This bill aims to regulate the ownership interests and contractual agreements of dominant retailers in the livestock and meat packing industries in Minnesota. It introduces a new definition for "dominant retailer," which includes entities primarily engaged in retail meat sales with annual sales exceeding $18 billion and a presence in at least 20 states. The bill prohibits these dominant retailers from owning or acquiring any ownership interest in livestock dealers or meat packing companies, as well as from entering into exclusive contracts that require these companies to sell exclusively to them.

Additionally, the bill mandates that by October 1, 2026, all dominant retailers must certify their compliance with these prohibitions. If they are not in compliance, they may request a 180-day extension by submitting a divestiture plan to the commissioner. The attorney general is tasked with accepting public comments regarding violations and can enforce the law through civil penalties, which could amount to $25,000 for each day of non-compliance. The enforcement provisions will take effect on August 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 17A.03