Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression Act

To prevent States and local jurisdictions from interfering with the production and distribution of agricultural products in interstate commerce, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression Act 2. Prohibition against interference by State and local governments with production or manufacture of items in other States (a) Definition of agricultural products In this section, the term agricultural products 7 U.S.C. 1626 (b) Prohibition Consistent with the Commerce Clause of section 8 of article I of the Constitution of the United States, the government of a State or a unit of local government within a State shall not impose a standard or condition on the production or manufacture of any agricultural products sold or offered for sale in interstate commerce if— (1) the production or manufacture occurs in another State; and (2) the standard or condition is in addition to the standards and conditions applicable to the production or manufacture pursuant to— (A) Federal law; and (B) the laws of the State and unit of local government in which the production or manufacture occurs. 3. Federal cause of action to challenge State regulation of interstate commerce (a) Definition of agricultural products In this section, the term agricultural products 7 U.S.C. 1626 (b) Private right of action A person, including a producer, a transporter, a distributer, a consumer, a laborer, a trade association, the Federal Government, a State government, or a unit of local government, that is affected by a regulation of a State or unit of local government that regulates any aspect of 1 or more agricultural products that are sold in interstate commerce, including any aspect of the method of production, or any means or instrumentality through which 1 or more agricultural products are sold in interstate commerce may bring an action in the appropriate court to invalidate that regulation and seek damages for economic loss resulting from that regulation. (c) Preliminary injunction On a motion of the plaintiff in an action brought under subsection (b), the court shall issue a preliminary injunction to preclude the applicable State or unit of local government from enforcing the regulation at issue until such time as the court enters a final judgment in the case, unless the State or unit of local government proves by clear and convincing evidence that— (1) the State or unit of local government is likely to prevail on the merits at trial; and (2) the injunction would cause irreparable harm to the State or unit of local government. (d) Statute of limitations No action shall be maintained under this section unless the action is commenced not later than 10 years after the cause of action arose. (e) Jurisdiction A person described in subsection (b) may bring an action under that subsection in— (1) the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the person— (A) is affected by a regulation described in that subsection; or (B) resides, operates, or does business; or (2) any other appropriate court otherwise having jurisdiction.

Summary: Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression Act This bill restricts state and local governments from imposing certain standards or conditions on the production or manufacture of agricultural products sold or offered for sale in interstate commerce. Specifically, it prohibits the imposition of such standards or conditions if (1) the production or manufacture occurs in another state, and (2) the standard or condition adds to requirements applicable under federal law and the laws of the state or locality where the product is produced or manufactured. The bill also allows for a private right of action to challenge state or local regulations relating to agricultural goods sold in interstate commerce. A person may bring an action in (1) the U.S. district court for the judicial district in which the person is affected by a regulation or the person resides, operates, or does business; or (2) any other appropriate court with jurisdiction.