Suspends the fees collected and remitted to the Missouri Beef Industry Council until the United States Congress passes a law mandating country of origin label for beef
Summary
HB1690 would suspend the fees collected and remitted to the Missouri Beef Industry Council under existing Missouri beef assessment statutes. The suspension would remain in place until Congress enacts a federal law requiring beef and beef food products to be labeled with a country-of-origin phrase such as “Product of the U.S.A.” for cattle that are exclusively born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States.
The bill also provides that if Congress passes such a labeling law and later repeals it, the Missouri beef fee collection would again be suspended. In effect, the bill ties the state’s beef checkoff-style fee system to federal action on country-of-origin labeling for beef, creating a conditional pause in the state program rather than permanently repealing it.
Impact
HB1690 would amend Chapter 275, RSMo, by adding a new section that temporarily halts the collection and remittance of fees to the Missouri Beef Industry Council under sections 275.300 to 275.370. This would directly affect beef producers and others subject to the existing fee structure, as well as the Council’s funding stream for beef promotion and industry activities. The bill does not change the underlying beef fee statutes themselves, but it creates a suspension mechanism keyed to federal country-of-origin labeling legislation.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill is policy-driven and likely supported by those favoring stronger country-of-origin labeling for beef and a conditional approach to state beef fees. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of broader debate or bipartisan sentiment in the available record. The bill’s referral to the Emerging Issues committee indicates it was still in early consideration.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the linkage between Missouri beef industry fees and federal labeling policy. Supporters may view the bill as a way to pressure Congress or align state fee collection with consumer transparency and domestic beef labeling, while opponents may argue that suspending the fees undermines the Missouri Beef Industry Council’s funding and programs regardless of federal action. Another likely issue is whether the state should condition an existing industry assessment on future federal legislation, which could create uncertainty for producers and the Council.