PRINTER'S NO. 1915
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1520
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY SNYDER, CAUSER, PASHINSKI, BERNSTINE, A. DAVIS,
T. DAVIS, DeLISSIO, FEE, FREEMAN, GREINER, HANBIDGE, HERSHEY,
HICKERNELL, M. K. KELLER, KINSEY, LONGIETTI, MALAGARI,
MILLARD, OWLETT, RYAN, SAPPEY, SAYLOR, STRUZZI, WEBSTER,
ZIMMERMAN AND IRVIN, MAY 29, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
MAY 29, 2019
AN ACT
Amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, providing for grant programs.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
is amended by adding a part to read:
PART IX
GRANT PROGRAMS
Chapter
101. Very Small Meat Processor Federal Inspection
Reimbursement Grant Program
103. (Reserved)
CHAPTER 101
VERY SMALL MEAT PROCESSOR FEDERAL INSPECTION
REIMBURSEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
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10101. Short title of chapter.
10102. Legislative intent.
10103. Definitions.
10104. Grant program.
10105. Eligible costs.
10106. Final reimbursement.
§ 10101. Short title of chapter.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Very
Small Meat Processor Federal Inspection Reimbursement Grant
Program.
§ 10102. Legislative intent.
It is the intent of the General Assembly that very small meat
processors be offered reimbursement grants to cover the costs
associated with meeting Federal inspection and certification
guidelines during the planning and start-up periods for these
operations.
§ 10103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Person." An individual, partnership, association, firm,
corporation or any other legal entity.
"Very small meat processor." A person subject to Federal
meat inspection that meets the United States Department of
Agriculture's definition of a "very small processor," having
fewer than 10 employees or annual sales of less than $2,500,000.
§ 10104. Grant program.
(a) Availability.--Grants under this chapter shall only be
offered in a fiscal year in which and to the extent that funding
is made available to the department. The following shall apply:
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(1) In the event funding is exhausted or otherwise
unavailable, the department shall be under no obligation to
provide grants under this chapter.
(2) Grant money may be prorated or offered as a
percentage of actual costs, as determined by the department
and set forth in an order by the secretary, to spread
available money to a larger number of eligible applicants.
The secretary shall transmit notice of an order issued under
this chapter to the Legislative Reference Bureau for
publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(b) Reimbursement grants.--A grant under this chapter shall
be a reimbursement grant. The following shall apply:
(1) The amount of reimbursement shall be based on actual
eligible costs submitted by an approved applicant during a
fiscal year in which grants are offered.
(2) Grant reimbursement money shall only be available
for the eligible costs of obtaining a Federal certification
to allow the sale of meat by a very small meat processor.
(c) Eligibility.--A very small meat processor may apply to
receive reimbursement for the cost of meeting Federal inspection
guidelines during the planning and start-up periods for the
operations. The applicant must be in compliance with all
applicable Federal licensure, recordkeeping and slaughter
requirements.
(d) Application procedure.--An applicant who desires to
receive a very small meat processor Federal inspection
reimbursement grant shall submit a grant application on a form
provided by the department. The application shall contain the
following information demonstrating and attesting to:
(1) The applicant's name, the organization name, a
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business address and a telephone number.
(2) A list of corporate officers.
(3) The applicant's eligibility, setting forth
information evidencing and attesting that the applicant meets
the definition of a "very small meat processor."
(4) A plan outlining the process being undertaken to
apply for and obtain Federal certification as a meat
processor.
(5) The estimated costs for which reimbursement is
sought.
(6) An attestation signed by the applicant stating the
applicant is in good standing with all Federal licensure,
recordkeeping and slaughter requirements, including the
Federal Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
standards.
§ 10105. Eligible costs.
The following costs shall be eligible for reimbursement:
(1) Invoiced costs directly incurred for the initial
compliance inspection.
(2) A one-time reimbursement for the cost, not including
man hours, directly incurred in producing the required
Federal Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan. If
a professional consultant is utilized to develop the Federal
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan, reasonable
costs may be reimbursed, as determined by the department.
(3) Up to 50% of the actual costs of a first-time
purchase of equipment necessary for compliance with the
Federal Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan.
§ 10106. Final reimbursement.
(a) Required submission.--Reimbursement shall be based on
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the approved applicant's submission of the final costs of
obtaining the required Federal certification for which grant
money was sought. The submission shall include:
(1) The date of the inspection.
(2) The name of the Federal inspector or veterinarian in
charge of the inspection.
(3) A document signed by the Federal inspector or
veterinarian in charge evidencing that the approved
applicant's establishment passed the inspection.
(4) Documentation of actual costs for which
reimbursement is sought and payment of the costs.
(b) Distribution of final reimbursement.--Distribution of
grant money to the approved applicant will occur upon the
following:
(1) Submission and receipt of the information required
under subsection (a).
(2) Final review and approval for completeness of the
required submission and the eligible costs.
(3) A completed grant agreement between the department
and an approved applicant.
(c) Assignment of grant money.--Grant money may only be
distributed to the owner of the eligible establishment. The
department may not assign grant money to a lessee, operator or
person other than the owner of the eligible very small meat
processing establishment.
CHAPTER 103
( Reserved )
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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