Committee backs Wyoming Prime Act trigger bill to allow retail sales from custom slaughterhouses pending federal action

Senate File 120, known in testimony as the Wyoming Prime Act, cleared the Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee on a voice and recorded vote after advocates said it would expand local market options for small producers while the Department of Agriculture warned of legal and enforcement gaps until the federal Prime Act becomes law.

Senator Salazar introduced the bill to the committee, saying, “I have before you the Wyoming Prime Act, which is a bill that would allow small scale farmers and ranchers to sell homemade meat products,” and described the measure as a “trigger bill” that would take effect only if Congress passes the federal Prime Act. He said the measure would “allow meat from custom slaughterhouses to be sold to customers and retailers” and would require labeling to inform consumers that the product “was not inspected by USDA.”

Tittle Lindholm, identified in testimony as the originator of Wyoming’s Food Freedom Act, described the current gap between custom-exempt and USDA- or state-inspected processing. He said custom slaughterhouses are widespread but “they’re not allowed to retail,” and that the Prime Act would let those facilities “now have the option to be able to sell locally,” which he said could lower prices and expand consumer access.

Doug Miyamoto of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture told the committee the department shares the bill’s premise but cautioned that as written the law could create confusion before federal action: “We have a contractual obligation to carry out to USDA. We have a contract with USDA to carry out the provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act here in Wyoming.” He warned of a risk that, after state passage, some sellers could begin retailing custom-exempt product before federal law or federal implementing action, subjecting them to federal penalties. Miyamoto said the department would try to educate first, and if sales continued it could suspend licenses.

Committee members pressed presenters on timing and scope. Representative Provenza asked about the status of the federal Prime Act; Lindholm replied that the bill has not yet been refiled in the current Congress and that sponsors historically include Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Angus King. Representative Davis asked for the number of custom-exempt facilities; Miyamoto estimated “about 3 dozen facilities that do custom exempt processing,” roughly 14 federal-inspected plants and 6–7 state-inspected plants in Wyoming. In response to a question about enforcement consequences, Miyamoto said the department would seek voluntary compliance and education first and that suspension of licenses could follow persistent violations.

Representatives and stakeholders who testified in support urged public outreach to reduce confusion if the bill passes. Brett Moline of the Wyoming Farm Bureau said Farm Bureau’s newsletter could help notify families that retail sales are not yet legal until federal action occurs. Several other producers’ groups and individual ranchers, including Jim McGagna and Bill Winnie, expressed support at the public-comment portion.

The committee recorded votes by name and outcome. Representative Banks, Representative Davis, Representative Eklund, Representative Johnson, Representative Otman, Representative Schmid, Representative Strauch and Chairman Winter voted aye; Representative Provenza voted no. The committee’s tally was 8 ayes, 1 no; the committee chair announced the bill passed.

The bill remains contingent on federal action: the state-triggered changes would take effect only if Congress enacts the federal Prime Act or a suitable court action makes similar changes, and the Department of Agriculture said it would implement the change only after federal conditions are met.