Voluntary Checkoff Program Participation Act

To prohibit mandatory or compulsory checkoff programs. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Voluntary Checkoff Program Participation Act 2. Prohibition on mandatory or compulsory checkoff programs (a) Definition of checkoff program The term checkoff program (1) The Cotton Research and Promotion Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2101 et seq. (2) The Potato Research and Promotion Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2611 et seq. (3) The Egg Research and Consumer Information Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2701 et seq. (4) The Beef Research and Information Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2901 et seq. (5) The Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act ( 7 U.S.C. 3401 et seq. (6) The Floral Research and Consumer Information Act ( 7 U.S.C. 4301 et seq. (7) Subtitle B of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 ( 7 U.S.C. 4501 et seq. (8) The Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act ( 7 U.S.C. 4601 et seq. (9) The Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985 ( 7 U.S.C. 4801 et seq. (10) The Watermelon Research and Promotion Act ( 7 U.S.C. 4901 et seq. (11) The Pecan Promotion and Research Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 6001 et seq. (12) The Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 6101 et seq. (13) The Lime Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 6201 et seq. (14) The Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act ( 7 U.S.C. 6301 et seq. (15) The Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 6401 et seq. (16) The Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act of 1993 ( 7 U.S.C. 6801 et seq. (17) The Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994 ( 7 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. (18) Section 501 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 ( 7 U.S.C. 7401 (19) The Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 ( 7 U.S.C. 7411 et seq. (20) The Canola and Rapeseed Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act ( 7 U.S.C. 7441 et seq. (21) The National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act ( 7 U.S.C. 7461 et seq. (22) The Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act ( 7 U.S.C. 7481 et seq. (23) The Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 2000 ( 7 U.S.C. 7801 et seq. (24) The Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 ( 15 U.S.C. 6401 et seq. (25) The Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2018 ( 15 U.S.C. 8701 et seq. (26) The National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 ( 42 U.S.C. 6201 Public Law 106–469 (b) Prohibition No checkoff program shall be mandatory or compulsory. (c) Voluntary participation Producer participation in a checkoff program shall be voluntary at the point of sale.

Summary: Voluntary Checkoff Program Participation Act This bill prohibits mandatory or compulsory checkoff programs and requires producer participation in the programs to be voluntary at the point of sale. A checkoff program is a program to promote and provide research and information for a particular agricultural commodity without reference to specific producers or brands. The Department of Agriculture oversees the programs, which are requested and funded by industry.