The Nebraska State Legislature’s Agriculture Committee unanimously advanced LB 324, a small meat processors bill. The measure amends the Nebraska Meat and Poultry Inspection law and allows the State Department of Agriculture to provide assistance to stimulate expansion of meat processing capacity. Center For Rural Affairs Policy Director Johnathan Hladik says there are two parts to the bill, the first that creates a grant program.

He says the second part of the legislation allows the sale of meat directly from the producer to the consumer.

Hladik says this state measure will make it easier to make use of any federal support, particularly CARES Act money that is out there for pandemic relief.

Hladik is hoping now that LB 324 is eligible to be heard on the floor of the Unicameral that it’ll get designated as a priority bill which will make that debate happen.