Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025
This bill revises provisions related to meat and poultry processing establishments, including by establishing grants and a database to assist smaller establishments (i.e., at least 10 but fewer than 500 employees) and very small establishments (i.e., fewer than 10 employees or annual sales of less than $2.5 million).
For example, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish a searchable database of peer-reviewed validation studies for use in developing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plans for smaller and very small establishments.
The bill increases the maximum federal cost shares for (1) state meat and poultry inspection programs (from 50% to 65%), and (2) the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program (from 60% to 80%). The CIS program allows state-inspected facilities to operate as federally-inspected facilities and ship their products in interstate commerce and internationally.
Additionally, USDA must conduct outreach to states that have meat and poultry inspection programs, but do not participate in the CIS program. The bill also allows certain establishments with up to 50 employees (currently up to 25 employees) to participate in the program.
USDA must also award grants to increase resiliency and diversification of the meat processing system, including activities that support (1) the health and safety of meat and poultry plant employees, suppliers, and customers; (2) increased processing capacity; and (3) the resilience of the small meat and poultry processing sector.
Further, the bill establishes a grant program for meat and poultry processing career training programs, including structured apprenticeships.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1509 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1509
To amend the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Federal Meat
Inspection Act to support small and very small meat and poultry
processing establishments, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 29, 2025
Mr. Thune (for himself and Ms. Smith) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Federal Meat
Inspection Act to support small and very small meat and poultry
processing establishments, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening Local Processing Act
of 2025''.
SEC. 2. HACCP GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES FOR SMALLER AND VERY SMALL POULTRY
AND MEAT ESTABLISHMENTS.
(a) Poultry Establishments.--The Poultry Products Inspection Act is
amended by inserting after section 14 (21 U.S.C. 463) the following:
``SEC. 14A. SMALLER AND VERY SMALL ESTABLISHMENT GUIDANCE AND
RESOURCES.
``(a) Definitions of Smaller Establishment and Very Small
Establishment.--In this section, the terms `smaller establishment' and
`very small establishment' have the meanings given those terms in the
final rule entitled `Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point (HACCP) Systems' (61 Fed. Reg. 38806 (July 25, 1996)).
``(b) Database of Studies; Model Plans.--Not later than 18 months
after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall--
``(1) establish a free, searchable database of approved
peer-reviewed validation studies accessible to smaller
establishments and very small establishments subject to
inspection under this Act for use in developing a Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Points plan; and
``(2) publish online scale-appropriate model Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Points plans for smaller
establishments and very small establishments, including model
plans for--
``(A) slaughter-only establishments;
``(B) processing-only establishments; and
``(C) slaughter and processing establishments.
``(c) Guidance.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this section, the Secretary shall publish a guidance document, after
notice and an opportunity for public comment, providing information on
the requirements that need to be met for smaller establishments and
very small establishments to receive approval for a Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points plan pursuant to this Act.
``(d) Data Confidentiality.--In carrying out subsections (b) and
(c), the Secretary shall not publish confidential business information,
including a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan of an
establishment.''.
(b) Meat Establishments.--The Federal Meat Inspection Act is
amended by inserting after section 25 (21 U.S.C. 625) the following:
``SEC. 26. SMALLER AND VERY SMALL ESTABLISHMENT GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES.
``(a) Definitions of Smaller Establishment and Very Small
Establishment.--In this section, the terms `smaller establishment' and
`very small establishment' have the meanings given those terms in the
final rule entitled `Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point (HACCP) Systems' (61 Fed. Reg. 38806 (July 25, 1996)).
``(b) Database of Studies; Model Plans.--Not later than 18 months
after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall--
``(1) establish a free, searchable database of approved
peer-reviewed validation studies accessible to smaller
establishments and very small establishments subject to
inspection under this Act for use in developing a Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Points plan; and
``(2) publish online scale-appropriate model Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Points plans for smaller
establishments and very small establishments, including model
plans for--
``(A) slaughter-only establishments;
``(B) processing-only establishments; and
``(C) slaughter and processing establishments.
``(c) Guidance.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this section, the Secretary shall publish a guidance document, after
notice and an opportunity for public comment, providing information on
the requirements that need to be met for smaller establishments and
very small establishments to receive approval for a Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points plan pursuant to this Act.
``(d) Data Confidentiality.--In carrying out subsections (b) and
(c), the Secretary shall not publish confidential business information,
including a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan of an
establishment.''.
SEC. 3. INCREASING MAXIMUM FEDERAL SHARE FOR EXPENSES OF STATE
INSPECTION.
(a) Poultry Products.--Section 5(a)(3) of the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 454(a)(3)) is amended in the second sentence
by striking ``50 per centum'' and inserting ``65 percent''.
(b) Meat and Meat Food Products.--Section 301(a)(3) of the Federal
Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 661(a)(3)) is amended in the second
sentence by striking ``50 per centum'' and inserting ``65 percent''.
SEC. 4. COOPERATIVE INTERSTATE SHIPMENT OF POULTRY AND MEAT.
(a) Poultry Products.--Section 31 of the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 472) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``25 employees''
each place it appears and inserting ``50 employees'';
and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``25'' and inserting ``50'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``25'' and inserting ``50''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in clause (i), by striking
``more than 25 employees but less than
35 employees'' and inserting ``more
than 50 employees but less than 70
employees''; and
(II) in clause (ii), by striking
``subsection (i)'' and inserting
``subsection (j)'';
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``60 percent'' and
inserting ``80 percent'';
(3) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``subsection (i)''
and inserting ``subsection (j)'';
(4) by redesignating subsections (f) through (i) as
subsections (g) through (j), respectively; and
(5) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Federal Outreach.--
``(1) In general.--In each of fiscal years 2025 through
2030, for the purpose of State participation in the Cooperative
Interstate Shipment program, the Secretary shall conduct
outreach to, and, as appropriate, subsequent negotiation with,
not fewer than 25 percent of the States that--
``(A) have a State poultry product inspection
program pursuant to section 5; but
``(B) do not have a selected establishment.
``(2) Report.--At the conclusion of each of fiscal years
2025 through 2030, the Secretary shall submit a report
detailing the activities and results of the outreach conducted
during that fiscal year under paragraph (1) to--
``(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives;
``(B) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate;
``(C) the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives; and
``(D) the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate.''.
(b) Meat and Meat Food Products.--Section 501 of the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 683) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``25 employees''
each place it appears and inserting ``50 employees'';
and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``25'' and inserting ``50'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``25'' and inserting ``50''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking
``more than 25 employees but less than 35
employees'' and inserting ``more than 50
employees but less than 70 employees'';
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``60 percent'' and
inserting ``80 percent''; and
(3) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Federal outreach.--
``(A) In general.--In each of fiscal years 2025
through 2030, for the purpose of State participation in
the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program, the
Secretary shall conduct outreach to, and, as
appropriate, subsequent negotiation with, not fewer
than 25 percent of the States that--
``(i) have a State meat inspection program
pursuant to section 301; but
``(ii) do not have a selected
establishment.
``(B) Report.--At the conclusion of each of fiscal
years 2025 through 2030, the Secretary shall submit a
report detailing the activities and results of the
outreach conducted during that fiscal year under
subparagraph (A) to--
``(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives;
``(ii) the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;
``(iii) the Subcommittee on Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies of the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives; and
``(iv) the Subcommittee on Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies of the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.''.
SEC. 5. PROCESSING RESILIENCE GRANT PROGRAM.
Subtitle A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 210B. PROCESSING RESILIENCE GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a smaller establishment or very small
establishment (as those terms are defined in the final
rule entitled `Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems' (61 Fed. Reg.
33806 (July 25, 1996)));
``(B) a slaughtering or processing establishment
subject to--
``(i) a State meat inspection program
pursuant to section 301 of the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 661); or
``(ii) a State poultry product inspection
program pursuant to section 5 of the Poultry
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 454);
``(C) a person engaging in custom operations that
is exempt from inspection under--
``(i) section 23 of the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 623); or
``(ii) section 15 of the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 464); and
``(D) a person seeking--
``(i) to establish and operate an
establishment described in subparagraph (A) or
(B); or
``(ii) to engage in custom operations
described in subparagraph (C).
``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the
Agricultural Marketing Service.
``(b) Grants.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall award
competitive grants to eligible entities for activities to
increase resiliency and diversification of the meat processing
system, including activities that--
``(A) support the health and safety of meat and
poultry plant employees, suppliers, and customers;
``(B) support increased processing capacity; and
``(C) otherwise support the resilience of the small
meat and poultry processing sector.
``(2) Maximum amount.--The maximum amount of a grant
awarded under this section shall not exceed $500,000.
``(3) Duration.--The term of a grant awarded under this
section shall not exceed 3 years.
``(c) Applications.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity desiring a grant
under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Applications for small grants.--The Secretary shall
establish a separate, simplified application process for
eligible entities applying for a grant under this section of
not more than $100,000.
``(3) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that any
application for a grant under this section is--
``(A) simple and practicable;
``(B) accessible online; and
``(C) available through local staff of the
Department of Agriculture.
``(4) Notice.--Not later than 14 days before the date on
which the Secretary begins to accept applications under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish a notice of funding
opportunity with respect to the grants available under this
section.
``(5) Reapplication.--If an application of an eligible
entity under this subsection is denied by the Secretary, the
eligible entity may submit a revised application.
``(6) Priority.--In reviewing applications submitted under
this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals
that will--
``(A) increase farmer and rancher access to animal
slaughter options within a 200-mile radius of the
location of the farmer or rancher; or
``(B) support an eligible entity described in
subsection (a)(1)(A).
``(d) Use of Grant.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under
this section shall use the grant funds to carry out activities in
support of the purposes described in subsection (b)(1), including
through--
``(1) the development and issuance of a Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points plan for the eligible entity, which may
be developed by a consultant;
``(2) the purchase or establishment, as applicable, of
facilities, equipment, processes, and operations necessary for
the eligible entity to comply with applicable requirements
under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.);
``(3) the purchase of cold storage, equipment, or
transportation services;
``(4) the purchase of temperature screening supplies,
testing for communicable diseases, disinfectant, sanitation
systems, hand washing stations, and other sanitizing supplies;
``(5) the purchase and decontamination of personal
protective equipment;
``(6) the construction or purchase of humane handling
infrastructure, including holding space for livestock prior to
slaughter, shade structures, and knock box structures;
``(7)(A) the purchase of software and computer equipment
for record keeping, production data, and Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points record review; and
``(B) the provision of guidelines and training relating to
that software and computer equipment;
``(8) the provision of staff time and training for
implementing and monitoring health and safety procedures;
``(9) the development of a feasibility study or business
plan for, or the carrying out of any other activity associated
with, establishing or expanding a small meat or poultry
processing facility;
``(10) the purchase of equipment that enables the further
use or value-added sale of coproducts or byproducts, such as
organs, hides, and other relevant products; and
``(11) other activities associated with expanding or
establishing an eligible entity described in subsection
(a)(1)(A), as determined by the Secretary.
``(e) Outreach.--During the period beginning on the date on which
the Secretary publishes the notice under subsection (c)(4) and ending
on the date on which the Secretary begins to accept applications under
subsection (c)(1), the Secretary shall perform outreach to States and
eligible entities relating to grants under this section.
``(f) Federal Share.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Federal
share of the activities carried out using a grant awarded under
this section shall not exceed--
``(A) 90 percent in the case of a grant in the
amount of $100,000 or less; or
``(B) 75 percent in the case of a grant in an
amount greater than $100,000.
``(2) Fiscal years 2025 and 2026.--An eligible entity
awarded a grant under this section during fiscal year 2025 or
2026 shall not be required to provide non-Federal matching
funds with respect to the grant.
``(g) Administration.--The promulgation of regulations under, and
administration of, this section shall be made without regard to--
``(1) the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of
title 5, United States Code; and
``(2) chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly
known as the `Paperwork Reduction Act').
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out this section
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030.''.
SEC. 6. PROCESSOR CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS.
Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 is amended by inserting before section 404 (7 U.S.C.
7624) the following:
``SEC. 403. PROCESSOR CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Land-grant colleges and universities.--The term
`land-grant colleges and universities' has the meaning given
the term in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).
``(2) Smaller establishment; very small establishment.--The
terms `smaller establishment' and `very small establishment'
have the meanings given those terms in the final rule entitled
`Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point
(HACCP) Systems' (61 Fed. Reg. 38806 (July 25, 1996)).
``(3) Structured apprenticeship.--The term `structured
apprenticeship' means an apprenticeship program that--
``(A) provides most of the training on the job in a
meat or poultry processing facility;
``(B) describes in detail--
``(i) all of the competencies necessary to
work in a meat or poultry processing facility;
and
``(ii) the competencies that are necessary
to own and operate a meat or poultry processing
facility that is a smaller establishment or a
very small establishment;
``(C) describes the level of knowledge, skill, and
ability the apprentice ought to attain in each
competency;
``(D) includes a component for someone other than
the trainer--
``(i) to assess competency attainment; and
``(ii) to assure that all competencies are
being addressed during the apprenticeship;
``(E) includes an individualized plan for each
apprentice that--
``(i) considers prior knowledge, skill, and
ability; and
``(ii) allows for apprentices to opt out of
competencies irrelevant to their career goals;
and
``(F) focuses on individuals who will work in or
operate meat or poultry processing facilities that are
smaller establishments or very small establishments.
``(b) Processor Career Training Programs.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide competitive
grants to junior or community colleges, technical or vocational
schools, nonprofit organizations, worker training centers, and
land-grant colleges and universities to establish or expand
career training programs, including for structured
apprenticeships, relating to meat and poultry processing.
``(2) Applications for small grants.--The Secretary shall
establish a separate, simplified application and reporting
process for entities described in paragraph (1) applying for a
grant under this subsection of not more than $100,000.
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this
subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through
2030.''.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S2666-2668)
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