HB0051

Official summary

Bill Summary - 21LSO-0106 Bill No.: HB0051 Effective: Immediately LSO No.: 21LSO-0106 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0082 Chapter No.: 155 Prime Sponsor: Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Interim Committee Catch Title: Meat processing programs. Subject: Wyoming meat processing expansion grant program. Summary/Major Elements: This act creates the Wyoming meat processing expansion grant program, which provides for cost sharing to eligible businesses to address COVID-19 related problems by: Planning, constructing, expanding and maintaining meat processing facilities; Upgrading technology in meat processing facilities; Providing workforce training; and Converting facilities from custom or state inspected to state or federally inspected facilities. The following apply to the cost sharing program: A business must submit an application, with information as requested by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (Department); No award shall exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per business; Awards shall be made only with funds from the federal CARES Act or subsequent similar federal enactment for a similar purpose; Awards shall be made on a first-come first-served basis; Any award shall require a fifty percent (50%) contribution from the business; Any funds received under the program shall be spent only on facilities or improvements physically located within the state of Wyoming. The act creates a definition and requirements for an "eligible business" including: An independently owned and operated business; Headquartered in Wyoming, or has its principal operations in Wyoming; Has or can acquire the means, knowledge and capability to plan, construct and maintain a new meat processing facility or upgrade equipment within an existing meat processing facility; Is in good standing with the Secretary of State and is a new or existing business. The act requires the Department to promulgate necessary rules to administer the program. The act requires the attorney general to review the legality of the program and rules of the program. The act requires that all expenditures of funds pursuant to the bill be in accordance with state and federal law and regulations. The act authorizes the Department to use program funding to conduct or contract for appropriate audits to ensure compliance with the program and state and federal law. The act appropriates an amount to be determined by the legislature from any federal CARES Act funds to be used for cost sharing for meat processing by agriculture businesses. The act provides several requirements for the appropriation, including that it shall be used only for the indicated purposes and that funds shall revert as provided by law. The program created by the act terminates on December 30, 2022. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.