Livestock and meat marketing study

(a) In general The Secretary, acting through the Office of the Chief Economist, shall offer to enter into a contract with an independent, nonpartisan research institute, a land-grant college or university (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)), or a non-land-grant college of agriculture (as defined in that section) with expertise in economic analyses of the livestock and meat industry to carry out a study that— (1) is similar in scope to the study funded under the heading salaries and expenses under the heading Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration under the heading Agricultural programs under title I of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (Public Law 108–7; 117 Stat. 22); and (2) analyzes production trends and marketing practices used in the livestock and meat industries, including the extent to which different marketing practices are used and the possible effects of the use of those marketing practices on industry participants, including consumers. (b) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and make publicly available on the website of the Department, a report containing the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a). (c) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000, to remain available until expended.