II
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2036
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 10, 2021
Mr. Tester (for himself, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Rounds) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
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 Packing Special Investigator Act
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Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters
The Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, is amended by inserting after section 210 (7 U.S.C. 197c) the following:
Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters
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).
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.
Duties
The Special Investigator shall—
use all available tools, including subpoenas, to investigate and prosecute violations of this Act by packers;
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;
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
maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise.
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 against a packer.
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