An Act To Ensure Accuracy in the Labeling of Maine Meat and Poultry
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0351
Committee Amendment CA_B_H424 (House)
Amends: 22 MRSA §2157

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,g " to H.P. 277, L.D. 351, Bill, "An Act To 
Ensure Accuracy in the Labeling of Maine Meat and Poultry" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §2157, sub-§15 is enacted to read: 
15. Mislabeling poultry and meat. If it is poultry, a poultry product, meat or a 
meat product offered for sale, sold or distributed within the State and labeled or 
advertised as "Maine-raised" or by a similar designation unless the poultry or animal was 
raised in Maine. A determination that poultry, a poultry product, meat or a meat product 
is misbranded may be waived by the commissioner upon application if the commissioner 
finds a waiver warranted due to economic factors, including, but not limited to, the 
proximity of processing facilities to the in-state poultry producer or meat producer and 
the availability of poultry processing facilities or meat processing facilities in the State. 
For purposes ofthis subsection, "raised in Maine" means: 
A. For poultry and poultry products, that the poultry was raised solely in the State 
from no later than the 7th day after hatching and processed solely in the State; and 
B. For meat and meat products, that: 
(1) The cattle were raised in the State for at least 150 days or the swine were 
raised in the State for at least 100 days; and 
(2) The animal was processed solely in the State. 
As used in this subsection, "poultry," "poultry product," "meat" and "meat product" have 
the same meanings as in section 2511.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .. (J" to H.P. 277, L.D. 351 
SUMMARY 
This amendment, which is the minority report, replaces the bill. It provides that 
poultry, poultry products, meat and meat products labeled or advertised as Maine-raised 
or by a similar designation are considered misbranded if offered for sale, sold or 
distributed within the State unless the poultry or animals were raised in Maine. 
The 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may grant a waiver of the 
determination that such poultry, poultry products, meat and meat products are misbranded 
upon consideration of economic factors, including, but not limited to, the proximity of 
processing facilities to the in-state poultry producer or meat producer and the availability 
of poultry processing facilities or meat processing facilities in the State. 
The amendment provides that "raised in Maine" includes: 
1. Poultry raised solely in the State from no later than the 7th day after hatching and 
processed solely in the State; 
2. Cattle raised for at least 150 days in the State and processed solely in the State; 
and 
3. Swine raised for at least 100 days in the State and processed solely in the State. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/25/19 ;!Wac 
LD351 
LR 774(03) 
An Act To Ensure Accuracy in the Labeling of Maine Meat and Poultry 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,IJ( If- $1.l. v) 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to the Depattment of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry as a result of clarifications to the 
rules regarding the definition of "Maine-raised" for poultry and meat products ai·e anticipated to be minor and can be 
absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0774(03) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1