H.R. 7606 — Reported in House

IB Union Calendar No. 270 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7606 [Report No. 117–357] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 27, 2022Ms. Spanberger (for herself and Mrs. Miller-Meeks) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture June 7, 2022Additional sponsors: Ms. Porter and Mrs. Axne June 7, 2022Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 27, 2022 A BILL To establish the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the Department of Agriculture. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022. 2. Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters (a) In general The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 is amended by inserting after section 216 (7 U.S.C. 6916) the following: 217. Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters (a) Establishment There is established in the Department an office, to be known as the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters (referred to in this section as the Office). (b) 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 a senior career employee appointed by the Secretary. (c) Duties The Special Investigator shall— (1) use all available tools, including subpoenas, to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), by packers and live poultry dealers with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agriculture sector; (2) serve as a Department 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; (3) act in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security with respect to national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector; (4) maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise; and (5) in carrying out the requirements of this subsection, coordinate with the Office of the General Counsel and the Packers and Stockyards Division of the Agricultural Marketing Service. (d) Prosecutorial authority (1) In general Notwithstanding title 28, United States Code, the Special Investigator shall have the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized under the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), against a packer. (2) Effect Nothing in this section alters the authority of the Secretary to issue a subpoena pursuant to the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.). (3) Notification With respect to any of the actions brought under this subsection in Federal district court, the Special Investigator shall notify the Attorney General. . (b) Conforming amendment Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (11) The authority of the Secretary to carry out section 217. . (c) Technical amendment Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 is amended by redesignating the first section 225 (relating to Food Access Liaison) (7 U.S.C. 6925) as section 224A. June 7, 2022Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed