Bill > HB2497

This bill establishes a Meat Production Justice Grant Program administered by the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority to provide financial incentives to beef and pork producers who maintain high-quality production standards. The program will award grants to eligible producers who have obtained Beef Quality Assurance or Pork Quality Assurance Plus certifications, with priority given to producers with the greatest need. Producers must enter into a written grant agreement committing to maintain their certifications for five continuous years, undergo quarterly verification, and comply with environmental regulations. If a producer breaches the agreement or fails to meet certification standards, they may be required to complete a corrective action plan and could lose grant access and be required to repay received funds. The bill creates a dedicated fund in the state treasury for the program, with moneys appropriated by the general assembly, and allows the authority to develop rules and regulations for program administration. Importantly, the program is subject to available state funding and does not mandate grant awards if sufficient funds are not appropriated.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2497&year=2026&code=R