AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946
119–37
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
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Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946
10259
79
1946-08-14
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946
[Title II of the Act of August 14, 1946]
[As Amended Through P.L. 119–37, Enacted November 12, 2025]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of chapter 966 of the 79th Congress. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]

TABLE OF CONTENTS1
^1
This table of contents is not part of the Act but is included for user convenience.
TITLE II
Subtitle A—
General Provisions
Sec. 202.
Congressional declaration of purpose; use of existing facilities; cooperation with States.
Sec. 203.
Duties of Secretary relating to agricultural products.
Sec. 204.
Authorization of appropriations; allotments to States.
Sec. 205.
Cooperation with Government and State agencies, private research organizations, etc.; rules and regulations.
Sec. 206.
Transfer and consolidation of functions, powers, bureaus, etc.
Sec. 207.
Definitions.
Sec. 208.
Appointment of personnel; compensation; employment of specialists.
Sec. 209.
Sheep production and marketing grant program.
Sec. 210.
National sheep industry improvement center.
Sec. 210A.
Local agriculture market program.
Subtitle B—
Livestock Mandatory Reporting
Chapter 1—
Purpose; Definitions
Sec. 211.
Purpose.
Sec. 212.
Definitions.
Chapter 2—
Cattle Reporting
Sec. 221.
Definitions.
Sec. 222.
Mandatory reporting for live cattle.
Sec. 223.
Mandatory packer reporting of boxed beef sales.
Chapter 3—
Swine Reporting
Sec. 231.
Definitions.
Sec. 232.
Mandatory reporting for swine.
Sec. 233.
Mandatory reporting of wholesale pork cuts.
Chapter 4—
Lamb Reporting
Sec. 241.
Mandatory reporting for lambs.
Chapter 5—
Administration
Sec. 251.
General provisions.
Sec. 252.
Unlawful acts.
Sec. 253.
Enforcement.
Sec. 254.
Fees.
Sec. 255.
Recordkeeping.
Sec. 256.
Voluntary reporting.
Sec. 257.
Publication of information on retail purchase prices for representative meat products.
Sec. 258.
Suspension authority regarding specific terms of price reporting requirements.
Sec. 259.
Federal preemption.
Sec. 260.
Termination of authority.
Subtitle C—
Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting
Sec. 271.
Purpose.
Sec. 272.
Definitions.
Sec. 273.
Mandatory reporting for dairy products.
Subtitle D—
Country of Origin Labeling
Sec. 281.
Definitions.
Sec. 282.
Notice of country of origin.
Sec. 283.
Enforcement.
Sec. 284.
Regulations.
Sec. 285.
Applicability.
Subtitle E—
National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
Sec. 291.
Definitions.
Sec. 292.
Applicability.
Sec. 293.
Establishment of national bioengineered food disclosure standard.
Sec. 294.
Savings provisions.
Subtitle F—
Labeling of Certain Food
Sec. 295.
Federal preemption.
Sec. 296.
Exclusion from federal preemption.
Subtitle G—
Hemp Production
Sec. 297A.
Definitions.
Sec. 297B.
State and tribal plans.
Sec. 297C.
Department of agriculture.
Sec. 297D.
Regulations and guidelines; effect on other law.
Sec. 297E.
Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE II—
This title may be cited as the “Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946”. [7 U.S.C. 1621 note]
Subtitle A—

General Provisions
Sec. 202.
[7 U.S.C. 1621]
The Congress hereby declares that a sound, efficient, and privately operated system for distributing and marketing agricultural products is essential to a prosperous agriculture and is indispensable to the maintenance of full employment and to the welfare, prosperity, and health of the Nation. It is further declared to be the policy of Congress to promote through research, study, experimentation, and through cooperation among Federal and State agencies, farm organizations, and private industry a scientific approach to the problems of marketing, transportation, and distribution of agricultural products similar to the scientific methods which have been utilized so successfully during the past eighty-four years in connection with the production of agricultural products so that such products capable of being produced in abundance may be marketed in an orderly manner and efficiently distributed. In order to attain these objectives, it is the intent of Congress to provide for (1) continuous research to improve the marketing, handling, storage, processing, transportation, and distribution of agricultural products; (2) cooperation among Federal and State agencies, producers, industry organizations, and others in the development and effectuation of research and marketing programs to improve the distribution processes; (3) an integrated administration of all laws enacted by Congress to aid the distribution of agricultural products through research, market aids and services, and regulatory activities, to the end that marketing methods and facilities may be improved, that distribution costs may be reduced and the price spread between the producer and consumer may be narrowed, that dietary and nutritional standards may be improved, that new and wider markets for American agricultural products may be developed, both in the United States and in other countries, with a view to making it possible for the full production of American farms to be disposed of usefully, economically, profitably, and in an orderly manner. In effectuating the purposes of this title, maximum use shall by made of existing research facilities owned or controlled by the Federal Government or by State agricultural experiment stations and of the facilities of the Federal and State extension services. To the maximum extent practicable marketing research work done hereunder in cooperation with the States shall be done in cooperation with the State agricultural experiment stations; marketing educational and demonstrational work done hereunder in cooperation with the States shall be done in cooperation with the State agricultural extension service; market information, inspection, regulatory work and other marketing service done hereunder in cooperation with the State agencies shall be done in cooperation with the State departments of agriculture, and State bureaus and departments of markets.
Sec. 203.
[7 U.S.C. 1622]
The Secretary of Agriculture is directed and authorized:
(a)
To conduct, assist, and foster research, investigation, and experimentation to determine the best methods of processing, preparation for market, packaging, handling, transporting, storing, distributing, and marketing agricultural products: Provided, That the results of such research shall be made available to the public for the purpose of expanding the use of American agricultural products in such manner as the Secretary of Agriculture may determine.
(b)
To determine costs of marketing agricultural products in their various forms and through the various channels and to foster and assist in the development and establishment of more efficient marketing methods (including analyses of methods and proposed methods), practices, and facilities, for the purpose of bringing about more efficient and orderly marketing, and reducing the price spread between the producer and the consumer.
(c)
To develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade, and packaging, and recommend and demonstrate such standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices. Within thirty days after the enactment of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977, the Secretary shall be regulation adopt a standard of quality for ice cream which shall provide that ice cream shall contain at least 1.6 pounds of total solids to the gallon, weigh not less than 4.5 pounds to the gallon and contain not less than 20 percent total milk solids, constituted of not less than 10 percent milkfat. In no case shall the content of milk solids not fat be less than 6 percent. Whey shall not, by weight, be more than 25 percent of the milk solids not fat. Only those products which meet the standard issued by the Secretary may bear a symbol thereon indicating that they meet the Department of Agriculture standard for “ice cream”.
(d)
To conduct, assist, foster, and direct studies and informational programs designed to eliminate artificial barriers to the free movement of agricultural products.
(e)

Development of New Markets.—
(1)

In general.—
To foster and assist in the development of new or expanded markets (domestic and foreign) and new and expanded uses and in the moving of larger quantities of agricultural products through the private marketing system to consumers in the United States and abroad.
(2)

Fees and penalties.—
(A)

In general.—
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary may assess and collect reasonable fees and late payment penalties to mediate and arbitrate disputes arising between parties in connection with transactions involving agricultural products moving in foreign commerce under the jurisdiction of a multinational entity.
(B)

Deposit.—
Fees and penalties collected under subparagraph (A) shall be deposited into the account that incurred the cost of providing the mediation or arbitration service.
(C)

Availability.—
Fees and penalties collected under subparagraph (A) shall be available to the Secretary without further Act of appropriation and shall remain available until expended to pay the expenses of the Secretary for providing mediation and arbitration services under this paragraph.
(D)

No requirement for use of services.—
No person shall be required by the Secretary to use the mediation and arbitration services provided under this paragraph.
(f)2
To conduct and cooperate in consumer education for the more effective utilization and greater consumption of agricultural products: Provided, That no money appropriated under the authority of this Act shall be used to pay for newspaper or periodical advertising space or radio time in carrying out the purposes of this section and section 203(e).
^2
Section 729 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (as enacted by section 1(a) of Public Law 106–387; 114 Stat. 1549A–33; 7 U.S.C. 1622 note), provides as follows:
Sec. 729. Hereafter, none of the funds appropriated by this Act or any other Act may be used to:
(1) carry out the proviso under 7 U.S.C. 1622(f); or
(2) carry out 7 U.S.C. 1622(h) unless the Secretary of Agriculture inspects and certifies agricultural processing equipment, and imposes a fee for the inspection and certification, in a manner that is similar to the inspection and certification of agricultural products under that section, as determined by the Secretary: Provided, That this provision shall not affect the authority of the Secretary to carry out the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), or the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.).
(g)
To collect and disseminate marketing information, including adequate outlook information on a market-area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer requirements, aiding in the maintenance of farm income, and bringing about a balance between production and utilization of agricultural products.
(h)3
^3
Section 734 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 (Public Law 106–78; 113 Stat. 1165; 7 U.S.C. 1622 note), provides as follows: “None of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act for any fiscal year may be used to carry out section 302(h) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622(h)) unless the Secretary of Agriculture inspects and certifies agricultural processing equipment, and imposes a fee for the inspection and certification, in a manner that is similar to the inspection and certification of agricultural products under that section, as determined by the Secretary: Provided, That this provision shall not affect the authority of the Secretary to carry out the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), or the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.).”. The reference in the quoted matter to “section 302(h)” of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622(h)) probably should be “section 203(h)”.
(1)
To inspect, certify, and identify the class, quality, quantity, and condition of agricultural products when shipped or received in interstate commerce, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Agriculture may prescribe, including assessment and collection of such fees as will be reasonable and as nearly as may be to cover the cost of the service rendered, to the end that agricultural products may be marketed to the best advantage, that trading may be facilitated, and that consumers may be able to obtain the quality product which they desire, except that no person shall be required to use the service authorized by this subsection.
(2)
(A)
Any fees collected under this subsection, late payment penalties, the proceeds from the sales of samples, and interest earned from the investment of such funds shall be credited to the trust fund account that incurs the cost of the services provided under this subsection and shall remain available without fiscal year limitation to pay the expenses of the Secretary incident to providing such services.
(2)
(B)
Such funds may be invested by the Secretary in insured or fully collateralized, interest-bearing accounts or, at the discretion of the Secretary, by the Secretary of the Treasury in United States Government debt instruments.
(3)
Any official certificate issued under the authority of this subsection shall be received by all officers and all courts of the United States as prima facie evidence of the truth of the statements therein contained.
(4)
Whoever knowingly shall falsely make, issue, alter, forge, or counterfeit any official certificate, memorandum, mark, or other identification, or device for making such mark or identification, with respect to inspection, class, grade, quality, size, quantity, or condition, issued or authorized under this section or knowingly cause or procure, or aid, assist in, or be a party to, such false making, issuing, altering, forging, or counterfeiting, or whoever knowingly shall possess, without promptly notifying the Secretary of Agriculture or his representative, utter, publish, or use as true, or cause to be uttered, published, or used as true, any such falsely made, altered, forged, or counterfeited official certificate, memorandum, mark, identification, or device, or whoever knowingly represents that an agricultural product has been officially inspected or graded (by an authorized inspector or grader) under the authority of this section when such commodity has in fact not been so graded or inspected shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(5)
Shell eggs packed under the voluntary grading program of the Department of Agriculture shall not have been shipped for sale previous to being packed under the program, as determined under a regulation promulgated by the Secretary.
(6)

Identification of honey.—4
^4
Section 10402(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (122 Stat. 2111; Public Law 110-246) provides “The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.”.
(A)

In general.—
The use of a label or advertising material on, or in conjunction with, packaged honey that bears any official certificate of quality, grade mark or statement, continuous inspection mark or statement, sampling mark or statement, or any combination of the certificates, marks, or statements of the Department of Agriculture is hereby prohibited under this Act unless there appears legibly and permanently in close proximity (such as on the same side(s) or surface(s)) to the certificate, mark, or statement, and in at least a comparable size, the 1 or more names of the 1 or more countries of origin of the lot or container of honey, preceded by the words “Product of” or other words of similar meaning.
(B)

Violation.—
A violation of the requirements of subparagraph (A) may be deemed by the Secretary to be sufficient cause for debarment from the benefits of this Act only with respect to honey.
(i)
To determine the needs and develop or assist in the development of plans for efficient facilities and methods of operating such facilities for the proper assembly, processing, transportation, storage, distribution, and handling of agricultural products.
(j)
To assist in improving transportation services and facilities and in obtaining equitable and reasonable transportation rates and services and adequate transportation facilities for agricultural products and farm supplies by making complaint or petition to the Surface Transportation Board, the Federal Maritime Commission, or other Federal or State transportation regulatory body, or the Secretary of Transportation, with respect to rates, charges, tariffs, practices, and services, or by working directly with individual carriers or groups of carriers.
(k)
To collect, tabulate, and disseminate statistics on marketing agricultural products, including, but not restricted to statistics on market supplies, storage stocks, quantity, quality, and condition of such products in various positions in the marketing channel, utilization of such products, and shipments and unloads thereof.
(l)
To develop and promulgate, for the use and at the request of any Federal agency or State, procurement standards and specifications for agricultural products, and submit such standards and specifications to such agency or State for use or adoption for procurement purposes.
(m)
To conduct, assist, encourage, and promote research, investigation, and experimentation to determine the most efficient and practical means, methods, and processes for the handling, storing, preserving, protecting, processing, and distributing of agricultural commodities to the end that such commodities may be marketed in an orderly manner and to the best interest of the producers thereof.
(n)

Grading Program.—
To establish within the Department of Agriculture a voluntary fee based grading program for—
(1)
all fish of the order Siluriformes; and
(2)
any additional species of farm-raised fish or farm-raised shellfish—
(A)
for which the Secretary receives a petition requesting such voluntary fee based grading; and
(B)
that the Secretary considers appropriate.
(o)
To conduct such other research and services and to perform such other activities as will facilitate the marketing, distribution, processing, and utilization of agricultural products through commercial channels.
Sec. 204.
[7 U.S.C. 1623]
(a)
In order to conduct research and service work in connection with the preparation for market, processing, packaging, handling, storing, transporting, distributing, and marketing of agricultural products as authorized by this title, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated the following sums:
(1)
$2,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1947, and each subsequent fiscal year.
(2)
An additional $2,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1948, and each subsequent fiscal year.
(3)
An additional $5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1949, and each subsequent fiscal year.
(4)
An additional $5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1950, and each subsequent fiscal year.
(5)
An additional $5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1951, and each subsequent fiscal year.
(6)
In addition to the foregoing, such additional funds beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1952, and thereafter, as the Congress may deem necessary.
Such sums appropriated in pursuance of this title shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, sums appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Agriculture.
(b)
The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make available from such funds such sums as he may deem appropriate for allotment to State departments of agriculture, State bureaus and departments of markets, State agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate State agencies for cooperative projects in marketing service and in marketing research to effectuate the purposes of title II of this Act: Provided, That no such allotment and no payment under any such allotment shall be made for any fiscal year to any State agency in excess of the amount which such State agency makes available out of its own funds for such research. The funds which State agencies are required to make available in order to qualify for such an allotment shall be in addition to any funds now available to such agencies for marketing services and for marketing research. The allotments authorized under this section shall be made to the agency or agencies best equipped and qualified to conduct the specific project to be undertaken. Such allotments shall be covered by cooperative agreements between the Secretary of Agriculture and the cooperating agency and shall include appropriate provisions for preventing duplication or overlapping of work within the State or States cooperating. Should duplication or overlapping occur subsequent to approval of a cooperative project or allotment of funds, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized and directed to withhold unexpended balances on such projects notwithstanding the prior approval thereof.
Sec. 205.
[7 U.S.C. 1624]
(a)
In carrying out the provisions of title II of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture may cooperate with other branches of the Government, State agencies, private research organizations, purchasing and consuming organizations, boards of trade, chambers of commerce, other associations of business or trade organizations, transportation and storage agencies and organizations, or other persons or corporations engaged in the production, transportation, storing, processing, marketing, and distribution of agricultural products whether operating in one or more jurisdictions. The Secretary of Agriculture shall have authority to enter into contracts and agreements under the terms of regulations promulgated by him with States and agencies of States, private firms, institutions, and individuals for the purpose of conducting research and service work, making and compiling reports and surveys, and carrying out other functions relating thereto when in his judgment the services or functions to be performed will be carried out more effectively, more rapidly, or at less cost than if performed by the Department of Agriculture. Contracts hereunder may be made for work to be performed within a period not more than four years from the date of any such contract, and advance, progress, or other payments may be made. The provisions of section 3648 (31 U.S.C., sec. 529) and section 3709 (41 U.S.C., sec. 5) of the Revised Statutes shall not be applicable to contracts or agreements made under the authority of this section. Any unexpended balances of appropriations obligated by contracts as authorized by this section may, notwithstanding the provisions of section 5 of the Act of June 20, 1874, as amended (31 U.S.C., sec. 713), remain upon the books of the Treasury for not more than five fiscal years before being carried to the surplus fund and covered into the Treasury. Any contract made pursuant to this section shall contain requirements making the result of such research and investigations available to the public by such means as the Secretary of Agriculture shall determine.
(b)
The Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate such orders, rules, and regulations as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this title.
Sec. 206.
[7 U.S.C. 1625]
In order to facilitate administration and to increase the effectiveness of the marketing research, service, and regulatory work of the Department of Agriculture to the fullest extent practicable, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, to transfer, group, coordinate, and consolidate the functions, powers, duties, and authorities of each and every agency, division, bureau, service, section, or other administrative unit in the Department of Agriculture primarily concerned with research, service, or regulatory activities in connection with the marketing, transportation, storage, processing, distribution of, or service or regulatory activities in connection with, the utilization of, agricultural products, into a single administrative agency. In making such changes as may be necessary to carry out effectively the purposes of this title, the records, property, personnel, and funds of such agencies, divisions, bureaus, services, sections, or other administrative units in the Department of Agriculture affected thereby are authorized to be transferred to and used by such administrative agency to which the transfer may be made, but such unexpended balances of appropriations so transferred shall be used only for the purposes for which such appropriations were made.
Sec. 207.
[7 U.S.C. 1626]
When used in this title, the term “agricultural products” includes agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, and dairy products, livestock and poultry, bees, forest products, fish and shellfish, and any products thereof, including processed and manufactured products, and any and all products raised or produced on farms and any processed or manufactured product thereof, and the term “State” when used in this chapter5 shall include the Virgin Islands and Guam.
^5
So in original. Probably should be “title”.
Sec. 208.
[7 U.S.C. 1627]
The Secretary of Agriculture shall have the power to appoint, remove, and fix, in accordance with existing law, the compensation of such officers and employees, and to make such expenditures as he deems necessary, including expenditures for rent outside the District of Columbia, travel, supplies, books, equipment, and such other expenditures as may be necessary to the administration of this title: Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture may appoint and fix the compensation of any technically qualified person, firm, or organization by contract or otherwise on a temporary basis and for a term not to exceed six months in any fiscal year to perform research, inspection, classification, technical, or other special services, without regard to the civil-service laws or the Classification Act of 1923, as amended.
SEC. 209.
[7 U.S.C. 1627a]

SHEEP PRODUCTION AND MARKETING GRANT PROGRAM.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, shall establish a competitive grant program for the purposes of strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products in the United States, including through—
(1)
the improvement of—
(A)
infrastructure;
(B)
business; and
(C)
resource development; and
(2)
the development of innovative approaches to solve long-term needs.
(b)

Eligibility.—
The Secretary shall make grants under this section to at least one national entity, the mission of which is consistent with the purpose of the grant program.
(c)

Funding.—
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, $400,000 for fiscal year 2024, and $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, to remain available until expended.
SEC. 210.
[7 U.S.C. 1627b]

NATIONAL SHEEP INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT CENTER.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Board.—
The term “Board” means the Board of Directors established under subsection (f).
(2)

Center.—
The term “Center” means the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center established under subsection (b).
(3)

Eligible entity.—
The term “eligible entity” means an entity that promotes the betterment of the United States sheep or goat industries and that is—
(A)
a public, private, or cooperative organization;
(B)
an association, including a corporation not operated for profit;
(C)
a federally recognized Indian Tribe; or
(D)
a public or quasi-public agency.
(4)

Fund.—
The term “Fund” means the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Revolving Fund established under subsection (e).
(5)

Intermediary.—
The term “intermediary” means a financial institution receiving Center funds for establishing a revolving fund and relending to an eligible entity.
(b)

Establishment of Center.—
The Secretary shall establish a National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.
(c)

Purposes.—
The purposes of the Center shall be to—
(1)
promote strategic development activities and collaborative efforts by private and State entities to maximize the impact of Federal assistance to strengthen and enhance production and marketing of sheep or goat products in the United States;
(2)
optimize the use of available human capital and resources within the sheep or goat industries;
(3)
provide assistance to meet the needs of the sheep or goat industry for infrastructure development, business development, production, resource development, and market and environmental research;
(4)
advance activities that empower and build the capacity of the United States sheep or goat industry to design unique responses to the special needs of the sheep or goat industries on both a regional and national basis; and
(5)
adopt flexible and innovative approaches to solving the long-term needs of the United States sheep or goat industry.
(d)

Strategic Plan.—
(1)

In general.—
The Center shall submit to the Secretary an annual strategic plan for the delivery of financial assistance provided by the Center.
(2)

Requirements.—
A strategic plan shall identify—
(A)
goals, methods, and a benchmark for measuring the success of carrying out the plan and how the plan relates to the national and regional goals of the Center;
(B)
the amount and sources of Federal and non-Federal funds that are available for carrying out the plan;
(C)
funding priorities;
(D)
selection criteria for funding; and
(E)
a method of distributing funding.
(e)

Revolving Fund.—
(1)

Establishment.—
There is established in the Treasury the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Revolving Fund. The Fund shall be available to the Center, without fiscal year limitation, to carry out the authorized programs and activities of the Center under this section.
(2)

Contents of fund.—
There shall be deposited in the Fund—
(A)
such amounts as may be appropriated, transferred, or otherwise made available to support programs and activities of the Center;
(B)
payments received from any source for products, services, or property furnished in connection with the activities of the Center;
(C)
fees and royalties collected by the Center from licensing or other arrangements relating to commercialization of products developed through projects funded, in whole or part, by grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements executed by the Center;
(D)
proceeds from the sale of assets, loans, and equity interests made in furtherance of the purposes of the Center;
(E)
donations or contributions accepted by the Center to support authorized programs and activities; and
(F)
any other funds acquired by the Center.
(3)

Use of fund.—
(A)

In general.—
The Center may use amounts in the Fund to make direct loans, loan guarantees, cooperative agreements, equity interests, investments, repayable grants, and grants to eligible entities, either directly or through an intermediary, in accordance with a strategic plan submitted under subsection (d).
(B)

Continued existence.—
The Center shall manage the Fund in a manner that ensures that sufficient amounts are available in the Fund to carry out subsection (c). The Fund is intended to furnish the initial capital for a revolving fund that will eventually be privatized for the purposes of assisting the United States sheep and goat industries.
(C)

Diverse area.—
The Center shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use the Fund to serve broad geographic areas and regions of diverse production.
(D)

Administration.—
The Center may not use more than 10 percent of the amounts in the portfolio of the Center for each fiscal year for the administration of the Center. The portfolio shall be calculated at the beginning of each fiscal year and shall include a total of—
(i)
all outstanding loan balances;
(ii)
the Fund balance;
(iii)
the outstanding balance to intermediaries; and
(iv)
the amount the Center paid for all equity interests.
(E)

Influencing legislation.—
None of the amounts in the Fund may be used to influence legislation.
(F)

Accounting.—
To be eligible to receive amounts from the Fund, an entity must agree to account for the amounts using generally accepted accounting principles.
(G)

Uses of fund.—
The Center may use amounts in the Fund to—
(i)
participate with Federal and State agencies in financing activities that are in accordance with a strategic plan submitted under subsection (d), including participation with several States in a regional effort;
(ii)
participate with other public and private funding sources in financing activities that are in accordance with the strategic plan, including participation in a regional effort;
(iii)
provide security for, or make principal or interest payments on, revenue or general obligation bonds issued by a State, if the proceeds from the sale of the bonds are deposited in the Fund;
(iv)
accrue interest;
(v)
guarantee or purchase insurance for local obligations to improve credit market access or reduce interest rates for a project that is in accordance with the strategic plan;
(vi)
sell assets, loans, and equity interests acquired in connection with the financing of projects funded by the Center; or
(vii)
purchase equity interests.
(4)

Loans.—
(A)

Rate.—
A loan from the Fund may be made at an interest rate that is below the market rate or may be interest free.
(B)

Term.—
The term of a loan may not exceed the shorter of—
(i)
the useful life of the activity financed; or
(ii)
40 years.
(C)

Source of repayment.—
The Center may not make a loan from the Fund unless the recipient establishes an assured source of repayment.
(D)

Proceeds.—
All payments of principal and interest on a loan made from the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund.
(5)

Maintenance of effort.—
The Center shall use the Fund only to supplement and not to supplant Federal, State, and private funds expended for rural development.
(f)

Board of Directors.—
(1)

In general.—
The management of the Center shall be vested in a Board of Directors.
(2)

Powers.—
The Board shall—
(A)
be responsible for the general supervision of the Center;
(B)
review any contract, direct loan, loan guarantee, cooperative agreement, equity interest, investment, repayable grant, and grant to be made or entered into by the Center and any financial assistance provided to the Center;
(C)
make the final decision, by majority vote, on whether and how to provide assistance to an applicant; and
(D)
develop and establish a budget plan and a long-term operating plan to carry out the goals of the Center.
(3)

Composition.—
The Board shall be composed of—
(A)
7 voting members, of whom—
(i)
4 members shall be active producers of sheep or goats in the United States;
(ii)
2 members shall have expertise in finance and management; and
(iii)
1 member shall have expertise in lamb, wool, goat, or goat product marketing; and
(B)
2 nonvoting members, of whom—
(i)
1 member shall be the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development; and
(ii)
1 member shall be the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics.
(4)

Nomination.—
(A)

Nominating body.—
The Secretary shall appoint the voting members of the Board from nominations submitted by organizations described in subparagraph (B).
(B)

National organizations.—
A national organization is described in this subparagraph if the organization—
(i)
consists primarily of active sheep or goat producers in the United States; and
(ii)
has as the primary interest of the organization the production of sheep or goats in the United States.
(5)

Term of office.—
(A)

In general.—
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term of office of a voting member of the Board shall be 3 years.
(B)

Staggered initial terms.—
The initial voting members of the Board (other than the chairperson of the initially established Board) shall serve for staggered terms of 1, 2, and 3 years, as determined by the Secretary.
(C)

Reappointment.—
A voting member may be reappointed for not more than one additional term.
(6)

Vacancy.—
(A)

In general.—
A vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original Board.
(B)

Reappointment.—
A voting member appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term may be reappointed for one full term.
(7)

Chairperson.—
(A)

In general.—
The Board shall select a chairperson from among the voting members of the Board.
(B)

Term.—
The term of office of the chairperson shall be 2 years.
(8)

Annual meeting.—
(A)

In general.—
The Board shall meet not less than once each fiscal year at the call of the chairperson or at the request of the executive director appointed under subsection (g)(1).
(B)

Location.—
The location of a meeting of the Board shall be established by the Board.
(9)

Voting.—
(A)

Quorum.—
A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the voting members.
(B)

Majority vote.—
A decision of the Board shall be made by a majority of the voting members of the Board.
(10)

Conflicts of interest.—
(A)

In general.—
Except as provided in subparagraph (D), a member of the Board shall not vote on any matter respecting any application, contract, claim, or other particular matter pending before the Board in which, to the knowledge of the member, an interest is held by—
(i)
the member;
(ii)
any spouse of the member;
(iii)
any child of the member;
(iv)
any partner of the member;
(v)
any organization in which the member is serving as an officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee; or
(vi)
any person with whom the member is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment or with whom the member has a financial interest.
(B)

Removal.—
Any action by a member of the Board that violates subparagraph (A) shall be cause for removal from the Board.
(C)

Validity of action.—
An action by a member of the Board that violates subparagraph (A) shall not impair or otherwise affect the validity of any otherwise lawful action by the Board.
(D)

Disclosure.—
(i)

In general.—
If a member of the Board makes a full disclosure of an interest and, prior to any participation by the member, the Board determines, by majority vote, that the interest is too remote or too inconsequential to affect the integrity of any participation by the member, the member may participate in the matter relating to the interest, except as provided in subparagraph (E)(iii).
(ii)

Vote.—
A member that discloses an interest under clause (i) shall not vote on a determination of whether the member may participate in the matter relating to the interest.
(E)

Remands.—
(i)

In general.—
The Secretary may vacate and remand to the Board for reconsideration any decision made pursuant to subsection (e)(3)(H) if the Secretary determines that there has been a violation of this paragraph or any conflict of interest provision of the bylaws of the Board with respect to the decision.
(ii)

Reasons.—
In the case of any violation and remand of a funding decision to the Board under clause (i), the Secretary shall inform the Board of the reasons for the remand.
(iii)

Conflicted members not to vote on remanded decisions.—
If a decision with respect to a matter is remanded to the Board by reason of a conflict of interest faced by a Board member, the member may not participate in any subsequent decision with respect to the matter.
(11)

Compensation.—
(A)

In general.—
A member of the Board shall not receive any compensation by reason of service on the Board.
(B)

Expenses.—
A member of the Board shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by the member in the performance of a duty of the member.
(12)

Bylaws.—
The Board shall adopt, and may from time to time amend, any bylaw that is necessary for the proper management and functioning of the Center.
(13)

Public hearings.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Board shall hold public hearings on policy objectives of the program established under this section.
(14)

Organizational system.—
The Board shall provide a system of organization to fix responsibility and promote efficiency in carrying out the functions of the Board.
(15)

Use of department of agriculture.—
The Board may, with the consent of the Secretary, utilize the facilities of and the services of employees of the Department of Agriculture, without cost to the Center.
(g)

Officers and Employees.—
(1)

Executive director.—
(A)

In general.—
The Board shall appoint an executive director to be the chief executive officer of the Center.
(B)

Tenure.—
The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
(C)

Compensation.—
Compensation for the executive director shall be established by the Board.
(2)

Other officers and employees.—
The Board may select and appoint officers, attorneys, employees, and agents who shall be vested with such powers and duties as the Board may determine.
(3)

Delegation.—
The Board may, by resolution, delegate to the chairperson, the executive director, or any other officer or employee any function, power, or duty of the Board other than voting on a grant, loan, contract, agreement, budget, or annual strategic plan.
(h)

Consultation.—
To carry out this section, the Board may consult with—
(1)
State departments of agriculture;
(2)
Federal departments and agencies;
(3)
nonprofit development corporations;
(4)
colleges and universities;
(5)
banking and other credit-related agencies;
(6)
agriculture and agribusiness organizations; and
(7)
regional planning and development organizations.
(i)

Oversight.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall review and monitor compliance by the Board and the Center with this section.
(2)

Sanctions.—
If, following notice and opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary finds that the Board or the Center is not in compliance with this section, the Secretary may—
(A)
cease making deposits to the Fund;
(B)
suspend the authority of the Center to withdraw funds from the Fund; or
(C)
impose other appropriate sanctions, including recoupment of money improperly expended for purposes prohibited or not authorized by this Act and disqualification from receipt of financial assistance under this section.
(3)

Rescission of sanctions.—
The Secretary shall rescind sanctions imposed under paragraph (2) on a finding by the Secretary that there is no longer any failure by the Board or the Center to comply with this section or that the noncompliance will be promptly corrected.
SEC. 210A.
[7 U.S.C. 1627c]

LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this section:
(1)

Beginning farmer or rancher.—
The term “beginning farmer or rancher” has the meaning given the term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)).
(2)

Direct producer-to-consumer marketing.—
The term “direct producer-to-consumer marketing” has the meaning given the term “direct marketing from farmers to consumers” in section 3 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3002).
(3)

Family farm.—
The term “family farm” has the meaning given the term in section 231(a) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)).
(4)

Food council.—
The term “food council” means a food policy council or food and farm system network, as determined by the Secretary, that—
(A)
represents—
(i)
multiple organizations involved in the production, processing, and consumption of food; and
(ii)
local, Tribal, or State governments; and
(B)
addresses food and farm-related issues and needs within city, county, State, Tribal region, multicounty region, or other region designated by the food council or food system network.
(5)

Majority-controlled producer-based business venture.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “majority-controlled producer-based business venture” means a venture greater than 50 percent of the ownership and control of which is held by—
(i)
1 or more producers; or
(ii)
1 or more entities, 100 percent of the ownership and control of which is held by 1 or more producers.
(B)

Entity described.—
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “entity” means—
(i)
a partnership;
(ii)
a limited liability corporation;
(iii)
a limited liability partnership; and
(iv)
a corporation.
(6)

Mid-tier value chain.—
The term “mid-tier value chain” means a local or regional supply network that links independent producers with businesses and cooperatives that market value-added agricultural products in a manner that—
(A)
targets and strengthens the profitability and competitiveness of small and medium-sized farms and ranches that are structured as a family farm; and
(B)
obtains agreement from an eligible agricultural producer group, farmer or rancher cooperative, or majority-controlled producer-based business venture that is engaged in the value chain on a marketing strategy.
(7)

Partnership.—
The term “partnership” means a partnership entered into under an agreement between—
(A)
1 or more eligible partners (as defined in subsection (e)(1)); and
(B)
1 or more eligible entities (as defined in subsection (e)(1)).
(8)

Program.—
The term “Program” means the Local Agriculture Market Program established under subsection (b).
(9)

Regional food chain coordination.—
The term “regional food chain coordination” means coordination and collaboration along the supply chain to increase connections between producers and markets.
(10)

Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(11)

Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.—
The term “socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” has the meaning given the term in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)).
(12)

Value-added agricultural product.—
The term “value-added agricultural product” means any agricultural commodity or product that—
(A)
(i)
has undergone a change in physical state;
(ii)
was produced in a manner that enhances the value of the agricultural commodity or product, as demonstrated through a business plan that shows the enhanced value, as determined by the Secretary;
(iii)
is physically segregated in a manner that results in the enhancement of the value of the agricultural commodity or product;
(iv)
is a source of farm- or ranch-based renewable energy, including E–85 fuel; or
(v)
is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced agricultural food product; and
(B)
as a result of the change in physical state or the manner in which the agricultural commodity or product was produced, marketed, or segregated—
(i)
the customer base for the agricultural commodity or product is expanded; and
(ii)
a greater portion of the revenue derived from the marketing, processing, or physical segregation of the agricultural commodity or product is available to the producer of the commodity or product.
(13)

Veteran farmer or rancher.—
The term “veteran farmer or rancher” has the meaning given the term in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).
(b)

Establishment and Purpose.—
The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the “Local Agriculture Market Program”, that—
(1)
supports the development, coordination, and expansion of—
(A)
direct producer-to-consumer marketing;
(B)
local and regional food markets and enterprises; and
(C)
value-added agricultural products;
(2)
connects and cultivates regional food economies through public-private partnerships;
(3)
supports the development of business plans, feasibility studies, and strategies for value-added agricultural production and local and regional food system infrastructure;
(4)
strengthens capacity and regional food system development through community collaboration and expansion of mid-tier value chains;
(5)
improves income and economic opportunities for producers and food businesses through job creation; and
(6)
simplifies the application processes and the reporting processes for the Program.
(c)

Administration.—
In administering the Program, the Secretary shall—
(1)
streamline the Program to better support the activities carried out by the recipient of a grant under the Program;
(2)
connect producers with local food markets and value-added agricultural product opportunities;
(3)
partner with cooperative extension services, as appropriate, to provide Program technical assistance and outreach to Program stakeholders; and
(4)
ensure that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Agricultural Marketing Service provide Program technical assistance and outreach to Program stakeholders.
(d)

Grants.—
(1)

In general.—
Under the Program, the Secretary may, using funds made available under subsection (i), provide grants for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, in accordance with the purposes of the Program described in subsection (b), for the conduct of activities described in paragraph (2).
(2)

Eligible activities.—
The recipient of a grant may use a grant provided under paragraph (1)—
(A)
to support and promote—
(i)
domestic direct producer-to-consumer marketing;
(ii)
farmers’ markets;
(iii)
roadside stands;
(iv)
agritourism activities,
(v)
community-supported agriculture programs; or
(vi)
online sales;
(B)
to support local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing;
(C)
to support the processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of—
(i)
local and regional food products that are marketed locally or regionally; and
(ii)
value-added agricultural products;
(D)
to encourage the development of value-added agricultural products;
(E)
to assist with business development plans and feasibility studies;
(F)
to develop marketing strategies for producers of local food products and value-added agricultural products in new and existing markets;
(G)
to facilitate regional food chain coordination and mid-tier value chain development;
(H)
to promote new business opportunities and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste;
(I)
to respond to changing technology needs in direct producer-to-consumer marketing; or
(J)
to cover expenses relating to costs incurred in—
(i)
obtaining food safety certification; and
(ii)
making changes and upgrades to practices and equipment to improve food safety.
(3)

Criteria and guidelines.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall establish criteria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and funding of proposed projects under paragraph (1) as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
(B)

Producer or food business benefits.—
(i)

In general.—
Except as provided in clause (ii), an application submitted for a grant under paragraph (1) shall include a description of the direct or indirect producer or food business benefits intended by the applicant to result from the proposed project within a reasonable period of time after the receipt of the grant.
(ii)

Exception.—
Clause (i) shall not apply to a planning or feasibility project.
(4)

Amount.—
Unless otherwise determined by the Secretary, the amount of a grant under this subsection shall be not more than $500,000.
(5)

Value-added producer grants.—
In the case of a grant provided under paragraph (1) to an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B), the following shall apply:
(A)

Administration.—
The Secretary shall carry out this subsection through the Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, in coordination with the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
(B)

Eligible entities.—
An entity shall be eligible for a grant under this paragraph if the entity is—
(i)
an independent producer (as determined by the Secretary) of a value-added agricultural product; or
(ii)
an agricultural producer group, farmer or rancher cooperative, or majority-controlled producer-based business venture (as determined by the Secretary).
(C)

Priorities.—
The Secretary shall give priority to applications—
(i)
in the case of an application submitted by a producer, that are submitted by, or serve—
(I)
beginning farmers or ranchers;
(II)
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers;
(III)
operators of small or medium sized farms or ranches that are structured as family farms; or
(IV)
veteran farmers or ranchers; and
(ii)
in the case of an application submitted by an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B)(ii), that provide the greatest contribution to creating or increasing marketing opportunities for producers described in subclauses (I) through (IV) of clause (i).
(D)

Limitation on use of funds.—
(i)

In general.—
Except as provided in clause (ii), an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may not use a grant for the purchase or construction of a building, general purpose equipment, or structure.
(ii)

Exception.—
An eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of the amount of a grant for an eligible activity described in paragraph (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment to improve food safety.
(E)

Matching funds.—
An eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall contribute an amount of non-Federal funds that is at least equal to the amount of Federal funds received.
(6)

Farmers' markets and local food promotion program.—
In the case of a grant provided under paragraph (1) to an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B), the following shall apply:
(A)

Administration.—
The Secretary shall carry out this subsection through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, in coordination with the Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
(B)

Eligible entities.—
An entity shall be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph if the entity is—
(i)
an agricultural cooperative or other agricultural business entity or a producer network or association, including a community-supported agriculture network or association;
(ii)
a local or Tribal government;
(iii)
a nonprofit corporation;
(iv)
a public benefit corporation;
(v)
an economic development corporation;
(vi)
a regional farmers’ market authority;
(vii)
a food council; or
(viii)
such other entity as the Secretary may designate.
(C)

Priorities.—
The Secretary shall give priority to applications that—
(i)
benefit underserved communities, including communities that are located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally grown food; or
(ii)
are used to carry out eligible activities under a partnership agreement under subsection (e) and have not received benefits from the Program in the recent past.
(D)

Limitation on use of funds.—
(i)

In general.—
Except as provided in clause (ii), an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may not use a grant for the purchase or construction of a building, general purpose equipment, or structure.
(ii)

Exception.—
An eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of the amount of a grant for an eligible activity described in paragraph (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment to improve food safety.
(E)

Matching funds.—
An eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall provide matching funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount that is equal to 25 percent of the total amount of the Federal portion of the grant.
(e)

Partnerships.—
(1)

Definitions.—
In this subsection:
(A)

Eligible entity.—
The term “eligible entity” means—
(i)
a producer;
(ii)
a producer network or association;
(iii)
a farmer or rancher cooperative;
(iv)
a majority-controlled producer-based business venture;
(v)
a food council;
(vi)
a local or Tribal government;
(vii)
a nonprofit corporation;
(viii)
an economic development corporation;
(ix)
a public benefit corporation;
(x)
a community-supported agriculture network or association; and
(xi)
a regional farmers’ market authority.
(B)

Eligible partner.—
The term “eligible partner” means—
(i)
a State agency or regional authority;
(ii)
a philanthropic organization;
(iii)
a private corporation;
(iv)
an institution of higher education;
(v)
a commercial, Federal, or Farm Credit System lending institution; and
(vi)
another entity, as determined by the Secretary.
(2)

Grants to support partnerships.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, in accordance with the purposes of the Program described in subsection (b), shall, using funds made available under subsection (i), provide grants for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to support partnerships to plan and develop a local or regional food system.
(B)

Geographical diversity.—
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure geographical diversity in selecting partnerships to receive grants under subparagraph (A).
(3)

Authorities of partnerships.—
A partnership receiving a grant under paragraph (2) may—
(A)
determine the scope of the regional food system to be developed, including goals, outreach objectives, and eligible activities to be carried out;
(B)
determine the local, regional, State, multi-State, or other geographic area covered;
(C)
create and conduct a feasibility study, implementation plan, and assessment of eligible activities under the partnership agreement;
(D)
conduct outreach and education to other eligible entities and eligible partners for potential participation in the partnership agreement and eligible activities;
(E)
describe measures to be taken through the partnership agreement to obtain funding for the eligible activities to be carried out under the partnership agreement;
(F)
at the request of a producer or eligible entity desiring to participate in eligible activities under the partnership agreement, act on behalf of the producer or eligible entity in applying for a grant under subsection (d);
(G)
monitor, evaluate, and periodically report to the Secretary on progress made toward achieving the objectives of eligible activities under the partnership agreement; or
(H)
at the conclusion of the partnership agreement, submit to the Secretary a report describing—
(i)
the results and effects of the partnership agreement; and
(ii)
funds provided under paragraph (4).
(4)

Contribution.—
A partnership receiving a grant under paragraph (2) shall provide funding in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the total amount of the Federal portion of the grant.
(5)

Applications.—
(A)

In general.—
To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (2), a partnership shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary considers necessary to evaluate and select applications.
(B)

Competitive process.—
The Secretary—
(i)
shall conduct a competitive process to select applications submitted under subparagraph (A);
(ii)
may assess and rank applications with similar purposes as a group; and
(iii)
shall make public the criteria to be used in evaluating applications prior to accepting applications.
(C)

Priority to certain applications.—
The Secretary may give priority to applications submitted under subparagraph (A) that—
(i)
(I)
leverage significant non-Federal financial and technical resources; and
(II)
coordinate with other local, State, Tribal, or national efforts;
(ii)
cover an area that includes distressed low-income rural or urban communities, including areas with persistent poverty; or
(iii)
have multiple entities and partners in a partnership.
(D)

Producer or food business benefits.—
(i)

In general.—
Except as provided in clause (ii), an application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include a description of the direct or indirect producer or food business benefits intended by the eligible entity to result from the proposed project within a reasonable period of time after the receipt of a grant.
(ii)

Exception.—
Clause (i) shall not apply to a planning or feasibility project.
(6)

Technical assistance.—
On request of an eligible entity, an eligible partner, or a partnership, the Secretary may provide technical assistance in carrying out a partnership agreement.
(f)

Simplification of Application and Reporting Processes.—
(1)

Applications.—
The Secretary shall establish a simplified application form for eligible entities that—
(A)
request less than $50,000 under subsection (d); or
(B)
apply for grants under subsection (d) under a single application through partnership agreements under subsection (e).
(2)

Reporting.—
The Secretary shall—
(A)
streamline and simplify the reporting process for eligible entities; and
(B)
obtain from eligible entities and maintain such information as the Secretary determines is necessary to administer and evaluate the Program.
(g)

Interdepartmental Coordination.—
In carrying out the Program, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure coordination among Federal agencies.
(h)

Evaluation.—
(1)

In general.—
Using amounts made available under subsection (i)(3)(E), the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the Program that—
(A)
measures the economic impact of the Program on new and existing market outcomes;
(B)
measures the effectiveness of the Program in improving and expanding—
(i)
the regional food economy through public and private partnerships;
(ii)
the production of value-added agricultural products;
(iii)
producer-to-consumer marketing, including direct producer-to-consumer marketing;
(iv)
local and regional food systems, including regional food chain coordination and business development;
(v)
new business opportunities and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste;
(vi)
the use of new technologies in producer-to-consumer marketing, including direct producer-to-consumer marketing; and
(vii)
the workforce and capacity of regional food systems; and
(C)
provides a description of—
(i)
each partnership agreement; and
(ii)
each grant provided under subsection (d).
(2)

Report.—
Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1), including a thorough analysis of the outcomes of the evaluation.
(i)

Funding.—
(1)

Mandatory funding.—
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain available until expended.
(2)

Authorization of appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain available until expended.
(3)

Allocation of funds.—
(A)

Value-added producer grants.—
(i)

In general.—
Subject to clause (ii), of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 35 percent shall be used for grants under subsection (d)(5).
(ii)

Reservation of funds.—
(I)

Majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.—
The total amount of grants under subsection (d)(5) provided to majority-controlled producer-based business ventures for a fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the amount allocated under clause (i).
(II)

Beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.—
Of the funds made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), 10 percent shall be reserved for grants provided to beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(III)

Mid-tier value chains.—
Of the funds made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), 10 percent shall be reserved for grants to develop mid-tier value chains.
(IV)

Food safety assistance.—
Of the funds made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), not more than 25 percent shall be reserved for grants for eligible activities described in subsection (d)(2)(J).
(B)

Farmers' market and local food promotion grants.—
Of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 47 percent shall be used for grants under subsection (d)(6).
(C)

Regional partnerships.—
Of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 10 percent shall be used to provide grants to support partnerships under subsection (e).
(D)

Unobligated funds.—
Any funds under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) that are not obligated for the uses described in that subparagraph, as applicable, by September 30 of the fiscal year for which the funds were made available—
(i)
shall be available to the agency carrying out the Program with the unobligated funds to carry out any function of the Program, as determined by the Secretary; and
(ii)
may carry over to the next fiscal year.
(E)

Administrative expenses.—
Not greater than 8 percent of amounts made available to provide grants under subsections (d) and (e) for a fiscal year may be used for administrative expenses.
Subtitle B—

Livestock Mandatory Reporting6
^6
This subtitle was added by section 911(2) of title IX of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 (Public Law 106–78). Section 942 of that title (113 Stat. 1211; 7 U.S.C. 1635 note), as amended by section 1 of Public Law 108–444 (118 Stat. 2635), section 1(b) of Public Law 109–296 (120 Stat. 1464), and section 2(a)(2) of Pubic Law 111–239 (124 Stat. 2501), provides that: “The authority provided by this title and the amendments made by this title (other than section 911 of subtitle A and the amendments made by that section) terminate on September 30, 2015.”.
CHAPTER 1—

PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS
SEC. 211.
[7 U.S.C. 1635]

PURPOSE.
The purpose of this subtitle is to establish a program of information regarding the marketing of cattle, swine, lambs, and products of such livestock that—
(1)
provides information that can be readily understood by producers, packers, and other market participants, including information with respect to the pricing, contracting for purchase, and supply and demand conditions for livestock, livestock production, and livestock products;
(2)
improves the price and supply reporting services of the Department of Agriculture; and
(3)
encourages competition in the marketplace for livestock and livestock products.
SEC. 212.
[7 U.S.C. 1635a]

DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1)

Base price.—
The term “base price” means the price paid for livestock, delivered at the packing plant, before application of any premiums or discounts, expressed in dollars per hundred pounds of carcass weight.
(2)

Basis level.—
The term “basis level” means the agreed-on adjustment to a future price to establish the final price paid for livestock.
(3)

Current slaughter week.—
The term “current slaughter week” means the period beginning Monday, and ending Sunday, of the week in which a reporting day occurs.
(4)

F.O.B.—
The term “F.O.B.” means free on board, regardless of the mode of transportation, at the point of direct shipment by the seller to the buyer.
(5)

Livestock.—
The term “livestock” means cattle, swine, and lambs.
(6)

Lot.—
The term “lot” means a group of one or more livestock that is identified for the purpose of a single transaction between a buyer and a seller.
(7)

Marketing.—
The term “marketing” means the sale or other disposition of livestock, livestock products, or meat or meat food products in commerce.
(8)

Negotiated purchase.—
The term “negotiated purchase” means a cash or spot market purchase by a packer of livestock from a producer under which—
(A)
the base price for the livestock is determined by seller-buyer interaction and agreement on a day; and
(B)
the livestock are scheduled for delivery to the packer not later than 14 days after the date on which the livestock are committed to the packer.
(9)

Negotiated sale.—
The term “negotiated sale” means a cash or spot market sale by a producer of livestock to a packer under which—
(A)
the base price for the livestock is determined by seller-buyer interaction and agreement on a day; and
(B)
the livestock are scheduled for delivery to the packer not later than 14 days after the date on which the livestock are committed to the packer.
(10)

Prior slaughter week.—
The term “prior slaughter week” means the Monday through Sunday prior to a reporting day.
(11)

Producer.—
The term “producer” means any person engaged in the business of selling livestock to a packer for slaughter (including the sale of livestock from a packer to another packer).
(12)

Reporting day.—
The term “reporting day” means a day on which—
(A)
a packer conducts business regarding livestock committed to the packer, or livestock purchased, sold, or slaughtered by the packer;
(B)
the Secretary is required to make information concerning the business described in subparagraph (A) available to the public; and
(C)
the Department of Agriculture is open to conduct business.
(13)

Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(14)

State.—
The term “State” means each of the 50 States.
CHAPTER 2—

CATTLE REPORTING
SEC. 221.
[7 U.S.C. 1635d]

DEFINITIONS.
In this chapter:
(1)

Cattle committed.—
The term “cattle committed” means cattle that are scheduled to be delivered to a packer within the 7-day period beginning on the date of an agreement to sell the cattle.
(2)

Cattle type.—
The term “cattle type” means the following types of cattle purchased for slaughter:
(A)
Fed steers.
(B)
Fed heifers.
(C)
Fed Holsteins and other fed dairy steers and heifers.
(D)
Cows.
(E)
Bulls.
(3)

Formula marketing arrangement.—
The term “formula marketing arrangement” means the advance commitment of cattle for slaughter by any means other than through a negotiated purchase or a forward contract, using a method for calculating price in which the price is determined at a future date.
(4)

Forward contract.—
The term “forward contract” means—
(A)
an agreement for the purchase of cattle, executed in advance of slaughter, under which the base price is established by reference to—
(i)
prices quoted on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange; or
(ii)
other comparable publicly available prices; or
(B)
such other forward contract as the Secretary determines to be applicable.
(5)

Packer.—
The term “packer” means any person engaged in the business of buying cattle in commerce for purposes of slaughter, of manufacturing or preparing meats or meat food products from cattle for sale or shipment in commerce, or of marketing meats or meat food products from cattle in an unmanufactured form acting as a wholesale broker, dealer, or distributor in commerce, except that—
(A)
the term includes only a cattle processing plant that is federally inspected;
(B)
for any calendar year, the term includes only a cattle processing plant that slaughtered an average of at least 125,000 head of cattle per year during the immediately preceding 5 calendar years; and
(C)
in the case of a cattle processing plant that did not slaughter cattle during the immediately preceding 5 calendar years, the Secretary shall consider the plant capacity of the processing plant in determining whether the processing plant should be considered a packer under this chapter.
(6)

Packer-owned cattle.—
The term “packer-owned cattle” means cattle that a packer owns for at least 14 days immediately before slaughter.
(7)

Terms of trade.—
The term “terms of trade” includes, with respect to the purchase of cattle for slaughter—
(A)
whether a packer provided any financing agreement or arrangement with regard to the cattle;
(B)
whether the delivery terms specified the location of the producer or the location of the packer's plant;
(C)
whether the producer is able to unilaterally specify the date and time during the business day of the packer that the cattle are to be delivered for slaughter; and
(D)
the percentage of cattle purchased by a packer as a negotiated purchase that are delivered to the plant for slaughter more than 7 days, but fewer than 14 days, after the earlier of—
(i)
the date on which the cattle were committed to the packer; or
(ii)
the date on which the cattle were purchased by the packer.
(8)

Type of purchase.—
The term “type of purchase”, with respect to cattle, means—
(A)
a negotiated purchase;
(B)
a formula market arrangement; and
(C)
a forward contract.
SEC. 222.
[7 U.S.C. 1635e]

MANDATORY REPORTING FOR LIVE CATTLE.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary shall establish a program of live cattle price information reporting that will—
(1)
provide timely, accurate, and reliable market information;
(2)
facilitate more informed marketing decisions; and
(3)
promote competition in the cattle slaughtering industry.
(b)

General Reporting Provisions Applicable to Packers and the Secretary.—
(1)

In general.—
Whenever the prices or quantities of cattle are required to be reported or published under this section, the prices or quantities shall be categorized so as to clearly delineate—
(A)
the prices or quantities, as applicable, of the cattle purchased in the domestic market; and
(B)
the prices or quantities, as applicable, of imported cattle.
(2)

Packer-owned cattle.—
Information required under this section for packer-owned cattle shall include quantity and carcass characteristics, but not price.
(c)

Daily Reporting.—
(1)

In general.—
The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant shall report to the Secretary at least twice each reporting day (including once not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time and once not later than 2:00 p.m. Central Time) the following information for each cattle type:
(A)
The prices for cattle (per hundredweight) established on that day, categorized by—
(i)
type of purchase;
(ii)
the quantity of cattle purchased on a live weight basis;
(iii)
the quantity of cattle purchased on a dressed weight basis;
(iv)
a range of the estimated live weights of the cattle purchased;
(v)
an estimate of the percentage of the cattle purchased that were of a quality grade of choice or better; and
(vi)
any premiums or discounts associated with—
(I)
weight, grade, or yield; or
(II)
any type of purchase.
(B)
The quantity of cattle delivered to the packer (quoted in numbers of head) on that day, categorized by—
(i)
type of purchase;
(ii)
the quantity of cattle delivered on a live weight basis; and
(iii)
the quantity of cattle delivered on a dressed weight basis.
(C)
The quantity of cattle committed to the packer (quoted in numbers of head) as of that day, categorized by—
(i)
type of purchase;
(ii)
the quantity of cattle committed on a live weight basis; and
(iii)
the quantity of cattle committed on a dressed weight basis.
(D)
The terms of trade regarding the cattle, as applicable.
(2)

Publication.—
The Secretary shall make the information available to the public not less frequently than three times each reporting day.
(d)

Weekly Reporting.—
(1)

In general.—
The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant shall report to the Secretary, on the first reporting day of each week, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the following information applicable to the prior slaughter week:
(A)
The quantity of cattle purchased through a forward contract that were slaughtered.
(B)
The quantity of cattle delivered under a formula marketing arrangement that were slaughtered.
(C)
The quantity and carcass characteristics of packer-owned cattle that were slaughtered.
(D)
The quantity, basis level, and delivery month for all cattle purchased through forward contracts that were agreed to by the parties.
(E)
The range and average of intended premiums and discounts that are expected to be in effect for the current slaughter week.
(2)

Formula purchases.—
The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant shall report to the Secretary, on the first reporting day of each week, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the following information for cattle purchased through a formula marketing arrangement and slaughtered during the prior slaughter week:
(A)
The quantity (quoted in both numbers of head and hundredweights) of cattle.
(B)
The weighted average price paid for a carcass, including applicable premiums and discounts.
(C)
The range of premiums and discounts paid.
(D)
The weighted average of premiums and discounts paid.
(E)
The range of prices paid.
(F)
The aggregate weighted average price paid for a carcass.
(G)
The terms of trade regarding the cattle, as applicable.
(3)

Publication.—
The Secretary shall make available to the public the information obtained under paragraphs (1) and (2) on the first reporting day of the current slaughter week, not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time.
(e)

Regional Reporting of Cattle Types.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall determine whether adequate data can be obtained on a regional basis for fed Holsteins and other fed dairy steers and heifers, cows, and bulls based on the number of packers required to report under this section.
(2)

Report.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subtitle, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the determination of the Secretary under paragraph (1).
SEC. 223.
[7 U.S.C. 1635f]

MANDATORY PACKER REPORTING OF BOXED BEEF SALES.
(a)

Daily Reporting.—
The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant shall report to the Secretary at least twice each reporting day (not less than once before, and once after, 12:00 noon Central Time) information on total boxed beef sales, including—
(1)
the price for each lot of each negotiated boxed beef sale (determined by seller-buyer interaction and agreement), quoted in dollars per hundredweight (on a F.O.B. plant basis);
(2)
the quantity for each lot of each sale, quoted by number of boxes sold; and
(3)
information regarding the characteristics of each lot of each sale, including—
(A)
the grade of beef (USDA Choice or better, USDA Select, or ungraded no-roll product);
(B)
the cut of beef; and
(C)
the trim specification.
(b)

Publication.—
The Secretary shall make available to the public the information required to be reported under subsection (a) not less frequently than twice each reporting day.
CHAPTER 3—

SWINE REPORTING
SEC. 231.
[7 U.S.C. 1635i]

DEFINITIONS.
In this chapter:
(1)

Affiliate.—
The term “affiliate”, with respect to a packer, means—
(A)
a person that directly or indirectly owns, controls, or holds with power to vote, 5 percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of the packer;
(B)
a person 5 percent or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or held with power to vote, by the packer; and
(C)
a person that directly or indirectly controls, or is controlled by or under common control with, the packer.
(2)

Applicable reporting period.—
The term “applicable reporting period” means the period of time prescribed by the prior day report, the morning report, and the afternoon report, as required under section 232(c).
(3)

Barrow.—
The term “barrow” means a neutered male swine.
(4)

Base market hog.—
The term “base market hog” means a barrow or gilt for which no discounts are subtracted from and no premiums are added to the base price.
(5)

Boar.—
The term “boar” means a sexually-intact male swine.
(6)

Formula price.—
The term “formula price” means a price determined by a mathematical formula under which the price established for a specified market serves as the basis for the formula.
(7)

Gilt.—
The term “gilt” means a young female swine that has not produced a litter.
(8)

Hog class.—
The term “hog class” means, as applicable—
(A)
barrows or gilts;
(B)
sows; or
(C)
boars or stags.
(9)

Negotiated formula purchase.—
The term “negotiated formula purchase” means a swine or pork market formula purchase under which—
(A)
the formula is determined by negotiation on a lot-by-lot basis; and
(B)
the swine are scheduled for delivery to the packer not later than 14 days after the date on which the formula is negotiated and swine are committed to the packer.
(10)

Noncarcass merit premium.—
The term “noncarcass merit premium” means an increase in the base price of the swine offered by an individual packer or packing plant, based on any factor other than the characteristics of the carcass, if the actual amount of the premium is known before the sale and delivery of the swine.
(11)

Other market formula purchase.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “other market formula purchase” means a purchase of swine by a packer in which the pricing mechanism is a formula price based on any market other than the market for swine, pork, or a pork product.
(B)

Inclusion.—
The term “other market formula purchase” includes a formula purchase in a case in which the price formula is based on one or more futures or options contracts.
(12)

Other purchase arrangement.—
The term “other purchase arrangement” means a purchase of swine by a packer that—
(A)
is not a negotiated purchase, swine or pork market formula purchase, negotiated formula purchase, or other market formula purchase; and
(B)
does not involve packer-owned swine.
(13)

Packer.—
The term “packer” means any person engaged in the business of buying swine in commerce for purposes of slaughter, of manufacturing or preparing meats or meat food products from swine for sale or shipment in commerce, or of marketing meats or meat food products from swine in an unmanufactured form acting as a wholesale broker, dealer, or distributor in commerce, except that—
(A)
the term includes only a swine processing plant that is federally inspected;
(B)
for any calendar year, the term includes only—
(i)
a swine processing plant that slaughtered an average of at least 100,000 swine per year during the immediately preceding five calendar years; and
(ii)
a person that slaughtered an average of at least 200,000 sows, boars, or any combination thereof, per year during the immediately preceding five calendar years; and
(C)
in the case of a swine processing plant or person that did not slaughter swine during the immediately preceding 5 calendar years, the Secretary shall consider the plant capacity of the processing plant or person in determining whether the processing plant or person should be considered a packer under this chapter.
(14)

Packer-owned swine.—
The term “packer-owned swine” means swine that a packer (including a subsidiary or affiliate of the packer) owns for at least 14 days immediately before slaughter.
(15)

Packer-sold swine.—
The term “packer-sold swine” means the swine that are—
(A)
owned by a packer (including a subsidiary or affiliate of the packer) for more than 14 days immediately before sale for slaughter; and
(B)
sold for slaughter to another packer.
(16)

Pork.—
The term “pork” means the meat of a porcine animal.
(17)

Pork product.—
The term “pork product” means a product or byproduct produced or processed in whole or in part from pork.
(18)

Purchase data.—
The term “purchase data” means all of the applicable data, including weight (if purchased live), for all swine purchased during the applicable reporting period, regardless of the expected delivery date of the swine, reported by—
(A)
hog class;
(B)
type of purchase; and
(C)
packer-owned swine.
(19)

Slaughter data.—
The term “slaughter data” means all of the applicable data for all swine slaughtered by a packer during the applicable reporting period, regardless of when the price of the swine was negotiated or otherwise determined, reported by—
(A)
hog class;
(B)
type of purchase; and
(C)
packer-owned swine.
(20)

Sow.—
The term “sow” means an adult female swine that has produced one or more litters.
(21)

Swine.—
The term “swine” means a porcine animal raised to be a feeder pig, raised for seedstock, or raised for slaughter.
(22)

Swine or pork market formula purchase.—
The term “swine or pork market formula purchase” means a purchase of swine by a packer in which the pricing mechanism is a formula price based on a market for swine, pork, or a pork product, other than a future or option for swine, pork, or a pork product.
(23)

Type of purchase.—
The term “type of purchase”, with respect to swine, means—
(A)
a negotiated purchase;
(B)
other market formula purchase;
(C)
a swine or pork market formula purchase;
(D)
a negotiated formula purchase; and
(E)
other purchase arrangement.
SEC. 232.
[7 U.S.C. 1635j]

MANDATORY REPORTING FOR SWINE.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary shall establish a program of swine price information reporting that will—
(1)
provide timely, accurate, and reliable market information;
(2)
facilitate more informed marketing decisions; and
(3)
promote competition in the swine slaughtering industry.
(b)

General Reporting Provisions Applicable to Packers and the Secretary.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall establish and implement a price reporting program in accordance with this section that includes the reporting and publication of information required under this section.
(2)

Packer-owned swine.—
Information required under this section for packer-owned swine shall include quantity and carcass characteristics, but not price.
(3)

Packer-sold swine.—
If information regarding the type of purchase is required under this section, the information shall be reported according to the numbers and percentages of each type of purchase comprising—
(A)
packer-sold swine; and
(B)
all other swine.
(4)

Additional information.—
(A)

Review.—
The Secretary shall review the information required to be reported by packers under this section at least once every 2 years.
(B)

Outdated information.—
After public notice and an opportunity for comment, subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall promulgate regulations that specify additional information that shall be reported under this section if the Secretary determines under the review under subparagraph (A) that—
(i)
information that is currently required no longer accurately reflects the methods by which swine are valued and priced by packers; or
(ii)
packers that slaughter a significant majority of the swine produced in the United States no longer use backfat or lean percentage factors as indicators of price.
(C)

Limitation.—
Under subparagraph (B), the Secretary may not require packers to provide any new or additional information that—
(i)
is not generally available or maintained by packers; or
(ii)
would be otherwise unduly burdensome to provide.
(c)

Daily Reporting; Barrows and Gilts.—
(1)

Prior day report.—
(A)

In general.—
The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant that processes barrows or gilts shall report to the Secretary, for each business day of the packer, such information as the Secretary determines necessary and appropriate to—
(i)
comply with the publication requirements of this section; and
(ii)
provide for the timely access to the information by producers, packers, and other market participants.
(B)

Reporting deadline and plants required to report.—
A packer required to report under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i)
not later than 7:00 a.m. Central Time on each reporting day, report information regarding all barrows and gilts purchased or priced, and
(ii)
not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time on each reporting day, report information regarding all barrows and gilts slaughtered,
during the prior business day of the packer.
(C)

Information required.—
The information from the prior business day of a packer required under this paragraph shall include—
(i)
all purchase data, including—
(I)
the total number of—
- (aa)
barrows and gilts purchased; and
- (bb)
barrows and gilts scheduled for delivery; and
(II)
the base price and purchase data for slaughtered barrows and gilts for which a price has been established;
(ii)
all slaughter data for the total number of barrows and gilts slaughtered, including—
(I)
information concerning the net price, which shall be equal to the total amount paid by a packer to a producer (including all premiums, less all discounts) per hundred pounds of carcass weight of barrows and gilts delivered at the plant—
- (aa)
including any sum deducted from the price per hundredweight paid to a producer that reflects the repayment of a balance owed by the producer to the packer or the accumulation of a balance to later be repaid by the packer to the producer; and
- (bb)
excluding any sum earlier paid to a producer that must later be repaid to the packer;
(II)
information concerning the average net price, which shall be equal to the quotient (stated per hundred pounds of carcass weight of barrows and gilts) obtained by dividing—
- (aa)
the total amount paid for the barrows and gilts slaughtered at a packing plant during the applicable reporting period, including all premiums and discounts, and including any sum deducted from the price per hundredweight paid to a producer that reflects the repayment of a balance owed by the producer to the packer, or the accumulation of a balance to later be repaid by the packer to the producer, less all discounts; by
- (bb)
the total carcass weight (in hundred pound increments) of the barrows and gilts;
(III)
information concerning the lowest net price, which shall be equal to the lowest net price paid for a single lot or a group of barrows or gilts slaughtered at a packing plant during the applicable reporting period per hundred pounds of carcass weight of barrows and gilts;
(IV)
information concerning the highest net price, which shall be equal to the highest net price paid for a single lot or group of barrows or gilts slaughtered at a packing plant during the applicable reporting period per hundred pounds of carcass weight of barrows and gilts;
(V)
the average carcass weight, which shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing—
- (aa)
the total carcass weight of the barrows and gilts slaughtered at the packing plant during the applicable reporting period, by
- (bb)
the number of the barrows and gilts described in item (aa),
adjusted for special slaughter situations (such as skinning or foot removal), as the Secretary determines necessary to render comparable carcass weights;
(VI)
the average sort loss, which shall be equal to the average discount (in dollars per hundred pounds carcass weight) for barrows and gilts slaughtered during the applicable reporting period, resulting from the fact that the barrows and gilts did not fall within the individual packer's established carcass weight or lot variation range;
(VII)
the average backfat, which shall be equal to the average of the backfat thickness (in inches) measured between the third and fourth from the last ribs, 7 centimeters from the carcass split (or adjusted from the individual packer's measurement to that reference point using an adjustment made by the Secretary) of the barrows and gilts slaughtered during the applicable reporting period;
(VIII)
the average lean percentage, which shall be equal to the average percentage of the carcass weight comprised of lean meat for the barrows and gilts slaughtered during the applicable reporting period, except that when a packer is required to report the average lean percentage under this subclause, the packer shall make available to the Secretary the underlying data, applicable methodology and formulae, and supporting materials used to determine the average lean percentage, which the Secretary may convert to the carcass measurements or lean percentage of the barrows and gilts of the individual packer to correlate to a common percent lean measurement; and
(IX)
the total slaughter quantity, which shall be equal to the total number of barrows and gilts slaughtered during the applicable reporting period, including all types of purchases and barrows and gilts that qualify as packer-owned swine; and
(iii)
packer purchase commitments, which shall be equal to the number of barrows and gilts scheduled for delivery to a packer for slaughter for each of the next 14 calendar days.
(D)

Publication.—
(i)

In general.—
The Secretary shall publish the information obtained under this paragraph in a prior day report—
(I)
in the case of information regarding barrows and gilts purchased or priced, not later than 8:00 a.m. Central Time, and
(II)
in the case of information regarding barrows and gilts slaughtered, not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time,
on the reporting day on which the information is received from the packer.
(ii)

Price distributions.—
The information published by the Secretary under clause (i) shall include—
(I)
a distribution of net prices in the range between and including the lowest net price and the highest net price reported;
(II)
a delineation of the number of barrows and gilts at each reported price level or, at the option of the Secretary, the number of barrows and gilts within each of a series of reasonable price bands within the range of prices; and
(III)
the total number and weighted average price of barrows and gilts purchased through negotiated purchases and negotiated formula purchases.
(2)

Morning report.—
(A)

In general.—
The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant that processes barrows or gilts shall report to the Secretary not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time each reporting day—
(i)
the packer's best estimate of the total number of barrows and gilts, and barrows and gilts that qualify as packer-owned swine, expected to be purchased throughout the reporting day through each type of purchase;
(ii)
the total number of barrows and gilts, and barrows and gilts that qualify as packer-owned swine, purchased up to that time of the reporting day through each type of purchase;
(iii)
the base price paid for all base market hogs purchased up to that time of the reporting day through negotiated purchases; and
(iv)
the base price paid for all base market hogs purchased through each type of purchase other than negotiated purchase up to that time of the reporting day, unless such information is unavailable due to pricing that is determined on a delayed basis.
(B)

Publication.—
The Secretary shall publish the information obtained under this paragraph in the morning report as soon as practicable, but not later than 11:00 a.m. Central Time, on each reporting day.
(3)

Afternoon report.—
(A)

In general.—
The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant that processes barrows or gilts shall report to the Secretary not later than 2:00 p.m. Central Time each reporting day—
(i)
the packer's best estimate of the total number of barrows and gilts, and barrows and gilts that qualify as packer-owned swine, expected to be purchased throughout the reporting day through each type of purchase;
(ii)
the total number of barrows and gilts, and barrows and gilts that qualify as packer-owned swine, purchased up to that time of the reporting day through each type of purchase;
(iii)
the base price paid for all base market hogs purchased up to that time of the reporting day through negotiated purchases; and
(iv)
the base price paid for all base market hogs purchased up to that time of the reporting day through each type of purchase other than negotiated purchase, unless such information is unavailable due to pricing that is determined on a delayed basis.
(B)

Publication.—
The Secretary shall publish the information obtained under this paragraph in the afternoon report as soon as practicable, but not later than 3:00 p.m. Central Time, on each reporting day.
(C)

Late in the day report information.—
The Secretary shall include in the morning report and the afternoon report for the following day any information required to be reported under subparagraph (A) that is obtained after the time of the reporting day specified in that subparagraph.
(d)

Daily Reporting; Sows and Boars.—
(1)

Prior day report.—
The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer of sows and boars shall report to the Secretary, for each business day of the packer, such information reported by hog class as the Secretary determines necessary and appropriate to—
(A)
comply with the publication requirements of this section; and
(B)
provide for the timely access to the information by producers, packers, and other market participants.
(2)

Reporting.—
Not later than 9:30 a.m. Central Time, or such other time as the Secretary considers appropriate, on each reporting day, a packer required to report under paragraph (1) shall report information regarding all sows and boars purchased or priced during the prior business day of the packer.
(3)

Information required.—
The information from the prior business day of a packer required under this subsection shall include all purchase data, including—
(A)
the total number of sows purchased and the total number of boars purchased, each divided into at least three reasonable and meaningful weight classes specified by the Secretary;
(B)
the number of sows that qualify as packer-owned swine;
(C)
the number of boars that qualify as packer-owned swine;
(D)
the average price paid for all sows;
(E)
the average price paid for all boars;
(F)
the average price paid for sows in each weight class specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (A);
(G)
the average price paid for boars in each weight class specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (A);
(H)
the number of sows and the number of boars for which prices are determined, by each type of purchase;
(I)
the average prices for sows and the average prices for boars for which prices are determined, by each type of purchase; and
(J)
such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out this subsection.
(4)

Price calculations without packer-owned swine.—
A packer shall omit the prices of sows and boars that qualify as packer-owned swine from all average price calculations, price range calculations, and reports required by this subsection.
(5)

Reporting exception: public auction purchases.—
The information required to be reported under this subsection shall not include purchases of sows or boars made by agents of the reporting packer at a public auction at which the title of the sows and boars is transferred directly from the producer to such packer.
(6)

Publication.—
The Secretary shall publish the information obtained under this paragraph in a prior day report not later than 11:00 a.m. Central Time on the reporting day on which the information is received from the packer.
(7)

Electronic submission of information.—
The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide for the electronic submission of any information required to be reported under this subsection through an Internet website or equivalent electronic means maintained by the Department of Agriculture.
(e)

Weekly Noncarcass Merit Premium Report.—
(1)

In general.—
Not later than 4:00 p.m. Central Time on the first reporting day of each week, the corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant shall report to the Secretary a noncarcass merit premium report that lists—
(A)
each category of standard noncarcass merit premiums used by the packer in the prior slaughter week; and
(B)
the amount (in dollars per hundred pounds of carcass weight) paid to producers by the packer, by category.
(2)

Premium list.—
A packer shall maintain and make available to a producer, on request, a current listing of the dollar values (per hundred pounds of carcass weight) of each noncarcass merit premium used by the packer during the current or the prior slaughter week.
(3)

Availability.—
A packer shall not be required to pay a listed noncarcass merit premium to a producer that meets the requirements for the premium if the need for swine in a given category is filled at a particular point in time.
(4)

Publication.—
The Secretary shall publish the information obtained under this subsection as soon as practicable, but not later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time, on the first reporting day of each week.
SEC. 233.
[7 U.S.C. 1635k]

MANDATORY REPORTING OF WHOLESALE PORK CUTS.
(a)

Reporting.—
The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer shall report to the Secretary information concerning the price and volume of wholesale pork cuts, as the Secretary determines is necessary and appropriate.
(b)

Publication.—
The Secretary shall publish information reported under subsection (a) as the Secretary determines necessary and appropriate.
CHAPTER 4—

LAMB REPORTING
SEC. 241.
[7 U.S.C. 1635m]

MANDATORY REPORTING FOR LAMBS.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary may establish a program of mandatory lamb price information reporting that will—
(1)
provide timely, accurate, and reliable market information;
(2)
facilitate more informed marketing decisions; and
(3)
promote competition in the lamb slaughtering industry.
(b)

Notice and Comment.—
If the Secretary establishes a mandatory price reporting program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for comment on proposed regulations to establish the program during the 30-day period beginning on the date of the publication of the proposed regulations.
CHAPTER 5—

ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 251.
[7 U.S.C. 1636]

GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a)

Confidentiality.—
The Secretary shall make available to the public information, statistics, and documents obtained from, or submitted by, packers, retail entities, and other persons under this subtitle in a manner that ensures that confidentiality is preserved regarding—
(1)
the identity of persons, including parties to a contract; and
(2)
proprietary business information.
(b)

Disclosure by Federal Government Employees.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), no officer, employee, or agent of the United States shall, without the consent of the packer or other person concerned, divulge or make known in any manner, any facts or information regarding the business of the packer or other person that was acquired through reporting required under this subtitle.
(2)

Exceptions.—
Information obtained by the Secretary under this subtitle may be disclosed—
(A)
to agents or employees of the Department of Agriculture in the course of their official duties under this subtitle;
(B)
as directed by the Secretary or the Attorney General, for enforcement purposes; or
(C)
by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(3)

Disclosure under freedom of information act.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no facts or information obtained under this subtitle shall be disclosed in accordance with section 552 of title 5, United States Code.
(c)

Reporting by Packers.—
A packer shall report all information required under this subtitle on an individual lot basis.
(d)

Regional Reporting and Aggregation.—
The Secretary shall make information obtained under this subtitle available to the public only in a manner that—
(1)
ensures that the information is published on a national and a regional or statewide basis as the Secretary determines to be appropriate;
(2)
ensures that the identity of a reporting person is not disclosed; and
(3)
conforms to aggregation guidelines established by the Secretary.
(e)

Adjustments.—
Prior to the publication of any information required under this subtitle, the Secretary may make reasonable adjustments in information reported by packers to reflect price aberrations or other unusual or unique occurrences that the Secretary determines would distort the published information to the detriment of producers, packers, or other market participants.
(f)

Verification.—
The Secretary shall take such actions as the Secretary considers necessary to verify the accuracy of the information submitted or reported under chapter 2, 3, or 4.
(g)

Electronic Reporting and Publishing.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide for the reporting and publishing of the information required under this subtitle by electronic means.
(2)

Improvements and education.—
(A)

Enhanced electronic publishing.—
The Secretary shall develop and implement an enhanced system of electronic publishing to disseminate information collected pursuant to this subtitle. Such system shall—
(i)
present information in a format that can be readily understood by producers, packers, and other market participants;
(ii)
adhere to the publication deadlines in this subtitle;
(iii)
present information in charts and graphs, as appropriate;
(iv)
present comparative information for prior reporting periods, as the Secretary considers appropriate; and
(v)
be updated as soon as practicable after information is reported to the Secretary.
(B)

Education.—
The Secretary shall carry out a market news education program to educate the public and persons in the livestock and meat industries about—
(i)
usage of the system developed under subparagraph (A); and
(ii)
interpreting and understanding information collected and disseminated through such system.
(h)

Reporting of Activities on Weekends and Holidays.—
(1)

In general.—
Livestock committed to a packer, or purchased, sold, or slaughtered by a packer, on a weekend day or holiday shall be reported by the packer to the Secretary (to the extent required under this subtitle), and reported by the Secretary, on the immediately following reporting day.
(2)

Limitation on reporting by packers.—
A packer shall not be required to report actions under paragraph (1) more than once on the immediately following reporting day.
(i)

Effect on Other Laws.—
Nothing in this subtitle, the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999, or amendments made by that Act restricts or modifies the authority of the Secretary to—
(1)
administer or enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.);
(2)
administer, enforce, or collect voluntary reports under this title or any other law; or
(3)
access documentary evidence as provided under sections 9 and 10 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 49, 50).
SEC. 252.
[7 U.S.C. 1636a]

UNLAWFUL ACTS.
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this subtitle for any packer or other person subject to this subtitle (in the submission of information required under chapter 2, 3, or 4, as determined by the Secretary) to willfully—
(1)
fail or refuse to provide, or delay the timely reporting of, accurate information to the Secretary (including estimated information);
(2)
solicit or request that a packer, the buyer or seller of livestock or livestock products, or any other person fail to provide, as a condition of any transaction, accurate or timely information required under this subtitle;
(3)
fail or refuse to comply with this subtitle; or
(4)
report estimated information in any report required under this subtitle in a manner that demonstrates a pattern of significant variance in accuracy when compared to the actual information that is reported for the same reporting period, or as determined by any audit, oversight, or other verification procedures of the Secretary.
SEC. 253.
[7 U.S.C. 1636b]

ENFORCEMENT.
(a)

Civil Penalty.—
(1)

In general.—
Any packer or other person that violates this subtitle may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $10,000 for each violation.
(2)

Continuing violation.—
Each day during which a violation continues shall be considered to be a separate violation.
(3)

Factors.—
In determining the amount of a civil penalty to be assessed under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the gravity of the offense, the size of the business involved, and the effect of the penalty on the ability of the person that has committed the violation to continue in business.
(4)

Multiple violations.—
In determining whether to assess a civil penalty under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider whether a packer or other person subject to this subtitle has engaged in a pattern of errors, delays, or omissions in violation of this subtitle.
(b)

Cease and Desist.—
In addition to, or in lieu of, a civil penalty under subsection (a), the Secretary may issue an order to cease and desist from continuing any violation.
(c)

Notice and Hearing.—
No penalty shall be assessed, or cease and desist order issued, by the Secretary under this section unless the person against which the penalty is assessed or to which the order is issued is given notice and opportunity for a hearing before the Secretary with respect to the violation.
(d)

Finality and Judicial Review.—
(1)

In general.—
The order of the Secretary assessing a civil penalty or issuing a cease and desist order under this section shall be final and conclusive unless the affected person files an appeal of the order of the Secretary in United States district court not later than 30 days after the date of the issuance of the order.
(2)

Standard of review.—
A finding of the Secretary under this section shall be set aside only if the finding is found to be unsupported by substantial evidence.
(e)

Enforcement.—
(1)

In general.—
If, after the lapse of the period allowed for appeal or after the affirmance of a penalty assessed under this section, the person against which the civil penalty is assessed fails to pay the penalty, the Secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General who may recover the penalty by an action in United States district court.
(2)

Finality.—
In the action, the final order of the Secretary shall not be subject to review.
(f)

Injunction or Restraining Order.—
(1)

In general.—
If the Secretary has reason to believe that any person subject to this subtitle has failed or refused to provide the Secretary information required to be reported pursuant to this subtitle, and that it would be in the public interest to enjoin the person from further failure to comply with the reporting requirements, the Secretary may notify the Attorney General of the failure.
(2)

Attorney general.—
The Attorney General may apply to the appropriate district court of the United States for a temporary or permanent injunction or restraining order.
(3)

Court.—
When needed to carry out this subtitle, the court shall, on a proper showing, issue a temporary injunction or restraining order without bond.
(g)

Failure To Obey Orders.—
(1)

In general.—
If a person subject to this subtitle fails to obey a cease and desist or civil penalty order issued under this subsection after the order has become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate United States district court has entered a final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the United States may apply to the appropriate district court for enforcement of the order.
(2)

Enforcement.—
If the court determines that the order was lawfully made and duly served and that the person violated the order, the court shall enforce the order.
(3)

Civil penalty.—
If the court finds that the person violated the cease and desist provisions of the order, the person shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each offense.
SEC. 254.
[7 U.S.C. 1636c]

FEES.
The Secretary shall not charge or assess a user fee, transaction fee, service charge, assessment, reimbursement, or any other fee for the submission or reporting of information, for the receipt or availability of, or access to, published reports or information, or for any other activity required under this subtitle.
SEC. 255.
[7 U.S.C. 1636d]

RECORDKEEPING.
(a)

In General.—
Subject to subsection (b), each packer required to report information to the Secretary under this subtitle shall maintain, and make available to the Secretary on request, for 2 years—
(1)
the original contracts, agreements, receipts and other records associated with any transaction relating to the purchase, sale, pricing, transportation, delivery, weighing, slaughter, or carcass characteristics of all livestock; and
(2)
such records or other information as is necessary or appropriate to verify the accuracy of the information required to be reported under this subtitle.
(b)

Limitations.—
Under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary may not require a packer to provide new or additional information if—
(1)
the information is not generally available or maintained by packers; or
(2)
the provision of the information would be unduly burdensome.
(c)

Purchases of Cattle or Swine.—
A record of a purchase of a lot of cattle or a lot of swine by a packer shall evidence whether the purchase occurred—
(1)
before 10:00 a.m. Central Time;
(2)
between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Central Time; or
(3)
after 2:00 p.m. Central Time.
SEC. 256.
[7 U.S.C. 1636e]

VOLUNTARY REPORTING.
The Secretary shall encourage voluntary reporting by packers (as defined in section 201 of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 191)) to which the mandatory reporting requirements of this subtitle do not apply.
SEC. 257.
[7 U.S.C. 1636f]

PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION ON RETAIL PURCHASE PRICES FOR REPRESENTATIVE MEAT PRODUCTS.
(a)

In General.—
Beginning not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this subtitle, the Secretary shall compile and publish at least monthly (weekly, if practicable) information on retail prices for representative food products made from beef, pork, chicken, turkey, veal, or lamb.
(b)

Information.—
The report published by the Secretary under subsection (a) shall include—
(1)
information on retail prices for each representative food product described in subsection (a); and
(2)
information on total sales quantity (in pounds and dollars) for each representative food product.
(c)

Meat Price Spreads Report.—
During the period ending 2 years after the initial publication of the report required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall continue to publish the Meat Price Spreads Report in the same manner as the Report was published before the date of the enactment of this subtitle.
(d)

Information Collection.—
(1)

In general.—
To ensure the accuracy of the reports required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall obtain the information for the reports from one or more sources including—
(A)
a consistently representative set of retail transactions; and
(B)
both prices and sales quantities for the transactions.
(2)

Source of information.—
The Secretary may—
(A)
obtain the information from retailers or commercial information sources; and
(B)
use valid statistical sampling procedures, if necessary.
(3)

Adjustments.—
In providing information on retail prices under this section, the Secretary may make adjustments to take into account differences in—
(A)
the geographic location of consumption;
(B)
the location of the principal source of supply;
(C)
distribution costs; and
(D)
such other factors as the Secretary determines reflect a verifiable comparative retail price for a representative food product.
(e)

Administration.—
The Secretary—
(1)
shall collect information under this section only on a voluntary basis; and
(2)
shall not impose a penalty on a person for failure to provide the information or otherwise compel a person to provide the information.
SEC. 258.
[7 U.S.C. 1636g]

SUSPENSION AUTHORITY REGARDING SPECIFIC TERMS OF PRICE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary may suspend any requirement of this subtitle if the Secretary determines that application of the requirement is inconsistent with the purposes of this subtitle.
(b)

Suspension Procedure.—
(1)

Period.—
A suspension under subsection (a) shall be for a period of not more than 240 days.
(2)

Action by congress.—
If an Act of Congress concerning the requirement that is the subject of the suspension under subsection (a) is not enacted by the end of the period of the suspension established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall implement the requirement.
SEC. 259.
[7 U.S.C. 1636h]

FEDERAL PREEMPTION.
In order to achieve the goals, purposes, and objectives of this title on a nationwide basis and to avoid potentially conflicting State laws that could impede the goals, purposes, or objectives of this title, no State or political subdivision of a State may impose a requirement that is in addition to, or inconsistent with, any requirement of this subtitle with respect to the submission or reporting of information, or the publication of such information, on the prices and quantities of livestock or livestock products.
SEC. 260.
[7 U.S.C. 1636i]

TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.
The authority provided by this subtitle terminates on September 30, 2026.
Subtitle C—

Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting
SEC. 271.
[7 U.S.C. 1637]

PURPOSE.
The purpose of this subtitle is to establish a program of information regarding the marketing of dairy products that—
(1)
provides information that can be readily understood by producers and other market participants, including information with respect to prices, quantities sold, and inventories of dairy products;
(2)
improves the price and supply reporting services of the Department of Agriculture; and
(3)
encourages competition in the marketplace for dairy products.
SEC. 272.
[7 U.S.C. 1637a]

DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1)

Dairy products.—
The term “dairy products” means—
(A)
manufactured dairy products that are used by the Secretary to establish minimum prices for Class III and Class IV milk under a Federal milk marketing order issued under section 8c of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937; and
(B)
substantially identical products designated by the Secretary.
(2)

Manufacturer.—
The term “manufacturer” means any person engaged in the business of buying milk in commerce for the purpose of manufacturing dairy products.
(3)

Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC. 273.
[7 U.S.C. 1637b]

MANDATORY REPORTING FOR DAIRY PRODUCTS.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary shall establish a program of mandatory dairy product information reporting that will—
(1)
provide timely, accurate, and reliable market information;
(2)
facilitate more informed marketing decisions; and
(3)
promote competition in the dairy product manufacturing industry.
(b)

Requirements.—
(1)

In general.—
In establishing the program, the Secretary shall only—
(A)
(i)
subject to the conditions described in paragraph (2), require each manufacturer to report to the Secretary information concerning the price, quantity, and moisture content of dairy products sold by the manufacturer; and
(ii)
modify the format used to provide the information on the day before the date of enactment of this subtitle to ensure that the information can be readily understood by market participants; and
(B)
require each manufacturer and other person storing dairy products to report to the Secretary, at a periodic interval determined by the Secretary, information on the quantity of dairy products stored.
(2)

Conditions.—
The conditions referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(i) are that—
(A)
the information referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(i) is required only with respect to those package sizes actually used to establish minimum prices for Class III or Class IV milk under a Federal milk marketing order;
(B)
the information referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(i) is required only to the extent that the information is actually used to establish minimum prices for Class III or Class IV milk under a Federal milk marketing order;
(C)
the frequency of the required reporting under paragraph (1)(A)(i) does not exceed the frequency used to establish minimum prices for Class III or Class IV milk under a Federal milk marketing order; and
(D)
the Secretary may exempt from all reporting requirements any manufacturer that processes and markets less than 1,000,000 pounds of dairy products per year.
(c)

Administration.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to ensure compliance with, and otherwise carry out, this subtitle.
(2)

Confidentiality.—
(A)

In general.—
Except as otherwise directed by the Secretary or the Attorney General for enforcement purposes, no officer, employee, or agent of the United States shall make available to the public information, statistics, or documents obtained from or submitted by any person under this subtitle other than in a manner that ensures that confidentiality is preserved regarding the identity of persons, including parties to a contract, and proprietary business information.
(B)

Relation to other requirements.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no facts or information obtained under this subtitle shall be disclosed in accordance with section 552 of title 5, United States Code.
(3)

Verification.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall take such actions as the Secretary considers necessary to verify the accuracy of the information submitted or reported under this subtitle.
(B)

Quarterly audits.—
The Secretary shall quarterly conduct an audit of information submitted or reported under this subtitle and compare such information with other related dairy market statistics.
(4)

Enforcement.—
(A)

Unlawful act.—
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this subtitle for any person subject to this subtitle to willfully fail or refuse to provide, or delay the timely reporting of, accurate information to the Secretary in accordance with this subtitle.
(B)

Order.—
After providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing to affected persons, the Secretary may issue an order against any person to cease and desist from continuing any violation of this subtitle.
(C)

Appeal.—
(i)

In general.—
The order of the Secretary under subparagraph (B) shall be final and conclusive unless an affected person files an appeal of the order of the Secretary in United States district court not later than 30 days after the date of the issuance of the order.
(ii)

Findings.—
A finding of the Secretary under this paragraph shall be set aside only if the finding is found to be unsupported by substantial evidence.
(D)

Noncompliance with order.—
(i)

In general.—
If a person subject to this subtitle fails to obey an order issued under this paragraph after the order has become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate United States district court has entered a final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the United States may apply to the appropriate United States district court for enforcement of the order.
(ii)

Enforcement.—
If the court determines that the order was lawfully made and duly served and that the person violated the order, the court shall enforce the order.
(iii)

Civil penalty.—
If the court finds that the person violated the order, the person shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each offense.
(5)

Fees.—
The Secretary shall not charge or assess a user fee, transaction fee, service charge, assessment, reimbursement fee, or any other fee under this subtitle for—
(A)
the submission or reporting of information;
(B)
the receipt or availability of, or access to, published reports or information; or
(C)
any other activity required under this subtitle.
(6)

Recordkeeping.—
Each person required to report information to the Secretary under this subtitle shall maintain, and make available to the Secretary, on request, original contracts, agreements, receipts, and other records associated with the sale or storage of any dairy products during the 2-year period beginning on the date of the creation of the records.
(d)

Electronic Reporting.—
(1)

Electronic reporting system required.—
The Secretary shall establish an electronic reporting system to carry out this section.
(2)

Publication.—
Not later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Wednesday of each week, the Secretary shall publish a report containing the information obtained under this section for the preceding week.
(e)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
Subtitle D—

Country of Origin Labeling
SEC. 281.
[7 U.S.C. 1638]

DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1)

Covered commodity.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “covered commodity” means—
(i)
muscle cuts of lamb and venison;
(ii)
ground lamb and ground venison;
(iii)
farm-raised fish;
(iv)
wild fish;
(v)
a perishable agricultural commodity;
(vi)
peanuts; and
(vii)
meat produced from goats;
(viii)
chicken, in whole and in part;
(ix)
ginseng;
(x)
pecans; and
(xi)
macadamia nuts.
(B)

Exclusions.—
The term “covered commodity” does not include an item described in subparagraph (A) if the item is an ingredient in a processed food item.
(2)

Farm-raised fish.—
The term “farm-raised fish” includes—
(A)
farm-raised shellfish; and
(B)
fillets, steaks, nuggets, and any other flesh from a farm-raised fish or shellfish.
(3)

Food service establishment.—
The term “food service establishment” means a restaurant, cafeteria, lunch room, food stand, saloon, tavern, bar, lounge, or other similar facility operated as an enterprise engaged in the business of selling food to the public.
(4)

Lamb.—
The term “lamb” means meat, other than mutton, produced from sheep.
(5)

Perishable agricultural commodity; retailer.—
The terms “perishable agricultural commodity” and “retailer” have the meanings given the terms in section 1(b) of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930 (7 U.S.C. 499a(b)).
(6)

Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Agricultural Marketing Service.
(7)

Wild fish.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “wild fish” means naturally-born or hatchery-raised fish and shellfish harvested in the wild.
(B)

Inclusions.—
The term “wild fish” includes a fillet, steak, nugget, and any other flesh from wild fish or shellfish.
(C)

Exclusions.—
The term “wild fish” excludes net-pen aquacultural or other farm-raised fish.
SEC. 282.
[7 U.S.C. 1638a]

NOTICE OF COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
(a)

In General.—
(1)

Requirement.—
Except as provided in subsection (b), a retailer of a covered commodity shall inform consumers, at the final point of sale of the covered commodity to consumers, of the country of origin of the covered commodity.
(2)

Designation of country of origin for lamb, chicken, goat, and venison meat.—
(A)

United states country of origin.—
A retailer of a covered commodity that is lamb, chicken, goat, or venison meat may designate the covered commodity as exclusively having a United States country of origin only if the covered commodity is derived from an animal that was—
(i)
exclusively born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States;
(ii)
born and raised in Alaska or Hawaii and transported for a period of not more than 60 days through Canada to the United States and slaughtered in the United States; or
(iii)
present in the United States on or before July 15, 2008, and once present in the United States, remained continuously in the United States.
(B)

Multiple countries of origin.—
(i)

In general.—
A retailer of a covered commodity that is lamb, chicken, goat, or venison meat that is derived from an animal that is—
(I)
not exclusively born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States,
(II)
born, raised, or slaughtered in the United States, and
(III)
not imported into the United States for immediate slaughter,
may designate the country of origin of such covered commodity as all of the countries in which the animal may have been born, raised, or slaughtered.
(ii)

Relation to general requirement.—
Nothing in this subparagraph alters the mandatory requirement to inform consumers of the country of origin of covered commodities under paragraph (1).
(C)

Imported for immediate slaughter.—
A retailer of a covered commodity that is lamb, chicken, goat, or venison meat that is derived from an animal that is imported into the United States for immediate slaughter shall designate the origin of such covered commodity as—
(i)
the country from which the animal was imported; and
(ii)
the United States.
(D)

Foreign country of origin.—
A retailer of a covered commodity that is lamb, chicken, goat, or venison meat that is derived from an animal that is not born, raised, or slaughtered in the United States shall designate a country other than the United States as the country of origin of such commodity.
(E)

Ground lamb, chicken, goat, and venison.—
The notice of country of origin for ground lamb, ground chicken, ground goat, or ground venison shall include—
(i)
a list of all countries of origin of such ground lamb, ground chicken, ground goat, or ground venison; or
(ii)
a list of all reasonably possible countries of origin of such ground lamb, ground chicken, ground goat, or ground venison.
(3)

Designation of country of origin for fish.—
(A)

In general.—
A retailer of a covered commodity that is farm-raised fish or wild fish may designate the covered commodity as having a United States country of origin only if the covered commodity—
(i)
in the case of farm-raised fish, is hatched, raised, harvested, and processed in the United States; and
(ii)
in the case of wild fish, is—
(I)
harvested in the United States, a territory of the United States, or a State, or by a vessel that is documented under chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, or registered in the United States; and
(II)
processed in the United States, a territory of the United States, or a State, including the waters thereof, or aboard a vessel that is documented under chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, or registered in the United States.
(B)

Designation of wild fish and farm-raised fish.—
The notice of country of origin for wild fish and farm-raised fish shall distinguish between wild fish and farm-raised fish.
(4)

Designation of country of origin for perishable agricultural commodities, ginseng, peanuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts.—
(A)

In general.—
A retailer of a covered commodity that is a perishable agricultural commodity, ginseng, peanut, pecan, or macadamia nut may designate the covered commodity as having a United States country of origin only if the covered commodity is exclusively produced in the United States.
(B)

State, region, locality of the united states.—
With respect to a covered commodity that is a perishable agricultural commodity, ginseng, peanut, pecan, or macadamia nut produced exclusively in the United States, designation by a retailer of the State, region, or locality of the United States where such commodity was produced shall be sufficient to identify the United States as the country of origin.
(b)

Exemption for Food Service Establishments.—
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a covered commodity if the covered commodity is—
(1)
prepared or served in a food service establishment; and
(2)
(A)
offered for sale or sold at the food service establishment in normal retail quantities; or
(B)
served to consumers at the food service establishment.
(c)

Method of Notification.—
(1)

In general.—
The information required by subsection (a) may be provided to consumers by means of a label, stamp, mark, placard, or other clear and visible sign on the covered commodity or on the package, display, holding unit, or bin containing the commodity at the final point of sale to consumers.
(2)

Labeled commodities.—
If the covered commodity is already individually labeled for retail sale regarding country of origin, the retailer shall not be required to provide any additional information to comply with this section.
(d)

Audit Verification System.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary may conduct an audit of any person that prepares, stores, handles, or distributes a covered commodity for retail sale to verify compliance with this subtitle (including the regulations promulgated under section 284(b)).
(2)

Record requirements.—
(A)

In general.—
A person subject to an audit under paragraph (1) shall provide the Secretary with verification of the country of origin of covered commodities. Records maintained in the course of the normal conduct of the business of such person, including animal health papers, import or customs documents, or producer affidavits, may serve as such verification.
(B)

Prohibition on requirement of additional records.—
The Secretary may not require a person that prepares, stores, handles, or distributes a covered commodity to maintain a record of the country of origin of a covered commodity other than those maintained in the course of the normal conduct of the business of such person.
(e)

Information.—
Any person engaged in the business of supplying a covered commodity to a retailer shall provide information to the retailer indicating the country of origin of the covered commodity.
(f)

Certification of Origin.—
(1)

Mandatory identification.—
The Secretary shall not use a mandatory identification system to verify the country of origin of a covered commodity.
(2)

Existing certification programs.—
To certify the country of origin of a covered commodity, the Secretary may use as a model certification programs in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, including—
(A)
the carcass grading and certification system carried out under this Act;
(B)
the origin verification system established to carry out the child and adult care food program established under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766); or
(C)
the origin verification system established to carry out the market access program under section 203(b) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623(b)).
SEC. 283.
[7 U.S.C. 1638b]

ENFORCEMENT.
(a)

Warnings.—
If the Secretary determines that a retailer or person engaged in the business of supplying a covered commodity to a retailer is in violation of section 282, the Secretary shall—
(1)
notify the retailer of the determination of the Secretary; and
(2)
provide the retailer a 30-day period, beginning on the date on which the retailer receives the notice under paragraph (1) from the Secretary, during which the retailer may take necessary steps to comply with section 282.
(b)

Fines.—
If, on completion of the 30-day period described in subsection (a)(2), the Secretary determines that the retailer or person engaged in the business of supplying a covered commodity to a retailer has—
(1)
not made a good faith effort to comply with section 282, and
(2)
continues to willfully violate section 282 with respect to the violation about which the retailer or person received notification under subsection (a)(1),
after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing before the Secretary with respect to the violation, the Secretary may fine the retailer or person in an amount of not more than $1,000 for each violation.
SEC. 284.
[7 U.S.C. 1638c]

REGULATIONS.
(a)

Guidelines.—
Not later than September 30, 2002, the Secretary shall issue guidelines for the voluntary country of origin labeling of covered commodities based on the requirements of section 282.
(b)

Regulations.—
Not later than September 30, 2004, the Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this subtitle.
(c)

Partnerships With States.—
In promulgating the regulations, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enter into partnerships with States with enforcement infrastructure to assist in the administration of this subtitle.
SEC. 285.
[7 U.S.C. 1638d]

APPLICABILITY.
This subtitle shall apply to the retail sale of a covered commodity beginning September 30, 2008, except for “farm-raised fish” and “wild fish” which shall be September 30, 2004.
Subtitle E—

National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
SEC. 291.
[7 U.S.C. 1639]

DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1)

Bioengineering.—
The term “bioengineering”, and any similar term, as determined by the Secretary, with respect to a food, refers to a food—
(A)
that contains genetic material that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques; and
(B)
for which the modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.
(2)

Food.—
The term “food” means a food (as defined in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321)) that is intended for human consumption.
(3)

Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC. 292.
[7 U.S.C. 1639a]

APPLICABILITY.
(a)

In General.—
This subtitle shall apply to any claim in a disclosure that a food bears that indicates that the food is a bioengineered food.
(b)

Application of Definition.—
The definition of the term “bioengineering” under section 291 shall not affect any other definition, program, rule, or regulation of the Federal Government.
(c)

Application to Foods.—
This subtitle shall apply only to a food subject to—
(1)
the labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.); or
(2)
the labeling requirements under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), or the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.) only if—
(A)
the most predominant ingredient of the food would independently be subject to the labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.); or
(B)
(i)
the most predominant ingredient of the food is broth, stock, water, or a similar solution; and
(ii)
the second-most predominant ingredient of the food would independently be subject to the labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.).
SEC. 293.
[7 U.S.C. 1639b]

ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL BIOENGINEERED FOOD DISCLOSURE STANDARD.
(a)

Establishment of Mandatory Standard.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this subtitle, the Secretary shall—
(1)
establish a national mandatory bioengineered food disclosure standard with respect to any bioengineered food and any food that may be bioengineered; and
(2)
establish such requirements and procedures as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the standard.
(b)

Regulations.—
(1)

In general.—
A food may bear a disclosure that the food is bioengineered only in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary in accordance with this subtitle.
(2)

Requirements.—
A regulation promulgated by the Secretary in carrying out this subtitle shall—
(A)
prohibit a food derived from an animal to be considered a bioengineered food solely because the animal consumed feed produced from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered substance;
(B)
determine the amounts of a bioengineered substance that may be present in food, as appropriate, in order for the food to be a bioengineered food;
(C)
establish a process for requesting and granting a determination by the Secretary regarding other factors and conditions under which a food is considered a bioengineered food;
(D)
in accordance with subsection (d), require that the form of a food disclosure under this section be a text, symbol, or electronic or digital link, but excluding Internet website Uniform Resource Locators not embedded in the link, with the disclosure option to be selected by the food manufacturer;
(E)
provide alternative reasonable disclosure options for food contained in small or very small packages;
(F)
in the case of small food manufacturers, provide—
(i)
an implementation date that is not earlier than 1 year after the implementation date for regulations promulgated in accordance with this section; and
(ii)
on-package disclosure options, in addition to those available under subparagraph (D), to be selected by the small food manufacturer, that consist of—
(I)
a telephone number accompanied by appropriate language to indicate that the phone number provides access to additional information; and
(II)
an Internet website maintained by the small food manufacturer in a manner consistent with subsection (d), as appropriate; and
(G)
exclude—
(i)
food served in a restaurant or similar retail food establishment; and
(ii)
very small food manufacturers.
(3)

Safety.—
For the purpose of regulations promulgated and food disclosures made pursuant to paragraph (2), a bioengineered food that has successfully completed the pre-market Federal regulatory review process shall not be treated as safer than, or not as safe as, a non-bioengineered counterpart of the food solely because the food is bioengineered or produced or developed with the use of bioengineering.
(c)

Study of Electronic or Digital Link Disclosure.—
(1)

In general.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subtitle, the Secretary shall conduct a study to identify potential technological challenges that may impact whether consumers would have access to the bioengineering disclosure through electronic or digital disclosure methods.
(2)

Public comments.—
In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall solicit and consider comments from the public.
(3)

Factors.—
The study conducted under paragraph (1) shall consider whether consumer access to the bioengineering disclosure through electronic or digital disclosure methods under this subtitle would be affected by the following factors:
(A)
The availability of wireless Internet or cellular networks.
(B)
The availability of landline telephones in stores.
(C)
Challenges facing small retailers and rural retailers.
(D)
The efforts that retailers and other entities have taken to address potential technology and infrastructure challenges.
(E)
The costs and benefits of installing in retail stores electronic or digital link scanners or other evolving technology that provide bioengineering disclosure information.
(4)

Additional disclosure options.—
If the Secretary determines in the study conducted under paragraph (1) that consumers, while shopping, would not have sufficient access to the bioengineering disclosure through electronic or digital disclosure methods, the Secretary, after consultation with food retailers and manufacturers, shall provide additional and comparable options to access the bioengineering disclosure.
(d)

Disclosure.—
In promulgating regulations under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that—
(1)
on-package language accompanies—
(A)
the electronic or digital link disclosure, indicating that the electronic or digital link will provide access to an Internet website or other landing page by stating only “Scan here for more food information”, or equivalent language that only reflects technological changes; or
(B)
any telephone number disclosure, indicating that the telephone number will provide access to additional information by stating only “Call for more food information.”;
(2)
the electronic or digital link will provide access to the bioengineering disclosure located, in a consistent and conspicuous manner, on the first product information page that appears for the product on a mobile device, Internet website, or other landing page, which shall exclude marketing and promotional information;
(3)
(A)
the electronic or digital link disclosure may not collect, analyze, or sell any personally identifiable information about consumers or the devices of consumers; but
(B)
if information described in subparagraph (A) must be collected to carry out the purposes of this subtitle, that information shall be deleted immediately and not used for any other purpose;
(4)
the electronic or digital link disclosure also includes a telephone number that provides access to the bioengineering disclosure; and
(5)
the electronic or digital link disclosure is of sufficient size to be easily and effectively scanned or read by a digital device.
(e)

State Food Labeling Standards.—
Notwithstanding section 295, no State or political subdivision of a State may directly or indirectly establish under any authority or continue in effect as to any food in interstate commerce any requirement relating to the labeling or disclosure of whether a food is bioengineered or was developed or produced using bioengineering for a food that is the subject of the national bioengineered food disclosure standard under this section that is not identical to the mandatory disclosure requirement under that standard.
(f)

Consistency With Certain Laws.—
The Secretary shall consider establishing consistency between—
(1)
the national bioengineered food disclosure standard established under this section; and
(2)
the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) and any rules or regulations implementing that Act.
(g)

Enforcement.—
(1)

Prohibited act.—
It shall be a prohibited act for a person to knowingly fail to make a disclosure as required under this section.
(2)

Recordkeeping.—
Each person subject to the mandatory disclosure requirement under this section shall maintain, and make available to the Secretary, on request, such records as the Secretary determines to be customary or reasonable in the food industry, by regulation, to establish compliance with this section.
(3)

Examination and audit.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary may conduct an examination, audit, or similar activity with respect to any records required under paragraph (2).
(B)

Notice and hearing.—
A person subject to an examination, audit, or similar activity under subparagraph (A) shall be provided notice and opportunity for a hearing on the results of any examination, audit, or similar activity.
(C)

Audit results.—
After the notice and opportunity for a hearing under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall make public the summary of any examination, audit, or similar activity under subparagraph (A).
(4)

Recall authority.—
The Secretary shall have no authority to recall any food subject to this subtitle on the basis of whether the food bears a disclosure that the food is bioengineered.
SEC. 294.
[7 U.S.C. 1639c]

SAVINGS PROVISIONS.
(a)

Trade.—
This subtitle shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international agreements.
(b)

Other Authorities.—
Nothing in this subtitle—
(1)
affects the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services or creates any rights or obligations for any person under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.); or
(2)
affects the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury or creates any rights or obligations for any person under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.).
(c)

Other.—
A food may not be considered to be “not bioengineered”, “non-GMO”, or any other similar claim describing the absence of bioengineering in the food solely because the food is not required to bear a disclosure that the food is bioengineered under this subtitle.
Subtitle F—

Labeling of Certain Food
SEC. 295.
[7 U.S.C. 1639i]

FEDERAL PREEMPTION.
(a)

Definition of Food.—
In this subtitle, the term “food” has the meaning given the term in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(b)

Federal Preemption.—
No State or a political subdivision of a State may directly or indirectly establish under any authority or continue in effect as to any food or seed in interstate commerce any requirement relating to the labeling of whether a food (including food served in a restaurant or similar establishment) or seed is genetically engineered (which shall include such other similar terms as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture) or was developed or produced using genetic engineering, including any requirement for claims that a food or seed is or contains an ingredient that was developed or produced using genetic engineering.
SEC. 296.
[7 U.S.C. 1639j]

EXCLUSION FROM FEDERAL PREEMPTION.
Nothing in this subtitle, subtitle E, or any regulation, rule, or requirement promulgated in accordance with this subtitle or subtitle E shall be construed to preempt any remedy created by a State or Federal statutory or common law right.
Subtitle G—

Hemp Production
SEC. 297A.7
[7 U.S.C. 1639o]

DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1)

Hemp.—
The term “hemp” means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
^7
For version of section 297A, as amended by section 781 of division B of Public Law 119–37, that takes effect on November 12, 2026, see bracketed note below.
(2)

Indian tribe.—
The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(3)

Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(4)

State.—
The term “State” means—
(A)
a State;
(B)
the District of Columbia;
(C)
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(D)
any other territory or possession of the United States.
(5)

State department of agriculture.—
The term “State department of agriculture” means the agency, commission, or department of a State government responsible for agriculture in the State.
(6)

Tribal government.—
The term “Tribal government” means the governing body of an Indian tribe.
[Note: Effective on November 12, 2026, section 781 of division B of Public Law 119–37 provides for amendments to section 297A. Upon such date, section 297A reads as follows:]
SEC. 297A.
[7 U.S.C. 1639o]

DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1)

Hemp.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “hemp” means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a total tetrahydrocannabinols concentration (including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
(B)

Inclusion.—
Such term includes industrial hemp.
(C)

Exclusions.—
Such term does not include—
(i)
any viable seeds from a Cannabis sativa L. plant that exceeds a total tetrahydrocannabinols concentration (including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) of 0.3 percent in the plant on a dry weight basis; or
(ii)
any intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing—
(I)
cannabinoids that are not capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant;
(II)
cannabinoids that—
- (aa)
are capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant; and
- (bb)
were synthesized or manufactured outside the plant; or
(III)
more than 0.3 percent combined total of—
- (aa)
total tetrahydrocannabinols (including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid); and
- (bb)
any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals as a tetrahydrocannabinol (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services); or
(iii)
any intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products which are marketed or sold as a final product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use; or
(iv)
any final hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing—
(I)
cannabinoids that are not capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant;
(II)
cannabinoids that—
- (aa)
are capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant; and
- (bb)
were synthesized or manufactured outside the plant; or
(III)
greater than 0.4 milligrams combined total per container of—
- (aa)
total tetrahydrocannabinols (including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid); and
- (bb)
any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals as a tetrahydrocannabinol (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services).
(2)

Industrial hemp.—
The term “industrial hemp” means hemp—
(A)
grown for the use of the stalk of the plant, fiber produced from such a stalk, or any other non-cannabinoid derivative, mixture, preparation, or manufacture of such a stalk;
(B)
grown for the use of the whole grain, oil, cake, nut, hull, or any other non-cannabinoid compound, derivative, mixture, preparation, or manufacture of the seeds of such plant;
(C)
grown for purposes of producing microgreens or other edible hemp leaf products intended for human consumption that are derived from an immature hemp plant that is grown from seeds that do not exceed the threshold for total tetrahydrocannabinols concentration specified in paragraph (1)(C)(i);
(D)
that is a plant that does not enter the stream of commerce and is intended to support hemp research at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) or an independent research institute; or
(E)
grown for the use of a viable seed of the plant produced solely for the production or manufacture of any material described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
(3)

Hemp-derived cannabinoid product.—
(A)

In general.—
The term “hemp-derived cannabinoid product” means any intermediate or final product derived from hemp (other than industrial hemp), that—
(i)
contains cannabinoids in any form; and
(ii)
is intended for human or animal use through any means of application or administration, such as inhalation, ingestion, or topical application.
(B)
The term “intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid product” means a hemp-derived cannabinoid product which—
(i)
is not yet in the final form or preparation marketed or intended to be used or consumed by a human or animal; or
(ii)
is a powder, liquid, tablet, oil, or other product form which is intended or marketed to be mixed, dissolved, formulated, or otherwise added to or prepared with or into any other substance prior to administration or consumption.
(C)
The term “container” means the innermost wrapping, packaging, or vessel in direct contact with a final hemp-derived cannabinoid product in which the final hemp-derived cannabinoid product is enclosed for retail sale to consumers, such as a jar, bottle, bag, box, packet, can, carton, or cartridge.
(D)
The term container excludes bulk shipping containers or outer wrappings that are not essential for the final retail delivery or sale to an end consumer for personal or household use.
(E)

Exclusion.—
Such term does not include a drug that is the subject of an application approved under subsection (c) or (j) of section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355).
(4)

Indian tribe.—
The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(5)

Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(6)

State.—
The term “State” means—
(A)
a State;
(B)
the District of Columbia;
(C)
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(D)
any other territory or possession of the United States.
(7)

State department of agriculture.—
The term “State department of agriculture” means the agency, commission, or department of a State government responsible for agriculture in the State.
(8)

Tribal government.—
The term “Tribal government” means the governing body of an Indian tribe.
SEC. 297B.
[7 U.S.C. 1639p]

STATE AND TRIBAL PLANS.
(a)

Submission.—
(1)

In general.—
A State or Indian tribe desiring to have primary regulatory authority over the production of hemp in the State or territory of the Indian tribe shall submit to the Secretary, through the State department of agriculture (in consultation with the Governor and chief law enforcement officer of the State) or the Tribal government, as applicable, a plan under which the State or Indian tribe monitors and regulates that production as described in paragraph (2).
(2)

Contents.—
A State or Tribal plan referred to in paragraph (1)—
(A)
shall only be required to include—
(i)
a practice to maintain relevant information regarding land on which hemp is produced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe, including a legal description of the land, for a period of not less than 3 calendar years;
(ii)
a procedure for testing, using post-decarboxylation or other similarly reliable methods, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of hemp produced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe;
(iii)
a procedure for the effective disposal of—
(I)
plants, whether growing or not, that are produced in violation of this subtitle; and
(II)
products derived from those plants;
(iv)
a procedure to comply with the enforcement procedures under subsection (e);
(v)
a procedure for conducting annual inspections of, at a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers to verify that hemp is not produced in violation of this subtitle;
(vi)
a procedure for submitting the information described in section 297C(d)(2), as applicable, to the Secretary not more than 30 days after the date on which the information is received; and
(vii)
a certification that the State or Indian tribe has the resources and personnel to carry out the practices and procedures described in clauses (i) through (vi); and
(B)
may include any other practice or procedure established by a State or Indian tribe, as applicable, to the extent that the practice or procedure is consistent with this subtitle.
(3)

Relation to state and tribal law.—
(A)

No preemption.—
Nothing in this subsection preempts or limits any law of a State or Indian tribe that—
(i)
regulates the production of hemp; and
(ii)
is more stringent than this subtitle.
(B)

References in plans.—
A State or Tribal plan referred to in paragraph (1) may include a reference to a law of the State or Indian tribe regulating the production of hemp, to the extent that law is consistent with this subtitle.
(b)

Approval.—
(1)

In general.—
Not later than 60 days after receipt of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(A)
approve the State or Tribal plan if the State or Tribal plan complies with subsection (a); or
(B)
disapprove the State or Tribal plan only if the State or Tribal plan does not comply with subsection (a).
(2)

Amended plans.—
If the Secretary disapproves a State or Tribal plan under paragraph (1)(B), the State, through the State department of agriculture (in consultation with the Governor and chief law enforcement officer of the State) or the Tribal government, as applicable, may submit to the Secretary an amended State or Tribal plan that complies with subsection (a).
(3)

Consultation.—
The Secretary shall consult with the Attorney General in carrying out this subsection.
(c)

Audit of State Compliance.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary may conduct an audit of the compliance of a State or Indian tribe with a State or Tribal plan approved under subsection (b).
(2)

Noncompliance.—
If the Secretary determines under an audit conducted under paragraph (1) that a State or Indian tribe is not materially in compliance with a State or Tribal plan—
(A)
the Secretary shall collaborate with the State or Indian tribe to develop a corrective action plan in the case of a first instance of noncompliance; and
(B)
the Secretary may revoke approval of the State or Tribal plan in the case of a second or subsequent instance of noncompliance.
(d)

Technical Assistance.—
The Secretary may provide technical assistance to a State or Indian tribe in the development of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a).
(e)

Violations.—
(1)

In general.—
A violation of a State or Tribal plan approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to enforcement solely in accordance with this subsection.
(2)

Negligent violation.—
(A)

In general.—
A hemp producer in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph if the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, determines that the hemp producer has negligently violated the State or Tribal plan, including by negligently—
(i)
failing to provide a legal description of land on which the producer produces hemp;
(ii)
failing to obtain a license or other required authorization from the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable; or
(iii)
producing Cannabis sativa L. with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
(B)

Corrective action plan.—
A hemp producer described in subparagraph (A) shall comply with a plan established by the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, to correct the negligent violation, including—
(i)
a reasonable date by which the hemp producer shall correct the negligent violation; and
(ii)
a requirement that the hemp producer shall periodically report to the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, on the compliance of the hemp producer with the State or Tribal plan for a period of not less than the next 2 calendar years.
(C)

Result of negligent violation.—
A hemp producer that negligently violates a State or Tribal plan under subparagraph (A) shall not as a result of that violation be subject to any criminal enforcement action by the Federal Government or any State government, Tribal government, or local government.
(D)

Repeat violations.—
A hemp producer that negligently violates a State or Tribal plan under subparagraph (A) 3 times in a 5-year period shall be ineligible to produce hemp for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of the third violation.
(3)

Other violations.—
(A)

In general.—
If the State department of agriculture or Tribal government in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is approved under subsection (b), as applicable, determines that a hemp producer in the State or territory has violated the State or Tribal plan with a culpable mental state greater than negligence—
(i)
the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, shall immediately report the hemp producer to—
(I)
the Attorney General; and
(II)
the chief law enforcement officer of the State or Indian tribe, as applicable; and
(ii)
paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to the violation.
(B)

Felony.—
(i)

In general.—
Except as provided in clause (ii), any person convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance under State or Federal law before, on, or after the date of enactment of this subtitle shall be ineligible, during the 10-year period following the date of the conviction—
(I)
to participate in the program established under this section or section 297C; and
(II)
to produce hemp under any regulations or guidelines issued under section 297D(a).
(ii)

Exception.—
Clause (i) shall not apply to any person growing hemp lawfully with a license, registration, or authorization under a pilot program authorized by section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) before the date of enactment of this subtitle.
(C)

False statement.—
Any person who materially falsifies any information contained in an application to participate in the program established under this section shall be ineligible to participate in that program.
(f)

Effect.—
Nothing in this section prohibits the production of hemp in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe—
(1)
for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under this section, if the production of hemp is in accordance with section 297C or other Federal laws (including regulations); and
(2)
if the production of hemp is not otherwise prohibited by the State or Indian tribe.
SEC. 297C.
[7 U.S.C. 1639q]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
(a)

Department of Agriculture Plan.—
(1)

In general.—
In the case of a State or Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under section 297B, the production of hemp in that State or the territory of that Indian tribe shall be subject to a plan established by the Secretary to monitor and regulate that production in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2)

Content.—
A plan established by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)
a practice to maintain relevant information regarding land on which hemp is produced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe, including a legal description of the land, for a period of not less than 3 calendar years;
(B)
a procedure for testing, using post-decarboxylation or other similarly reliable methods, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of hemp produced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe;
(C)
a procedure for the effective disposal of—
(i)
plants, whether growing or not, that are produced in violation of this subtitle; and
(ii)
products derived from those plants;
(D)
a procedure to comply with the enforcement procedures under subsection (c)(2);
(E)
a procedure for conducting annual inspections of, at a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers to verify that hemp is not produced in violation of this subtitle; and
(F)
such other practices or procedures as the Secretary considers to be appropriate, to the extent that the practice or procedure is consistent with this subtitle.
(b)

Licensing.—
The Secretary shall establish a procedure to issue licenses to hemp producers in accordance with a plan established under subsection (a).
(c)

Violations.—
(1)

In general.—
In the case of a State or Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under section 297B, it shall be unlawful to produce hemp in that State or the territory of that Indian tribe without a license issued by the Secretary under subsection (b).
(2)

Negligent and other violations.—
A violation of a plan established under subsection (a) shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 297B(e), except that the Secretary shall carry out that enforcement instead of a State department of agriculture or Tribal government.
(3)

Reporting to attorney general.—
In the case of a State or Indian tribe covered by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall report the production of hemp without a license issued by the Secretary under subsection (b) to the Attorney General.
(d)

Information Sharing for Law Enforcement.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall—
(A)
collect the information described in paragraph (2); and
(B)
make the information collected under subparagraph (A) accessible in real time to Federal, State, territorial, and local law enforcement.
(2)

Content.—
The information collected by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)
contact information for each hemp producer in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe for which—
(i)
a State or Tribal plan is approved under section 297B(b); or
(ii)
a plan is established by the Secretary under this section;
(B)
a legal description of the land on which hemp is grown by each hemp producer described in subparagraph (A); and
(C)
for each hemp producer described in subparagraph (A)—
(i)
the status of—
(I)
a license or other required authorization from the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable; or
(II)
a license from the Secretary; and
(ii)
any changes to the status.
SEC. 297D.
[7 U.S.C. 1639r]

REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES; EFFECT ON OTHER LAW.
(a)

Promulgation of Regulations and Guidelines; Report.—
(1)

Regulations and guidelines.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations and guidelines to implement this subtitle as expeditiously as practicable.
(B)

Consultation with attorney general.—
The Secretary shall consult with the Attorney General on the promulgation of regulations and guidelines under subparagraph (A).
(2)

Report.—
The Secretary shall annually submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report containing updates on the implementation of this subtitle.
(b)

Authority.—
Subject to subsection (c)(3)(B), the Secretary shall have sole authority to promulgate Federal regulations and guidelines that relate to the production of hemp, including Federal regulations and guidelines that relate to the implementation of sections 297B and 297C.
(c)

Effect on Other Law.—
Nothing in this subtitle shall affect or modify—
(1)
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.);
(2)
section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262); or
(3)
the authority of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and the Secretary of Health and Human Services—
(A)
under—
(i)
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.); or
(ii)
section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262); or
(B)
to promulgate Federal regulations and guidelines that relate to the production of hemp under the Act described in subparagraph (A)(i) or the section described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
SEC. 297E.
[7 U.S.C. 1639s]

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subtitle.