after the first, the President of the Board shall serve as the Delegate Body's Chairperson.

The members of the Delegate Body shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed by the Board for actual transportation expenses incurred by them in exercising their powers and duties under this subpart. Such expenses shall be paid from funds received by the Board pursuant to § 1230.72.

The Delegate Body shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To meet annually;

(b) To recommend the rate of assessment prescribed by the initial order and any increase in such rate;

(c) To determine the percentage of the net assessments attributable to porcine animals produced in a State that each State association shall receive; and

(d) To nominate not less than 23 persons, including producers from a minimum of 12 States or importers, for appointment to the initial Board and not less than one and one-half persons (rounded up to the nearest person) for each vacancy on the Board that requires nominations thereafter. Each nomination shall be by a majority vote of the Delegate Body voting in person in accordance with § 1230.36.

There is hereby established a National Pork Board of 15 members consisting of producers representing at least 12 States or importers appointed by the Secretary from nominations submitted pursuant to § 1230.39(d). The Board shall be deemed to be constituted once the Secretary makes the appointments to the Board.

(a) The members of the Board shall serve for terms of three years, except that the members appointed to the initial Board shall be designated for, and shall serve terms as follows: One-third of such members shall serve for one year terms; One-third shall serve for two year terms; and the remaining One-third shall serve for three year terms.

(b) Each member of the Board shall serve until the member's term expires, or until a successor is appointed, unless the member is removed pursuant to § 1230.55(b).

(c) No member shall serve more than two consecutive terms provided that those members serving an initial term of one year are eligible to serve two additional consecutive terms, but in no event, more than seven years in total.

(d) The first year of the terms of the initial Board shall begin immediately on appointment by the Secretary and continue until July 1, 1988. In subsequent years, the term of office shall begin on July 1.

Nominations for members of the Board shall be made by the Delegate Body in accordance with § 1230.39(d).

Any person nominated to serve on the Board shall file with the Secretary at the time of the nomination a written agreement to:

(a) Serve on the Board if appointed;

(b) Disclose any relationship with the Council or a State association or any organization that has a contract with the Board and thereafter disclose, at any time while serving on the Board, any relationship with any organization that applies to the Board for a contract; and

(c) Withdraw from participation in deliberations, decisionmaking, or voting on matters concerning any entity referred to in paragraph (b) of this section, if an officer or member of the executive committee of such entity.

From the nominations submitted pursuant to § 1230.39(d), the Secretary shall appoint 15 producers or importers as members of the Board, but in no event shall the Secretary appoint producer members representing fewer than 12 States.

(a) To fill any vacancy occasioned by the death, removal, resignation, or disqualification of any member of the Board, the Secretary shall appoint a successor for the unexpired term of such member from the most recent list of nominations made by the Delegate Body.

(b) If a member of the Board fails or refuses to perform the duties of a member of the Board, or if a member of the Board engages in acts of dishonesty or willful misconduct, the Board may recommend to the Secretary that that member be removed from office. If the Secretary finds that the recommendation of the Board demonstrates adequate cause, the Secretary shall remove such member from office. A person appointed under this part or any employee of the Board may be removed by the Secretary if the Secretary determines that the person's continued service would be detrimental to the purposes of the Act.

(a) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum at a properly convened meeting of the Board. Any action of the Board shall require the concurring votes of at least a majority of those present and voting. The Board shall give timely notice of its meetings. The Board shall give the Secretary the same notice of its meetings, including the meetings of its committees, as it gives to its members in order that the Secretary, or a representative of the Secretary, may attend the meetings.

(b) The Board may take action upon the concurring votes of a majority of its members by mail, telephone, telegraph or by other means of communication when, in the opinion of the President of the Board, such action must be taken before a meeting can be called. Action taken by this emergency procedure is valid only if all members are notified and provided the opportunity to vote and any telephone vote is confirmed promptly in writing and recorded in the Board minutes. Any action so taken shall have the same force and effect as though such action had been taken at a properly convened meeting of the Board.

The members of the Board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred by them in the exercise of their powers and the performance of their duties under this subpart. Such expenses shall be paid from funds received by the Board pursuant to § 1230.72.

The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To meet not less than annually, and to organize and elect from among its members, by majority vote, a President and such other officers as may be necessary;

(b) To receive and evaluate, or, on its own initiative, develop, and budget for proposals for plans and projects and to submit such plans and projects to the Secretary for approval;

(c) To administer directly or through contract the provisions of this subpart in accordance with its terms and provisions;

(d) To develop and submit to the Secretary for the Secretary's approval, plans and projects conducted either by the Board or others;

(e) To prepare and submit to the Secretary for the Secretary's approval, which is required for the following to be implemented:

(1) Budgets on a fiscal period basis of its anticipated expenses and disbursements in the administration of this subpart, including the projected cost of plans and projects to be conducted by the Board directly or by way of contract or agreement; and

(2) The budget, plans, or projects for which State associations are to receive funds under § 1230.72, including a general description of the proposed plan and project contemplated therein;

(f) With the approval of the Secretary, to enter into contracts or agreements with any person for the development and conduct of activities authorized under this subpart and for the payment of the cost thereof with funds collected through assessments pursuant to § 1230.71. Any such contract or agreement shall provide that:

(1) The contracting party shall develop and submit to the Board a plan or project together with a budget or budgets which shall show the estimated cost to be incurred for such plan or project;

(2) Any such plan or project shall become effective upon approval of the Secretary; and

(3) The contracting party shall keep accurate records of all of its relevant transactions and make periodic reports to the Board of relevant activities conducted and an accounting for funds received and expended, and such other reports as the Secretary or the Board may require. The Secretary or employees of the Board may audit periodically the records of the contracting party;

(g) To appoint or employ staff persons as it may deem necessary, to define the duties and determine the compensation of each, to protect the handling of Board funds through fidelity bonds, and to conduct routine business.

(h) To disseminate information to or communicate with producers or State associations through programs or by direct contact utilizing the public postage system or other systems;

(i) To select committees and subcommittees of Board members and to adopt such rules and by laws for the conduct of its business as it may deem advisable;

(j) To utilize advisory committees of persons other than Board members to assist in the development of plans or projects and pay the reasonable expenses and fees of the members of such committees;

(k) To prescribe rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the terms and provisions of this subpart;

(l) To recommend to the Secretary amendments to this subpart;

(m) With the approval of the Secretary, to invest, pending disbursement pursuant to a plan or project, funds collected through assessments authorized under § 1230.71 in, and only in, an obligation of the United States, a general obligation of any State or any political subdivision thereof, an interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit of a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, or an obligation fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States.

(n) To maintain such books and records, which shall be available to the Secretary for inspection and audit, and prepare and submit such reports as the Secretary may prescribe from time to time, and to make appropriate accounting with respect to the receipt and disbursement of all funds entrusted to it;

(o) To prepare and make public and available to producers and importers at least annually, a report of its activities carried out and an accounting of funds received and expended;

(p) To have an audit of its financial statements conducted by a certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards at the end of each fiscal period and at such other times as the Secretary may request, and to submit a copy of each such audit report to the Secretary;

(q) To receive, investigate, and report to the Secretary complaints of violations of the provisions of this subpart;

(r) To submit to the Secretary such information pursuant to this subpart as the Secretary may request; and

(s) To carry out an effective and coordinated program of promotion, research, and consumer information designed to strengthen the position of the pork industry in the marketplace and maintain, develop, and expand markets for pork and pork products.

(a) The Board shall receive and evaluate, or, on its own initiative, develop, and submit to the Secretary for approval, any plans and projects. Such plans and projects shall provide for:

(1) The establishment, issuance, effectuation, and administration of appropriate plans and projects for promotion, research, and consumer information with respect to pork and pork products designed to strengthen the position of the pork industry in the marketplace and to maintain, develop, and expand domestic and foreign markets for pork and pork products;

(2) The establishment and conduct of research and studies with respect to the sale, distribution, marketing, and utilization of pork and pork products and the creation of new products thereof, to the end that marketing and utilization of pork and pork products may be encouraged, expanded, improved, or made more acceptable.

(b) Each plan and project shall be periodically reviewed or evaluated by the Board to ensure that the plan and project contributes to an effective and coordinated program of promotion, research, and consumer information. If it is found by the Board that any such plan and project does not further the purposes of the Act, the Board shall terminate such plan and project.

(c) No plan or project shall make a false or misleading claim on behalf of pork or a pork product or a false or misleading statement with respect to an attribute or use of a competing product.

(d) No plan or project shall undertake to advertise or promote pork or pork products by private brand or trade name unless such advertisement or promotion is specifically approved by the Board, with the concurrence of the Secretary.

(a) The Board is authorized to incur such expenses (including provision for a reasonable reserve that would permit an effective promotion, research, and consumer information program to continue in years when the amount of assessments may be reduced) as the Secretary finds are reasonable and likely to be incurred by the Board for its administration, maintenance, and functioning and to enable it to exercise its powers and perform its duties in accordance with the provisions of this subpart, including financing plans and projects. Such expenses shall be paid from assessments collected pursuant to § 1230.71 and other funds available to the Board, including donations.

(b) The Board shall reimburse the Secretary, from assessments collected pursuant to § 1230.71, for reasonable administrative expenses incurred by the Department with respect to this subpart after January 1, 1986, including any expenses reasonably incurred for the conduct of elections of nominees for appointment to the initial Delegate Body and for the conduct of referenda.

(a)(1) Each producer producing in the United States a porcine animal raised as a feeder pig that is sold shall pay an assessment on that animal, unless such producer demonstrates to the Board by appropriate documentation that an assessment was previously paid on that animal as a feeder pig.

(2) Each producer producing in the United States a porcine animal raised for slaughter that is sold shall pay an assessment on that animal, unless such producer demonstrates to the Board by appropriate documentation that an assessment was previously paid on that animal as a market hog.

(3) Each producer producing in the United States a porcine animal raised for slaughter that such producer slaughters for sale shall pay an assessment on that animal unless such producer demonstrates to the Board by appropriate documentation that an assessment was previously paid on that animal as a market hog.

(4) Each producer producing in the United States a porcine animal raised for breeding stock that is sold shall pay an assessment on that animal, unless such producer demonstrates to the Board by appropriate documentation that an assessment was previously paid by a person on that animal as breeding stock.

(5) Each importer importing a porcine animal, pork, or pork product into the United States shall pay an assessment on that porcine animal, pork, or pork product, unless such importer demonstrates to the Board by appropriate documentation that an assessment was previously paid for that porcine animal, pork, or pork product.

(b)(1) Each purchaser of a porcine animal raised by a producer as a feeder pig or market hog shall collect an assessment on such porcine animal if an assessment is due pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, and shall remit that assessment to the Board. For the purposes of collection and remittance of assessments, any person engaged as a commission merchant, auction market, or livestock market in the business of receiving such porcine animals for sale on commission for or on behalf of a producer shall be deemed to be a purchaser.

(2) Assessments on porcine animals raised as breeding stock which are sold by a commission merchant, auction, market, or livestock market in the business of receiving such porcine animals for sale on commission for or on behalf of a producer shall be collected and remitted by the commission merchant, auction market, or livestock market selling such porcine animals.

(3) Each producer of porcine animals slaughtered for sale by the producer or sold directly to a consumer in connection with a custom slaughter operation shall remit an assessment to the Board if an assessment is due pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.

(4) Assessments on domestic porcine animals shall be remitted in the form of a negotiable instrument made payable to the “National Pork Board,” which, together with the reports required by § 1230.80, shall be sent to the address designated by the Board.

(5) Each importer of a porcine animal, pork, or pork product shall remit an assessment to the Customs Service at the time such porcine animal, pork, or pork product is imported or in such manner as may be established by regulations prescribed by the Board and approved by the Secretary, if an assessment is due pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) The initial rate of assessment shall be 0.25 percent of market value.

(d) The rate of assessment may, upon the recommendation of the Delegate Body, be increased by regulations prescribed by the Board and approved by the Secretary by no more than 0.1 percent of such market value per fiscal period to a total of not more than 0.5 percent of market value.

(e) Assessments on imported pork and pork products shall be expressed in an amount per pound for each type of pork or pork product subject to assessment, which shall be established by regulations prescribed by the Board and approved by the Secretary.

Assessments remitted to the Board shall be distributed as follows:

(a) Each State association shall receive on a monthly basis, a percentage determined by the Delegate Body or 16.5 percent, whichever is higher, of the net assessments attributable to that State. The net assessments attributable to a State is the total amount of assessments received from producers in a State.

(b) A State association which was conducting a pork promotion program in the period from July 1, 1984 to June 30, 1985, shall receive additional amounts at such times as the Board may determine, so that the total amount received on an annual basis would be equal to the amount that would have been collected in such State pursuant to the pork promotion program in existence in such State from July 1, 1984, to June 30, 1985, had the porcine animals subject to assessment, been produced from July 1, 1984, to June 30, 1985, and been subject to the rates of assessment then in effect from such State to the Council and other national entities involved in pork promotion, research, and consumer information. This paragraph shall apply to a State association only if the annual amount determined under this paragraph would be greater than the annual amount determined under paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) The Council shall receive on a monthly basis 35 percent of the net assessments until after the referendum is conducted, and 25 percent thereafter and until 12 months after the referendum.

(a) Each State association shall use its distribution of assessments pursuant to § 1230.72, as well as any proceeds from the investment of such funds pending their use, for financing plans and projects and the administrative expenses incurred in connection therewith, including the cost of administering nominations and elections of producer members of the Delegate Body.

(b) The Council shall use its distribution of assessments pursuant to § 1230.72, as well as any proceeds from the investment of such funds pending their use, for financing plans and projects and the Council's administrative expenses.

(c) The Board shall use its distribution of assessments pursuant to § 1230.72, as well as any proceeds from the investment of such funds pending their use, for:

(1) Financing plans and projects;

(2) The Board's expenses for the Board's administration, maintenance, and functioning as authorized by the Secretary;

(3) Accumulation of a reserve not to exceed one fiscal period's budget to permit continuation of an effective promotion, research, and consumer information program in years when assessment amounts may be reduced; and

(4) The Secretary's administrative costs in carrying out this part.

(a) No funds collected under this subpart shall in any manner be used for the purpose of influencing legislation as that term is defined in section 4911 (d) and (e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or for the purpose of influencing governmental policy or action except in recommending to the Secretary amendments to this part.

(b) Organizations receiving distributions of assessments from the Board shall furnish the Board with annual financial statements audited by a certified public accountant of all funds distributed to such organizations pursuant to this subpart and any other reports as may be required by the Secretary or the Board in order to verify the use of such funds.

Whenever the Board or the Department determines, through an audit of a person's reports, records, books or accounts or through some other means that additional money is due the Board or that money is due such person from the Board, such person shall be notified of the amount due. Any amount due the Board shall be remitted to the Board by the next date for remitting assessments as provided in § 1230.71(b)(3). Any overpayment to the Board shall be credited to the account of the person remitting the overpayment and shall be applied against amounts due in succeeding months except that the Board shall make prompt payment when an overpayment cannot be adjusted by a credit.

Any assessment not paid when due shall be increased 1.5 percent each month beginning with the day following the date such assessment was due. Any remaining amount due, which shall include any unpaid charges previously made pursuant to this section, shall be increased at the same rate on the corresponding day of each month thereafter until paid. For the purpose of this section, any assessment that was determined at a date later than prescribed by this subpart because of a person's failure to submit a report to the Board when due shall be considered to have been payable by the date it would have been due if the report had been filed when due. The timeliness of a payment to the Board shall be based on the applicable postmark date or the date actually received by the Board, whichever is earlier.

Each person responsible for collecting or remitting any assessment under § 1230.71(b) shall report at the time for remitting assessments to the Board the following information:

(a) The quantity and market value of the porcine animals subject to assessment;

(b) The amount of assessment collected;

(c) The month the assessment was collected;

(d) The State where the porcine animals were produced; and

(e) Such other information as may be required by regulations prescribed by the Board and approved by the Secretary.

Each person who is subject to this subpart shall maintain and, during normal business hours, make available for inspection by employees of the Board and the Secretary such books and records as are necessary to carry out the provision of this subpart, including such records as are necessary to verify any required reports. Such records shall be retained for at least two years beyond the fiscal period of their applicability.

All information obtained from the books, records or reports required to be maintained under §§ 1230.80 and 1230.81 of this subpart shall be kept confidential by all persons, including employees and agents and former employees and agents of the Board, all officers and employees and all former officers and employees of the Department, and by all officers and all employees and all former officers and employees of contracting parties having access to such information, and shall not be available to Board members. Only those persons having a specific need for such information in order to effectively implement, administer, or enforce the provisions of this subpart shall have access to such information. In addition, only such information so furnished or acquired shall be disclosed as the Secretary deems relevant and then only in a suit or administrative hearing brought at the direction, or upon the request, of the Secretary or to which the Secretary or any officer of the United States is a party, and involving this subpart. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit:

(a) The issuance of general statements based upon the reports of a number of persons subject to this subpart or of statistical data collected therefrom, which statements or data do not identify the information furnished by any person; or

(b) The publication, by direction of the Secretary, of the name of any person who has been adjudged to have violated this subpart, together with a statement of the particular provisions of this subpart violated by such person.

(a) Upon the termination of this subpart, the Board shall recommend not more than five of its members to the Secretary to serve as trustees for the purpose of liquidating the affairs of the Board. Such persons, upon designation by the Secretary, shall become trustees of all the funds and property owned, in the possession of, or under the control of, the Board, including unpaid claims or property not delivered or any other claim existing at the time of such termination.

(b) The said trustees shall:

(1) Continue in such capacity until discharged by the Secretary;

(2) Carry out the obligations of the Board under any contract or agreement;

(3) From time to time account for all receipts and disbursements and deliver all property on hand together with all books and records of the Board and of the trustees, to such persons as the Secretary may direct; and

(4) Upon the request of the Secretary, execute such assignments or other instruments necessary or appropriate to vest in such persons full title and right to all of the funds, property, and claims vested in the Board or the trustees pursuant to this subpart.

(c) Any residual funds not required to defray the necessary expenses of liquidation shall be turned over to the Secretary to be used, to the extent practicable, in the interest of continuing one or more of the plans and projects authorized pursuant to this subpart.

Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Secretary, the termination of this subpart or of any regulation issued pursuant hereto, or the issuance of any amendment to either thereof, shall not:

(a) Affect or waive any right, duty, obligation, or liability which shall have arisen or which may hereafter arise in connection with any provision of this subpart or any regulation issued thereunder;

(b) Release or extinguish any violation of this subpart or any regulation issued thereunder; or

(c) Affect or impair any rights or remedies of the United States, the Secretary, or any person with respect to any such violation.

No member or employee of the Board shall be held personally liable, either individually or jointly, in any way whatsoever to any person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts of either commission or omission, as such member or employee, except for acts of dishonesty or willful misconduct.

Any patents, copyrights, trademarks, inventions, or publications developed through the use of funds collected under the provisions of this subpart shall be the property of the United States Government as represented by the Board, and shall, along with any rents, royalties, residual payments, or other income from the rental, sale, leasing, franchising, or other uses of such patents, copyrights, inventions, or publications inure to the benefit of the Board as income and be subject to the same fiscal, budget, and audit controls as other funds of the Board. Upon termination of this subpart, § 1230.85 shall apply to determine disposition of all such property.

The Secretary may from time to time amend provisions of this part. Any interested person or organization affected by the provisions of the Act may propose amendments to the Secretary.

If any provision of this subpart is declared invalid or the applicability thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this subpart or the applicability thereof to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

The information collection and recordkeeping requirements contained in this subpart have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of 44 U.S.C. Chapter and have been assigned OMB Control Number 0851-0151.