H.R. 1380 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, Feb 14, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryCreates special investigator for meat industry practices
This bill creates a new Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The office would investigate and take legal action against violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, which is a decades-old law designed to ensure fair competition in the livestock, meat, and poultry industries. The office would also work with the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission on competition issues, and coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security on food industry security.
How it affects you
Farmers and ranchers who sell livestock may see stronger enforcement against unfair or deceptive practices by large meat and poultry companies. Consumers could benefit from more oversight aimed at keeping the meat industry competitive and preventing monopolistic practices. The changes mainly affect people directly involved in livestock farming and the meat industry supply chain.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 14, 2025)
Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act
This bill establishes the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the Agricultural Marketing Service's Packers and Stockyards Division.
Specifically, the office must use all available tools (e.g., subpoenas) to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (P&S Act). Further, the bill grants the office the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized by that act.
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.
As background, the purposes of the P&S Act are to assure fair competition and trade practices, safeguard farmers and ranchers, protect consumers, and protect livestock, meat, and poultry industry members from unfair, deceptive, unjustly discriminatory, and monopolistic practices. Those engaged in the business of marketing livestock, meat, and poultry in commerce are subject to the P&S Act.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1380
A BILL
Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act
Sponsor: Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) · Introduced Feb 14, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 20, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.”