Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3870
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2022-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Agriculture
Executive agency funding and structure
Food industry and services
Livestock
Meat

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-17
text: 

Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022

 
This bill establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters.
 
Specifically, the office must use all available tools (e.g., subpoenas) to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 by packers and live poultry dealers. Further, the bill grants the office the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized by that act against a packer.
 
Additionally, the office must
 
 
serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector,
 
consult with the Department of Homeland Security on national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector, and
 
maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise.
 

action_date: 2022-07-11
text: 

Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022

 
This bill establishes within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters.
 
Specifically, the office must use all available tools (e.g., subpoenas) to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 by packers and live poultry dealers. Further, the bill grants the office the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized by that act against a packer or live poultry dealer.
 
Additionally, the office must
 
 
serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector,
 
consult with the Department of Homeland Security on national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector, 
 
maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise, and
 
coordinate with the USDA Office of the General Counsel and the Packers and Stockyards Division of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-07-11
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 436.
action_date: 2022-07-11
text: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Stabenow with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-07-11
text: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Stabenow with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2022-04-26
text: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held.
action_date: 2022-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2022-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate