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Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2023

USA118th CongressS-272| Senate 
| Updated: 2/2/2023
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (2)
Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2023 This bill establishes additional requirements for larger animal feeding operations (AFOs) owned or controlled by industrial operators and increases handling requirements for livestock and poultry. Specifically, the bill establishes the Office of High-Risk AFO Disaster Mitigation and Enforcement within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and requires such industrial operators to register with the office and submit annual disaster mitigation plans (e.g., for public health emergencies and major disasters). In addition, industrial operators must pay annual disaster mitigation maintenance fees to the office and are liable for costs associated with disaster events or depopulation (the rapid destruction of animals in response to urgent circumstances). Industrial operators are restricted from using specified methods of depopulation; any person may sue an industrial operator or USDA over a violation. Further, USDA must establish depopulation standards that rapidly induce unconsciousness and death with minimal pain and distress. The Department of Labor must enforce minimum labor standards for industrial operators regarding covered workers or affected contract growers in disaster mitigation events, including whistleblower protections and health insurance requirements. Further, industrial operators may not use incarcerated workers in these events. The bill also includes provisions on the handling of livestock and poultry, such as requiring USDA to set additional standards for animal transport; including poultry in the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 and creating a USDA grant program to transition processing facilities to a different slaughter method; requiring USDA to promulgate certain regulations regarding the humane treatment, euthanasia, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock; and terminating programs that allow for slaughter speeds that exceed existing limits or reduce the use of federal inspectors.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5138
Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2022
Feb 2, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Feb 2, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mar 6, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-805
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5138
    Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2022


  • February 2, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 2, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • March 6, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-805
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • HR 118-805: Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2023

Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2023

USA118th CongressS-272| Senate 
| Updated: 2/2/2023
Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2023 This bill establishes additional requirements for larger animal feeding operations (AFOs) owned or controlled by industrial operators and increases handling requirements for livestock and poultry. Specifically, the bill establishes the Office of High-Risk AFO Disaster Mitigation and Enforcement within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and requires such industrial operators to register with the office and submit annual disaster mitigation plans (e.g., for public health emergencies and major disasters). In addition, industrial operators must pay annual disaster mitigation maintenance fees to the office and are liable for costs associated with disaster events or depopulation (the rapid destruction of animals in response to urgent circumstances). Industrial operators are restricted from using specified methods of depopulation; any person may sue an industrial operator or USDA over a violation. Further, USDA must establish depopulation standards that rapidly induce unconsciousness and death with minimal pain and distress. The Department of Labor must enforce minimum labor standards for industrial operators regarding covered workers or affected contract growers in disaster mitigation events, including whistleblower protections and health insurance requirements. Further, industrial operators may not use incarcerated workers in these events. The bill also includes provisions on the handling of livestock and poultry, such as requiring USDA to set additional standards for animal transport; including poultry in the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 and creating a USDA grant program to transition processing facilities to a different slaughter method; requiring USDA to promulgate certain regulations regarding the humane treatment, euthanasia, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock; and terminating programs that allow for slaughter speeds that exceed existing limits or reduce the use of federal inspectors.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5138
Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2022
Feb 2, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Feb 2, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mar 6, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-805
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5138
    Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2022


  • February 2, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 2, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • March 6, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-805
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (2)
Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • HR 118-805: Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2023
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted