H.R. 4103House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 4:46 AM UTC

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act amends the Packers and Stockyards Act to create a new Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the USDA’s Packers and Stockyards Division. The office is led by a Special Investigator appointed by the Secretary and is tasked with enforcing competition rules in the meat and poultry sectors. It affects meat and poultry producers, packers, and related agricultural businesses by adding a dedicated enforcement authority.

Key Provisions

Establishes the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the USDA’s Packers and Stockyards Division.
Designates a Special Investigator, appointed by the Secretary, to head the office.
Gives the Special Investigator authority to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, including using subpoenas and bringing civil or administrative actions.
Requires the Special Investigator to coordinate with the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Homeland Security on competition, trade, and national‑security issues in the food and agricultural sector.
Mandates the office to maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with relevant expertise.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.

Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee

July 28, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 23, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Agriculture Committee

June 23, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.

Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee

July 28, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 23, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4103

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 23, 2021

Ms. Spanberger (for herself and Mrs. Miller-Meeks) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To amend the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, to establish the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act.

Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters

The Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, is amended by inserting after section 415 (7 U.S.C. 228d) the following:

416.

Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters

(a)

Establishment

There is established within the Packers and Stockyards Division of the Department of Agriculture an office, to be known as the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters (referred to in this section as the Office).

(b)

Special investigator for competition matters

The Office shall be headed by the Special Investigator for Competition Matters (referred to in this section as the Special Investigator), who shall be appointed by the Secretary.

(c)

Duties

The Special Investigator shall—

(1)

use all available tools, including subpoenas, to investigate and prosecute violations of this Act;

(2)

serve as a Department of Agriculture liaison to, and act in consultation with, the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector;

(3)

act in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security with respect to national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector; and

(4)

maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise.

(d)

Prosecutorial authority

Notwithstanding title 28, United States Code, the Special Investigator shall have the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized under this Act.