3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 101

in effect

3 Pa.C.S. § 10101 Short title of chapter.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Program. (July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.)

3 Pa.C.S. § 10102 Legislative intent.

It is the intent of the General Assembly to support the development and expansion of current or future very small meat and poultry processing operations in this Commonwealth by offering reimbursement grants to cover the costs associated with: (1) A grant of inspection from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. (2) Opening a new very small meat and poultry processing operation. (3) Expanding the capacity of a current very small meat and poultry processing operation. (4) A combination of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3). (July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.)

3 Pa.C.S. § 10103 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Applicant." A person applying for a reimbursement grant under section 10104 (relating to grant program). "Grant cycle." The period of time from when the department solicits applications for grants under section 10104 to final reimbursement. "Grant of inspection." An inspection by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service certifying that products at a very small meat and poultry processing operation are produced in accordance with Federal law. "Person." An individual, partnership, association, firm, corporation or any other legal entity. "USDA." The United States Department of Agriculture. "Very small meat and poultry processing operation." A person operating under a grant of inspection that meets the definition of "very small establishment" as described in 9 CFR 381.65(g)(1)(i) (relating to operations and procedures, generally). "Very small meat processor." (Deleted by amendment). (July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.)

3 Pa.C.S. § 10104 Grant program.

(a) Availability.--Grants under this chapter shall only be offered to the extent that funding is made available to the department. The following shall apply: (1) In the event funding is exhausted or otherwise unavailable, the department shall be under no obligation to provide grants under this chapter. (2) Grant money may be prorated or offered as a percentage of actual costs, as determined by the department and set forth in an order by the secretary, to spread available money to a larger number of eligible applicants. The secretary shall transmit notice of an order issued under this chapter to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. (b) Reimbursement grants.--A grant under this chapter shall be a reimbursement grant. The following shall apply: (1) The amount of reimbursement shall be based on actual eligible costs submitted by an approved applicant within the grant cycle. (2) Grant reimbursement money shall only be available for the eligible costs associated with: (i) Meeting the requirements to obtain a grant of inspection. (ii) Opening a new very small meat and poultry processing operation. (iii) Expanding the capacity of a current very small meat and poultry processing operation. (iv) A combination of subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii). (c) Eligibility.--(Deleted by amendment). (c.1) Eligibility.--An applicant may apply to receive reimbursement for eligible costs under section 10105 (relating to eligible costs) if the applicant is a very small meat and poultry processing operation and is either: (1) currently operating under a grant of inspection; or (2) upon completion of the approved project, the applicant will obtain a grant of inspection. (c.2) Attestation.-- (1) An applicant shall attest to the eligibility requirements under subsection (c.1). (2) The attestation shall be made under penalty of law and subject to 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 49 (relating to falsification and intimidation). (3) If a statement or material fact on the application is found to be false, grant money received by the applicant shall be returned to the department within 30 days of notification of the finding. (d) Application procedure.--An applicant who desires to receive a reimbursement grant under this section shall submit a grant application on a form provided by the department. The application shall contain the following information demonstrating and attesting to: (1) The applicant's name, the organization name, a business address and a telephone number. (2) A list of corporate officers. (3) The applicant's eligibility under subsection (c.1). (4) A detailed plan, including the process being undertaken to meet the requirements necessary to obtain a grant of inspection as a very small meat and poultry processing operation. The plan shall outline the overall project and materials being requested, including a line item proposed budget, individual tasks required to complete the project, a detailed timeline for completion of project tasks and, if applicable, detailed descriptions of equipment or supplies required to complete the project, training, consulting, technical support and other services utilized. (5) A detailed list of costs, including training and equipment costs, for which reimbursement is sought. (6) An attestation signed by the applicant and subject to 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 49 stating the applicant is in compliance, or will be in compliance after the approved project, with the Federal Meat Inspection Act (Public Law 59-382, 21 U.S.C. § 601 et seq.) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (Public Law 85-172, 21 U.S.C. § 451 et seq.) to maintain a grant of inspection. (e) Evaluation of application.--The department shall evaluate an application on the basis of: (1) The ability of the applicant to complete the stated project within the stated timeline. (2) The ability of the applicant to provide a detailed description of the project and project costs as required by subsection (d). (3) The potential of the project to provide slaughter or meat or poultry processing capacity and services to this Commonwealth's livestock and poultry producers. (4) The potential of the project to provide availability of Pennsylvania-produced meat or poultry products to consumers. (July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.) Cross References. Section 10104 is referred to in section 10103 of this title.

3 Pa.C.S. § 10105 Eligible costs.

The following costs, incurred during the term of the grant cycle in which the grant is awarded, shall be eligible for reimbursement: (1) (Deleted by amendment). (1.1) Consulting or other technical support services that directly support the development and maintenance of programs required to operate under a grant of inspection. (2) Professional employee training and educational services and programs that support the development and maintenance of programs to operate under a grant of inspection. If a professional consultant is utilized, reasonable costs may be reimbursed, as determined by the department. (3) Up to 85% of the actual costs of the purchase of meat or poultry slaughter or processing equipment or supplies. This paragraph does not include reimbursement of the cost of planning, erection, repair or modification of a structure or building or repair or installation of roofing or other physical structure improvement. (4) The purchase of equipment or supplies directly related to employee safety. (July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.) Cross References. Section 10105 is referred to in section 10104 of this title.

3 Pa.C.S. § 10106 Final reimbursement.

(a) Required submission.--Reimbursement shall be based on the approved applicant's completion of the project and submission of the final costs related to expenses and materials in the applicant's approved grant project within the grant cycle. The submission shall include: (1) (Deleted by amendment). (2) (Deleted by amendment). (3) (Deleted by amendment). (4) Documentation of actual expenditures for eligible costs approved in the grant application and invoices evidencing payment of the costs. The documentation may include invoices for hours of training or consultation. (5) Documentation of the completion of the approved project. The documentation may include pictures and dates of training and equipment installation. (6) Documentation demonstrating that the very small meat and poultry processing operation is operating under a grant of inspection. (7) A written report related to: (i) The completed project. (ii) The expansion of meat or poultry processing capability. (iii) Expanded services to this Commonwealth's livestock and poultry producers. (iv) An increase to the availability of this Commonwealth's meat or poultry products to consumers. (b) Distribution of final reimbursement.--Distribution of grant money to the approved applicant will occur upon the following: (1) Submission and receipt of the information required under subsection (a). (2) Final review and approval for completeness of the required submission and the eligible costs. (3) A completed grant agreement between the department and an approved applicant. (c) Assignment of grant money.--Grant money may only be distributed to the owner of the eligible establishment. The department may not assign grant money to a lessee, operator or person other than the owner of the eligible very small meat and poultry processing operation. (July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.)

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=03Fetched: 10/16/2026