HLS 25RS-1119 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 21
BY REPRESENTATIVE OWEN
CONGRESS: Memorializes the United States Congress to review and enact the Processing
Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to pass the
3 Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act (PRIME Act) during the
4 119th Congress, emphasizing the critical importance of local control over meat
5 processing and the growth of Louisiana's meat production industry to enhance
6 economic resilience, support small farmers, and meet the needs of Louisiana citizens.
7 WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the vital role that agriculture
8plays in the economic and cultural fabric of our state, with livestock and meat production
9serving as a cornerstone of rural communities; and
10 WHEREAS, Representative Thomas Massie sponsored the PRIME Act during the
11118th Congress, working alongside a bipartisan group of lawmakers to support small
12farmers, expand local food access, and challenge federal restrictions on meat processing; and
13 WHEREAS, the federal regulatory framework under the Federal Meat Inspection Act
14(21 U.S.C. 623) imposes burdensome requirements on small-scale slaughter facilities,
15limiting their ability to process meat for intrastate commerce and stifling local industry
16growth; and
17 WHEREAS, the PRIME Act would amend federal law to expand exemptions from
18mandatory federal inspections for custom slaughter facilities, empowering Louisiana's
19producers to process and sell meat directly to consumers, restaurants, and retailers in this
20state under its own robust regulatory oversight; and
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HCR NO. 21
1 WHEREAS, local control over meat processing would enable Louisiana to tailor
2standards to the unique needs of our producers and consumers, fostering innovation,
3ensuring food safety, and preserving the integrity of our agricultural heritage; and
4 WHEREAS, the growth of Louisiana's own meat production industry would bolster
5economic development by creating jobs, reducing reliance on out-of-state supply chains, and
6strengthening food security for the citizens of Louisiana, as demonstrated during disruptions
7like the COVID-19 pandemic when centralized processing shortages left local demand
8unmet; and
9 WHEREAS, small farmers and ranchers in Louisiana, who form the backbone of
10Louisiana's agricultural economy, face unnecessary barriers to market entry due to federal
11overreach, and the PRIME Act would empower these producers to thrive by keeping
12economic benefits within Louisiana communities; and
13 WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana affirms that states possess the inherent
14authority and capability to regulate intrastate commerce effectively, and the PRIME Act
15aligns with principles of federalism by restoring decision-making power to state
16governments and local stakeholders; and
17 WHEREAS, passing the PRIME Act would not preempt Louisiana's ability to
18enforce stringent safety and quality standards, ensuring that Louisiana citizens continue to
19enjoy safe, high-quality meat products while supporting homegrown industry expansion; and
20 WHEREAS, the bipartisan support for the PRIME Act in previous congressional
21sessions, championed by leaders such as Representative Thomas Massie and Senator Rand
22Paul, reflects a broad recognition of its potential to revitalize local economies across the
23nation, including Louisiana.
24 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
25memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to review and
26pass the PRIME Act during the 119th Congress.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
28emphasize the necessity of local control and the growth of Louisiana's meat production
29industry as central to the PRIME Act's merits, urging the United States Congress to act
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HCR NO. 21
1swiftly to empower Louisiana's producers, enhance economic opportunity, and secure a
2resilient food system for Louisiana residents.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
4presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States
5Congress, to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation, and to the Honorable
6United States Representative Thomas Massie, sponsor of the PRIME Act during the 119th
7Congress, to ensure that our state's voice is heard in this critical matter.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 21 Original 2025 Regular Session Owen
Memorializes the U.S. Congress to review and pass the PRIME Act during the 119th
Congress, emphasizing local control and the growth of the meat production industry in La.,
and to enhance economic resilience, support farmers, and meet the needs of La. citizens.
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