(a) Nominees must manufacture or import 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging in a marketing year.
(b) Initial nominations shall be submitted to the Secretary by the Panel. Before considering any nominations, the Panel shall publicize the nomination process, using trade press or other means it deems appropriate, and shall conduct outreach to all known manufacturers and importers manufacturing or importing 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging in a marketing year to generate nominees that reflect the range of operations within the paper and paper-based packaging industry. The Panel may use regional caucuses, mail or other methods to elicit potential nominees. The Panel shall work with USDA to ensure that all eligible candidates are aware of the opportunity to serve on the Board. The Panel shall submit the nominations to the Secretary and recommend two nominees for each Board position specified in Sec. 1222.40(b). The Secretary shall select the initial members of the Board from the nominations submitted by the Panel.
(c) Subsequent nominations shall be conducted as follows:
(1) The Board shall conduct outreach to all known manufacturers and importers manufacturing or importing 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging in a marketing year. Manufacturers and importers may submit nominations to the Board;
(2) Manufacturer and importer nominees may provide the Board a short background statement outlining their qualifications to serve on the Board;
(3) Nominees that are both a manufacturer and an importer may seek nomination to the Board as either a manufacturer or an importer, but not both;
(4) For the domestic seats allocated by region, domestic manufacturers must manufacture paper and paper-based packaging in the region for which they seek nomination. Nominees that manufacture in more than one region may seek nomination in one region of their choice. Nominees must specify for which region they are seeking nomination. The names of manufacturer nominees shall be placed on a ballot by region. The ballots along with the background statements shall be mailed to all manufacturers who manufacture 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging per marketing year. Manufacturers may vote in each region in which they manufacture paper and paper-based packaging. The votes shall be tabulated for each region and the nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be placed at the top of the list in descending order by vote. The top two candidates for each position shall be submitted to the Secretary;
(5) The names of nominees for at large domestic manufacturers shall be placed on a ballot. The ballots along with the background statements shall be mailed to all manufacturers who manufacture 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging per marketing year. The votes shall be tabulated and the nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be placed at the top of the list in descending order by vote. The top two candidates shall be submitted to the Secretary;
(6) The names of importer nominees shall be placed on a ballot. The ballots along with background statements shall be mailed to importers who import 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging per marketing year. The votes shall be tabulated and the nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be placed at the top of the list in descending order by vote. The top two candidates for each position shall be submitted to the Secretary;
(7) The Board must submit nominations to the Secretary at least six months before the new Board term begins;
(8) Any manufacturer or importer nominated to serve on the Board shall file with the Secretary at the time of the nomination a background questionnaire;
(9) From the nominations made pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall appoint the members of the Board on the basis of representation provided in Sec. 1222.40(b);
(10) No two members shall be employed by a single corporation, company, partnership or any other legal entity; and
(11) The Board may recommend to the Secretary modifications to its nomination procedures as it deems appropriate. Any such modifications shall be implemented through rulemaking by the Secretary.