Butcher Block Act

To make improvements with respect to the pricing of cattle in the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Butcher Block Act 2. Assistance for new and expanded livestock or meat processors (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the Secretary (1) increasing capacity of livestock and poultry processing, facilitating economic opportunity for livestock and poultry producers through processing activities, and diversifying processing ownership; (2) increasing the customer base or revenue returns of livestock and poultry producers through investment in processing capacity; (3) improving, developing, or financing livestock and poultry processing capacity or employment including through the financing of working capital; or (4) promoting the interstate trade and local sales of processed livestock and poultry by financing improvements to meet relevant Federal, State, and local regulatory standards. (b) Eligibility; general limitations (1) Eligible recipient An entity shall be eligible for a loan or guarantee under this section if the entity is— (A) a public, private, or cooperative organization organized on a for-profit or nonprofit basis; (B) an Indian tribe on a Federal or State reservation, or any other federally recognized Indian tribal group; or (C) an individual. (2) Facility location (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a facility constructed, expanded, modified, refurbished, or re-equipped with proceeds from a loan made or guaranteed under this section shall be in a rural area. (B) Exception A facility constructed, expanded, modified, refurbished, or re-equipped with proceeds from a loan made or guaranteed under this section may be in a non-rural area if— (i) the primary use of the loan involved is for the facility, and the facility will increase the customer base or revenue returns of livestock and poultry producers that are located within 300 miles of the facility; (ii) the loan involved will be used to increase the capacity in livestock and poultry processing in a region; and (iii) the principal amount of the loan involved does not exceed $50,000,000. (C) Rural area defined In this paragraph, the term rural area 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13) (3) Limitations (A) Limitation on amount of loan involved A loan of more than $50,000,000 may not be made or guaranteed under this section. (B) Limitation on eligibility A loan may not be made or guaranteed under this section to an entity that is owned in partnership or in whole by— (i) a foreign entity; or (ii) an entity that currently processes over 5 percent of the daily harvest of any species. (c) Special rules applicable with respect to cooperatives (1) Limitation on amount of loan involved (A) In general Notwithstanding subsection (b)(3), a loan of not more than $100,000,000 may be made or guaranteed for a cooperative organization under this section. (B) Conditions applicable if loan involved is for more than $50,000,000 A loan of more than $50,000,000 may not be made or guaranteed for a cooperative organization under this section unless the loan is used to carry out a project that significantly increases the livestock and poultry processing in a region, where insufficient processing capacity exists, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Intangible assets (A) In general In determining whether a cooperative organization is eligible for a loan or guarantee under this section, the Secretary may consider the market value of a properly appraised brand name, patent, or trademark of the cooperative. (B) Accounts receivable In the sole discretion of the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that the action would not create or otherwise contribute to an unreasonable risk of default or loss to the Federal Government, the Secretary may take accounts receivable as security for the obligations entered into in connection with a loan made or guaranteed under this section, and a borrower may use accounts receivable as collateral to secure such a loan. (3) Purchase of cooperative stock (A) In general The Secretary may make or guarantee a loan in accordance with this section to an individual farmer or rancher for the purpose of purchasing capital stock of a farmer or rancher cooperative undertaking an eligible project under this section. (B) Processing contracts during initial period A cooperative described in subparagraph (A) with respect to which a farmer or rancher receives a guarantee to purchase stock under subparagraph (A) may contract for services to fulfill any eligible purpose under this section, during the 5-year period beginning on the date the cooperative commences operations, in order to provide adequate time for the planning and construction of the processing facility of the cooperative. (C) Financial information A farmer or rancher from whom the Secretary requires financial information as a condition of making or guaranteeing a loan under subparagraph (A) shall provide the information in the manner generally required by commercial agricultural lenders in the geographical area in which the farmer or rancher is located. (d) Conditions applicable with respect to using loan involved for refinancing A borrower may use 25 percent of a loan made or guaranteed under this section to refinance a loan made for a purpose described in subsection (a) if— (1) the borrower is current and performing with respect to the loan to be refinanced; (2) the borrower has not defaulted on any payment required to be made with respect to the loan to be refinanced; (3) none of the collateral for the loan to be refinanced has been converted; and (4) there is adequate security or full collateral for the loan to be refinanced. (e) Loan appraisal The Secretary may require that any appraisal made in connection with a loan made or guaranteed under this section be conducted by a specialized appraiser that uses standards that are similar to standards used for similar purposes in the private sector, as determined by the Secretary. (f) Preference In making or guaranteeing a loan under this section, the Secretary shall give a preference to applicants that have experience in livestock and poultry processing and can quickly scale-up to increase overall processing capacity in the region involved. (g) Limitations on authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026. 3. New and expanding livestock or meat processing grants (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture may make grants to— (1) expand, diversify, and increase capacity in livestock or poultry processing activities; (2) improve compliance with livestock and poultry processing statutes (including the regulations issued thereunder), such as the Federal Meat Inspection Act ( 21 U.S.C. 601 et seq. 21 U.S.C. 451 et seq. (3) identify and reduce barriers to entry for new livestock and poultry processers; or (4) update, expand, or otherwise improve existing facilities. (b) Eligible grantees An entity shall be eligible for a grant under this section if the entity is— (1) a governmental entity; (2) a public, private, or cooperative organization organized on a for-profit or nonprofit basis; or (3) an Indian tribe on a Federal or State reservation or any other federally recognized Indian tribal group. (c) Use of funds An entity to which a grant is made under this section may use the grant funds to establish or support new or expanded livestock or poultry processing activity, or other activity which will increase the customer base or revenue returns of livestock and poultry producers, by undertaking a project that— (1) identifies and analyzes business opportunities, including feasibility studies as required for creditworthiness; (2) identifies, trains, and provides technical assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers or processing facilities; (3) provides technical assistance to gain compliance with Federal, State, or local regulations; (4) conducts regional, community, and local economic development planning and coordination, and leadership development; or (5) establishes a center for training, technology, and trade that will provide training to livestock or poultry processing employees. (d) Preference In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give a preference to applicants that have experience in livestock and poultry processing and can quickly scale-up to increase overall processing capacity in the region involved. (e) Limitations on authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026.

Summary: Butcher Block Act This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make (or guarantee) loans and award grants for establishing, expanding, and otherwise supporting livestock and poultry processing and related activities. In awarding grants and making or guaranteeing loans, USDA shall prioritize applicants that have experience in livestock and poultry processing and can quickly scale-up to increase overall processing capacity in the region involved.