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PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act

USA119th CongressS-3994| Senate 
| Updated: 3/4/2026
Markwayne Mullin

Markwayne Mullin

Republican Senator

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (1)
Tina Smith (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to empower Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to conduct their own meat inspections. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into self-determination contracts with these entities, allowing Tribal personnel to perform inspections at tribally-owned meat processing facilities. These contracts facilitate the hiring and training of Tribal inspectors, enabling greater self-governance in food safety. Inspections conducted under these contracts must meet federal standards, ensuring food safety and quality comparable to those for other federally inspected facilities. Tribal personnel are granted enforcement authority, including the ability to halt processing for uncorrected violations. Meat products inspected by Tribal personnel will bear a Federal inspection label and are authorized for sale in interstate commerce , though not foreign commerce. To support these efforts, the bill deems Tribal personnel as federal employees for purposes of the Federal Tort Claims Act and requires Tribes to maintain appropriate insurance, with a waiver of sovereign immunity to the extent of coverage. The Secretary is mandated to provide technical assistance and maintain oversight authority, including recall and audit powers. Additionally, Tribes operating under these contracts become eligible for USDA rural development loans and grants, fostering economic growth in Indian Country.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1780
PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act
Mar 4, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 4, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1780
    PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act


  • March 4, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 4, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act

USA119th CongressS-3994| Senate 
| Updated: 3/4/2026
The PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to empower Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to conduct their own meat inspections. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into self-determination contracts with these entities, allowing Tribal personnel to perform inspections at tribally-owned meat processing facilities. These contracts facilitate the hiring and training of Tribal inspectors, enabling greater self-governance in food safety. Inspections conducted under these contracts must meet federal standards, ensuring food safety and quality comparable to those for other federally inspected facilities. Tribal personnel are granted enforcement authority, including the ability to halt processing for uncorrected violations. Meat products inspected by Tribal personnel will bear a Federal inspection label and are authorized for sale in interstate commerce , though not foreign commerce. To support these efforts, the bill deems Tribal personnel as federal employees for purposes of the Federal Tort Claims Act and requires Tribes to maintain appropriate insurance, with a waiver of sovereign immunity to the extent of coverage. The Secretary is mandated to provide technical assistance and maintain oversight authority, including recall and audit powers. Additionally, Tribes operating under these contracts become eligible for USDA rural development loans and grants, fostering economic growth in Indian Country.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1780
PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act
Mar 4, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 4, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1780
    PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act


  • March 4, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 4, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Markwayne Mullin

Markwayne Mullin

Republican Senator

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (1)
Tina Smith (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted