relative to the processing of cattle, swine, sheep, and goats at facilities not certified by the United States Department of Agriculture.

HB 396 exempts meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared within New Hampshire for sale in the state from certain federal inspection requirements. It directly affects small-scale processors, custom slaughter facilities, and local businesses like restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and boarding houses that prepare or sell meat to New Hampshire consumers. The key provision allows meat to be processed without USDA certification if it's distributed exclusively within New Hampshire to household consumers or businesses serving meals directly to customers. This change modifies existing law to expand exemptions for intrastate meat distribution while maintaining state-level oversight.