Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would boost support for small and very small meat and poultry processors by creating tailored HACCP guidance, new grants, and career training to expand local processing capacity and market access. It also raises the federal share for state inspection and widens cooperative interstate shipment rules to help more small plants sell across state lines.
Show full summary
- Small and very small establishments get targeted HACCP help. The bill requires a searchable database of peer‑reviewed validation studies within 18 months and online model HACCP plans plus guidance on plan approval within 2 years, with protections for confidential business information.
- State inspection programs and selected establishments gain more federal funding and access. The federal cost share for state inspection activities rises to 65% and cooperative interstate shipment rules are expanded so more small plants can participate.
- New grant and training programs aim to build regional capacity and workforce pipelines. A Processing Resilience Grant Program offers competitive awards (up to $500,000 and a simplified small‑grant track) and a separate grant program funds processor career training and apprenticeships.
*Authorizes about $20.0 million and $10.0 million per year for FY2025–2030 respectively, totaling roughly $180.0 million in federal authorizations.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Processing resilience grants for small processors
If enacted, the bill would create a Processing Resilience Grant Program to help small and very small meat and poultry processors. Grants could be up to $500,000 and last up to 3 years. Grants $100,000 or less would use a simplified application. Federal shares would be up to 90% for grants $100,000 or less and 75% for larger grants. No non-Federal match would be required for grants awarded in fiscal years 2025 and 2026. The program would be funded at $20 million per year for FY2025–FY2030.
Career training and apprenticeships for processors
If enacted, the bill would fund competitive grants to colleges, technical schools, nonprofits, and worker centers to create or expand meat and poultry processing career training and structured apprenticeships. Grants would support on-the-job training, competency assessment, and individualized apprentice plans. Grants $100,000 or less would use a simplified application and reporting process. The program would be authorized at $10 million per year for FY2025–FY2030.
Higher federal share for state inspections
If enacted, the bill would increase the maximum Federal share of State meat and poultry inspection expenses from 50% to 65%. The change would take effect upon enactment and would reduce State inspection cost burdens, potentially supporting inspection capacity for local processors.
Expanded interstate shipment rules for small processors
If enacted, the bill would raise employee-count eligibility tests in cooperative interstate shipment rules from 25 to 50 employees and shift numeric bands accordingly. It would raise the participation/share threshold from 60% to 80%. From FY2025–FY2030, USDA would be required to do outreach each year to at least 25% of States that have State inspection programs but no selected establishment and to report results to congressional committees.
Free HACCP database and model plans
If enacted, the bill would require USDA to build a free, searchable database of approved validation studies within 18 months. USDA would also publish online model HACCP plans for three small establishment types in 18 months. Within 2 years, USDA would publish guidance on how smaller and very small establishments can get HACCP plan approval. USDA may not publish confidential business information, including HACCP plans.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
SD • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 4/29/2025
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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