House Bill 550 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Curtis L. TravisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Poultry; assistance funds, task force established, Department of Agriculture fund administration, international market assistance, action for in-state demand increase required

Summary

HB550 would create a Poultry Export Stabilization and Market Access program to support Alabama poultry producers, processors, and exporters with grants, market access, and in-state demand initiatives.

What This Bill Does

The Department would set up the Poultry Export Recovery Grant Program to provide direct financial aid to eligible poultry entities for operating continuity, product redirection, employee retention, and mitigating trade disruption. It would help exporters identify and enter new international markets, including support for trade missions, marketing materials, and certification; small and mid-sized exporters would get priority. A Capital Investment Fund would finance cold storage, refrigerated transport, and export-focused logistics hubs, with grants or low-interest loans for eligible projects. The state would also push to increase in-state demand through preferential purchasing in public institutions and school meals, plus marketing campaigns and price-stabilization contracts, and a nine-member Poultry Trade Risk Monitoring Task Force would track global policy, assess risks, and advise on policy.

Who It Affects

• Poultry producers, processors, and exporters in Alabama who could receive grants, loans, and market support
• Small and mid-sized exporters who would receive priority for market access and entry into new markets
• Local governments and state agencies that could obtain funds for export infrastructure and in-state demand programs
• Public institutions and school meal programs that would be targeted buyers to boost in-state poultry demand

Key Provisions

• Establish the Poultry Export Recovery Grant Program to provide direct financial assistance for operational continuity, product redirection, employee retention, and disruption mitigation, prioritizing applicants with trade losses from tariffs/embargoes.
• Assist exporters in identifying and entering new international markets, including participation in state trade missions, development of foreign marketing materials, and aid with international health and safety certification; prioritizes small/mid-sized exporters.
• Create a Capital Investment Fund for cold storage facilities, refrigerated transport, and export logistics hubs, with grants or low-interest loans for eligible entities or local governments.
• Require expansion of in-state demand for poultry via preferential purchasing in public institutions and school meals, plus in-state marketing campaigns and price stabilization contracts during downturns, with state agency support on request.
• Establish the Poultry Trade Risk Monitoring Task Force (nine members), to monitor global trade policy, assess risks, and advise on adaptive policy; includes appointments by the Governor, Speaker, and President Pro Tempore; first meeting by Jan 1, 2027; annual reporting; compensation rules for legislative and nonlegislative members.
• Effective date July 1, 2027.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 3, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Agriculture & Forestry