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H.R. 5246House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Expanding Markets for State-Inspected Meat Processors Act of 2021

Sponsored by Liz CheneyRep. Liz Cheney (R-WY)
Introduced September 14, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 6:39 AM UTC

The Expanding Markets for State‑Inspected Meat Processors Act amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to let meat that has been inspected under a state program be sold across state lines. It gives the USDA Secretary authority to approve interstate shipments, stops states from blocking those shipments, and requires new labeling and reporting rules. The changes affect state‑ inspected meat processors, state inspection agencies, and consumers nationwide.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary may allow interstate shipment of carcasses, meat and meat products inspected under a state program, subject to conditions.
  • States and local governments cannot prohibit or restrict the movement or sale of such meat once it meets federal standards.
  • Establishments authorized to ship must display a state‑assigned official number identifying the plant and state on product labels.
  • Each state must submit and keep updated a list of authorized establishments and their official numbers with the Secretary.
  • The law adds reporting and cooperation requirements for states and clarifies enforcement and termination of designations.

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

October 5, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 14, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Agriculture Committee

September 14, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.

Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee

October 5, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 14, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5246

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 14, 2021

Ms. Cheney (for herself and Mrs. Miller of West Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to allow the interstate sale of State-inspected meat, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Expanding Markets for State-Inspected Meat Processors Act of 2021.

2.

State-inspected meat

Section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 661) is amended—

(1)

by striking the section designation and inserting the following:

301.

Sale of inspected meat and meat food products

;

(2)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

by striking In furtherance of this policy in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and all that follows through (1) The Secretary in paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(B)

State programs

(i)

In general

The Secretary

;

(B)

by striking (a) It is and inserting the following:

(a)

State meat inspection program

(1)

In general

(A)

Policy

It is

; and

(C)

in paragraph (1)(B) (as so designated)—

(i)

in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking solely for distribution within such State and inserting for distribution; and

(ii)

by adding at the end the following:

(ii)

Interstate commerce

(I)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary may allow, subject to subclause (III), the shipment in interstate commerce of carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, and meat food products inspected under the State meat inspection program described in clause (i).

(II)

Acceptance of interstate shipments of meat and meat food products

Notwithstanding any provision of State law, a State or local government shall not prohibit or restrict the movement or sale of meat or meat food products that have been inspected and passed in accordance with this Act for interstate commerce.

(III)

State-assigned official number

(aa)

In general

Any establishment designated by a State to ship meat and meat food products pursuant to subclause (I) shall include in the labeling of such products the State-assigned official number that identifies the establishment and the State.

(bb)

Updated list

Each State with a State meat inspection program described in clause (i) shall submit, and update as necessary, to the Secretary a list of each such establishment and the corresponding State-assigned official number for such establishment.

;

(3)

in subsection (b), by striking (b) The appropriate and inserting the following:

(b)

Cooperation of State agency

The appropriate

;

(4)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

by striking (c)(1) If the Secretary and inserting the following:

(c)

Enforcement of Federal requirements

(1)

Designation of States

(A)

In general

If the Secretary

;

(B)

in paragraph (1) (as so designated)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A) (as so designated)—

(I)

in the first sentence, by striking solely for distribution within such State and inserting for distribution; and

(II)

in the second sentence, by striking If the Secretary and inserting the following:

(B)

Designation of States

(i)

In general

Except as provided under clause (ii), if the Secretary

;

(ii)

in subparagraph (B) (as so designated)—

(I)

in clause (i) (as so designated)—

(aa)

in the first sentence, by striking wholly; and

(bb)

by striking State; Provided, That if and inserting the following:

State.

(ii)

Exception

If

; and

(II)

in clause (ii) (as so designated)—

(aa)

in the first sentence—

(AA)

by striking such designation and inserting a designation made under clause (i); and

(BB)

by striking he each place it appears and inserting the Secretary; and

(bb)

in the second sentence, by striking The Secretary shall and inserting the following:

(C)

Publication of designation

The Secretary shall

;

(iii)

in subparagraph (C) (as so designated)—

(I)

in the first sentence—

(aa)

by striking if such; and

(bb)

by striking were after transactions; and

(II)

in the second sentence, by striking Thereafter, upon request and inserting the following:

(D)

Revocation of designation

On request

;

(iv)

in subparagraph (D) (as so designated)—

(I)

in the first sentence, by striking such designation and inserting a designation made under subparagraph (B)(i); and

(II)

by striking title IV of this Act: And provided further, That, notwithstanding; and inserting the following:

title IV.

(E)

Adulterated meat or meat food product

(i)

In general

Notwithstanding

; and

(v)

in subparagraph (E) (as so designated)—

(I)

in clause (i) (as so designated)—

(aa)

in the first sentence—

(AA)

by striking within such State; and

(BB)

by striking section 301 of the Act and inserting this section; and

(bb)

in the second sentence, by striking If the State and inserting the following:

(ii)

Enforcement

If the State

; and

(II)

in clause (ii) (as so designated), by striking as though engaged in commerce;

(C)

in paragraph (2), by striking (2) The provisions and inserting the following:

(2)

Exceptions to inspection

The provisions

;

(D)

in paragraph (3)—

(i)

by striking (3) Whenever and inserting the following:

(3)

Termination of designation

If

; and

(ii)

by striking he and inserting the Secretary; and

(E)

in paragraph (4), by striking (4) The Secretary and inserting the following:

(4)

Report

The Secretary

; and

(5)

in subsection (d), by striking (d) As used in and inserting the following:

(d)

Definition of State

In

.