Legislation
The Alliance closely monitors legislation that may impact animal agriculture at the state and federal level. State legislative measures dictating animal care are often lobbied for by activist organizations and have the potential to impact farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to provide safe, nutritious and affordable animal products for all.
States in GREEN have pending legislation.
Federal legislation can be found under DC.
Click on a state to view passed, failed and pending legislation.
On mobile devices please select the state from the list below to view legislation.
Here are current pieces of legislation that should be on your radar:
Would prohibit from and after December 31, 2020, a farm owner or operator from confining an egg‑laying hen in an enclosure with less than one square foot of usable floor space per hen. From and after December 31, 2024, a farm owner or operator in this state may not knowingly confine an egg‑laying hen in an enclosure: that is not a cage-free housing system.
Florida SB 1048 – Courtroom Animal Advocates
Would allow courts to assign an animal advocate to pursue the “interests of an animal” in court proceedings. The bill would also grant powers to lawyers and legal interns trained in animal law.
Hawaii HB 2740: Relating to Public Schools
Requires the Department of Education to develop plant-based alternatives to satisfy 50 percent of protein requirements in meals offered across all public schools annually and incorporate plant-based diet education, including positive environmental impacts, into its dietary health curriculum.
Iowa farm protection law enforcement halted
“A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction preventing Iowa officials from enforcing a new law that would make it a crime for whistleblowers or undercover activists to take pictures or videos at meatpacking plants and livestock facilities.”
A bill for an act creating the criminal offense of food operation trespass, and providing penalties.
A bill for an act relating to false allegations regarding the mistreatment of animals, by providing for certain complaints, and providing penalties.
Kansas farm protection bill ruled unconstitutional
A federal judge ruled provisions in a Kansas law that ban the secret filming at slaughterhouses and other livestock facilities unconstitutionally criminalize free speech on 1/22/2020.
Maine LD 2084 – An Act Prohibiting Certain Confinement of Egg-laying Hens and the Sale of Their Eggs
Prohibits a farm owner or operator within the State to knowingly confine an egg laying hen in an enclosure that is not a cage-free housing system or in an enclosure with less than one square foot of usable floor space per egg-laying hen in multi-tiered aviaries, partially slatted systems or any other cage-free housing system that provides egg-laying hens with unfettered access to vertical space; or one and one-half square feet of usable floor space per egg-laying hen in single-level all-litter floor systems or any other cage-free housing system that does not provide egg-laying hens with unfettered access to vertical space.
Maryland Bill: Crimes Against Animals – Interference with Livestock
Would prohibit a person from willfully and maliciously interfering with, injuring, destroying, or tampering with livestock used for racing or breeding.
Establishes animal cruelty offense of cruel confinement of a gestating pig.
Requires licensed slaughterhouses to have a closed circuit camera and television system in all areas with live animals; establishes a reporting requirement pursuant to inspections where a violation is found.
Any person who willfully trespasses on the property of another which constitutes an animal or crop facility with the intent to commit larceny, destroy property, or disrupt the operation of the facility is guilty of willful trespass upon an animal or crop facility.
The Alliance monitors legislation that may impact animal agriculture. Here are some trends we’ve seen over the years:
Ballot Initiatives introduced by animal rights organizations to challenge production systems and raise the cost for the farmers and ranchers raising livestock and poultry and ultimately for consumers at the grocery store.
Ballot Initiatives:
Massachusetts Q3: The initiative, supported by the Humane Society of the United States, would require MA farms and businesses to produce and sell only eggs from cage-free hens, pork from pigs not raised in or born of a sow raised in conventional housing, and would also apply to veal housing. The ballot passed with 77 percent of the vote on Nov. 8, 2016.
California Prop 2: Also backed by HSUS, this initiative would prohibit with certain exceptions, the confinement on a farm of gestating pigs, veal calves, and egg-laying hens in a manner that prevents the animal to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend its limbs. Related, on July 6, 2010, AB 1437, a bill to require out-of-state eggs meet the same requirements imposed on CA producers by Proposition 2, was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. Prop 2 and AB 1437 both took effect on the same day: January 1, 2015.
Farm Protection Legislation:
Introduced to prevent animal rights extremists from gaining illicit employment on farms with the intent to damage the farms’ reputation. These states currently have farm protection laws: Montana, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, North Dakota, Alabama and Arkansas. Iowa’s law has been temporarily halted. Farm protection laws have been ruled unconstitutional in four states: Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Kansas.
Antibiotic Legislation:
Under FDA Final Guidance 209, Final Guidance 213 and the Veterinary Feed Directive, all medically important antibiotics used in animal feed or water are only for the therapeutic purposes of disease treatment, disease control or disease prevention and under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Some states have introduced bills that would restrict when farmers and veterinarians are allowed to administer antibiotics to food-producing animals. Others would require farmers to submit paperwork regarding their antibiotic usage to the state department of agriculture.
Right to Farm Amendments:
Every state has a Right to Farm law protecting farmers and ranchers who use accepted and standard farming practices from nuisance lawsuits. Several states have introduced amendments that would change the state’s law to prevent new legislation from interfering with farming practices.
Livestock Care Standards Advisory Boards:
States have adopted bills relating to farm animal welfare to establish standards for livestock and poultry care and well-being in the state. So far, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia have such boards.
Alabama Legislation
PENDING
Would provide the Commissioner and the Department of Agriculture and Industries with exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of working animals and animal enterprises. Would also provide a reporting and investigation process for alleged violations of animal cruelty by an animal enterprise.
Status: Introduced 2/18/2020
PASSED
To prohibit a county or municipal government from adopting any ordinance, rule, or resolution concerning the care and handling of livestock or animal husbandry practices on any private property and to reserve the entire subject of care, handling, or animal husbandry to the Department of Agriculture and Industries and the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.
Pass Date: 4/14/2010
SB 271 – Farm Animal, Crop, and Research Facilities Protection Act
Would prohibit any person to intentionally release, steal, destroy, or otherwise cause loss of any animal or crop from an animal or crop facility without the consent of the owner. Other illegal actions include vandalizing obtaining access by false pretenses for the purpose of performing acts not authorized by the facility, and possession of records obtained by theft or deception without authorization of the facility.
Status: Effective 7/1/2002
FAILED
Would require the use of “sound science” when evaluating crop protection chemistry, genetically engineered traits and agricultural nutrients.
Status: Engrossed 4/30/2015; Died in Chamber
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Alaska Legislation
FAILED
HB 315 / SB 164 – Confidentiality of Animal and Crop Records
This bill would reduce the information that can be disclosed to the public about animal and crop diseases and imports.
Status: Engrossed on 4/16/2018, Died in Committee
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 1/18/2017, Died in Committee
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 1/30/2015; Died in Committee
Would require farmed fish to bear a label reading “farmed fish” and fish produced with genetic engineering to bear a label reading “genetically modified fish or fish product.”
Status: Introduced 1/18/2011; Died in Committee
Would urge the United States Food and Drug Administration to deny any application to sell genetically engineered salmon in the United States.
Status: Introduced 1/18/2011; Died in Committee
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Arizona Legislation
PENDING
Would prohibit from and after December 31, 2020, a farm owner or operator from confining an egg‑laying hen in an enclosure with less than one square foot of usable floor space per hen. From and after December 31, 2024, a farm owner or operator in this state may not knowingly confine an egg‑laying hen in an enclosure: that is not a cage-free housing system.
Status: Introduced 2/4/2020
PASSED
Would require a veterinarian who reasonably suspects or believes that an animal has been victim of abuse to report that suspicion to law enforcement within 48 hours after treatment or examination.
Pass Date: 4/27/2010
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating pig or a veal calf on a farm for all or the majority of a day in a manner that prevents the animal from lying down and fully extending its limbs or turning around freely. Ballot passed with 62 percent of the vote on Nov. 7, 2006.
Pass Date: 11/7/2006
FAILED
Would prohibit misrepresenting a product that is not derived from milk as milk or a milk product. Would also prohibit misrepresentation of a product that is not derived from harvested production livestock as meat or a meat food product. Would prohibit the misrepresentation of a product that is not derived from harvested production poultry as a poultry product.
Status: Introduced 2/11/2019; Died in Chamber
Would require foods made with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 5/5/2016; Died in Chamber
Would require foods produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 3/31/2015; Died in Committee
The bill states that a person shall not intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause injury or undue suffering to livestock or poultry and that the director or the director’s designee shall be notified of any investigation of an alleged violation of this and after being notified of the investigation may choose to participate or not participate in the investigation. Would make a person guilty of animal cruelty if that person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly fails to provide medical care and treatment necessary to prevent unreasonable suffering to any animal under the person’s custody or control.
Status: Engrossed 3/10/2014; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit a person convicted of an offense of animal cruelty from owning, fostering, adopting or otherwise to have care or custody of any animal in the person’s household.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2014; Died in Committee
Would require a person who is at least 18 years old and is convicted of a crime of animal abuse or attempted animal abuse to register on the animal abuse registry.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2014; Died in Committee
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 1/24/2013; Died in Committee
Would prohibit the use of a telephone or wireless phone to commit crimes of animal terrorism.
Status: Failed 2/2/2012
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Arkansas Legislation
PASSED
The purpose of this subchapter is to protect consumers from being misled or confused by false or misleading labeling of agricultural products that are edible by humans. Prohibits representing the agricultural product as meat or a meat product when the agricultural product is not derived from harvested livestock, poultry, or cervids.
*10/07/2019 The American Civil Liberties Union attorneys on behalf of Tofurky are seeking to block the Arkansas law.
Pass Date: 3/18/2019, Preliminary Injunction Issued 12/10/2019
Would make a person who knowingly gains access to a nonpublic area of an agricultural production operation and engages in an act that exceeds the person’s authority to enter the nonpublic area is liable to the owner or operator of the property for any damages sustained by the owner or operator. An act that exceeds the person’s authority includes for a reason other than the intent of seeking or holding employment or doing business with the employer and without authorization subsequently:
- Captures or removes the employer’s data, paper, records, or any other documents and uses the information contained on or in the employer’s data, paper, records, or any other documents in a manner that damages the employer;
- Records images or sound occurring within an employer’s commercial property and uses the recording in a manner that damages the employer;
- Places on the commercial property an unattended camera or electronic surveillance device and uses the unattended camera or electronic surveillance device to record images or data for an unlawful purpose;
- Conspires in an organized theft of items belonging to the employer; or
- Commits an act that substantially interferes with the ownership or possession of the commercial property.
6/25/2019: Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), Animal Equality (AE), Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), and Food Chain Worker’s Alliance (FCWA) have filed a lawsuit contesting the constitutionality of HB 1665. The plaintiff organizations are represented by lawyers from the Public Justice Food Project.
Pass Date: 3/23/2017
A person shall not purposely brand, misbrand, mark, or mismark horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and goats with an intent to defraud; or purposely brands over a previous brand or cuts out or obliterates a previous mark or brand on the animal with an intent to defraud.
Pass Date: 4/2/2015
Would provide legal protection to animal owners and their animals to ensure that only law enforcement agencies investigate charges of animal cruelty.
Pass Date: 4/10/2013
Would request the Arkansas Congressional Delegation and the Congress of the United States to support horse processing facilities.
Pass Date: 4/6/2009
FAILED
HB 1769 – Arkansas Animal Abuse Registry
Would create the Arkansas Animal Abuse Registry.
Status: Introduced 3/13/2017; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit a person from knowingly recording an image of or sound from the livestock or poultry operation by leaving a recording device on the private property where the livestock or poultry operation is conducted, with the purpose to cause harm to the operation; knowingly obtaining access to the operation under false pretenses; applying for employment at an operation with the purpose to record an image of or sound from the operation.
Status: Failed 5/17/2013
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California Legislation
PENDING
The bill would provide incentives for public schools across the state to offer students a plant-based entree and plant-based milk at meals.
Status: Engrossed 5/23/2019
PASSED
SB 313 – Circus Cruelty Prevention Act
Existing law regulates the taking and possession of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, including the importation, transportation, possession, and live release of wild animals, as defined. This bill would prohibit a person from using, or allowing to be used, a wild or exotic animal, as defined, in a traveling animal act, as defined. The bill would impose a civil penalty for each violation of its provisions.
Pass Date: 10/12/2019
This bill would make it unlawful to sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, give, donate, or otherwise distribute a fur product in the state of California. The bill would also make it unlawful to manufacture a fur product in the state.
Pass Date: 10/12/2019
Proposition 12 – California Farm Animal Confinement Ballot Initiative
The initiative, if approved, would establish new minimum space requirements for confining veal calves, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens in the state, and would require that all laying hens would be required to be raised in a cage-free environment by the end of 2021. It would also prohibit the sale of products from animals not raised according to the conditions set forth by the measure.
The question is set to appear on the November 6, 2018 ballot.
It is backed by the Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Compassion Over Killing, World Animal Protection, In Defense of Animals, The Humane League, Mercy for Animals, Animal Equality and several other activist groups.
NAMI (North American Meat Institute) filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 12: The Farm Animal Confinement Initiative (Prop 12 or the law). The Meat Institute opposes the law because it will hurt the nation’s food value chain by significantly increasing costs for producers and consumers. As of 11/23/2019, this challenge has been rejected by a California judge.
As of 12/6/2019 the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) have filed a legal challenge to California’s Proposition 12.
Pass Date: 11/6/2018
This bill requires California hospitals and prisons to provide plant-based meal options. The bill was supported by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Pass Date: 9/18/2018
City Ordinance – San Francisco Ban of Fur Sales
The city of San Francisco banned the sale of fur as of January 1, 2019. Retailers have until January 1, 2020 to sell current inventory.
Pass Date: 3/20/2018
CO 170763 – Environment Code – Antibiotic Use in Food Animals
City of San Francisco ordinance that would amend the Environment Code to require certain retailers of raw meat and poultry to report the use of antibiotics in such products to the city’s Department of the Environment.
Pass Date: 10/3/2017
This bill would, beginning 1/1/2018, prohibit the administration of medically important antimicrobial drugs to livestock unless ordered by a licensed veterinarian through a prescription or VFD and would prohibit the use of antimicrobial drugs solely for promoting weight gain and feed efficiency.
Pass Date: 10/10/2015
This bill would also encourage the department to assist in organizing community-supported agriculture. The bill would require producers that market whole produce, shell eggs, or processed foods through single-farm or multi-farm community-supported agriculture programs to register annually with the department as a California direct marketing producer.
Pass Date: 9/9/2013
Would urge Congress to support federal legislation to protect American horses from slaughter for human consumption.
Pass Date: 9/7/2010
Would prohibit the sale of a shelled egg for human consumption if it is the product of an egg-laying hen that was confined in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from fully extending its limbs, lying down, standing up and turning around freely.
Pass Date: 7/6/2010
Would prohibit the tail docking of cattle or horses, except for emergency veterinary treatment to save the animals life or relieve pain.
Pass Date: 9/3/2009
Proposition 2 – Standards for Confining Farm Animals
Backed by HSUS, this initiative would prohibit with certain exceptions, the confinement on a farm of gestating pigs, veal calves, and egg-laying hens in a manner that prevents the animal to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend its limbs. The ballot passed with 63 percent of the vote on November 4, 2008.
Pass Date: 11/4/2008
The bill would prohibit a person from force feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond normal size, and would prohibit a person from hiring another person to do so. The bill would also prohibit a product from being sold in the state if it is the result of force feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond normal size.
Pass Date: 8/24/2004
FAILED
This bill would require that on and after January 1, 2020, a farm owner or operator in California not confine an egg-laying hen in an enclosure with less than 144 square inches of usable floor space per egg-laying hen. On and after January 1, 2024, a farm owner or operator in California shall not confine an egg-laying hen in an enclosure with less than the amount of usable floor space per egg-laying hen required by the 2017 edition of the United Egg Producers’ Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg-Laying Flocks: Guidelines for Cage-Free Housing, or in an enclosure other than a cage-free housing system. This bill would also apply to any eggs sold within the state of California.
Status: Engrossed on 5/30/2018; Died in Committee
AB 243 – California Beef Commission
The bill would create the California Beef Commission to augment and support the work conducted by the California Beef Council and to enable the cattle industry, with the aid of the state, to develop, maintain, and expand the state, nationwide, and foreign markets for beef and beef products produced, processed, manufactured, sold, or distributed in this state for human consumption, and the use and consumption of these beef and beef products in those markets.
Status: Engrossed 5/15/2017; Died in Committee
AB 77 – Milk and Milk Products Act of 1947
This bill would amend the Milk and Milk Products Act of 1947 to define “milk products” and “dairy products” to not include products resembling milk.
Status: Failed 2/1/2016
This bill would require a person who willfully or knowingly documents evidence of animal cruelty, in the form of film, image, photographs, print, recordings, or videotapes, to provide a copy of the applicable form of documentary evidence obtained by the person to local law enforcement or an associated animal control officer within 120 hours of documentation to assist law enforcement with the timely investigation and appropriate enforcement of suspected cases of animal cruelty.
Status: Died in Committee 1/31/2014
Would require any person who uses antibiotics for a non-therapeutic use in any animal raised for the production of any human food product made available commercially shall be required to label the product with the following warning, which shall be prominently displayed on the front of the product packaging and which shall appear in typeface of no less than 14-point font: WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS NON-THERAPEUTIC ANTIBIOTICS.
Status: Died in Committee 11/30/2010
This bill, commencing 9/1/2011, would prohibit the sale or display for sale of any coat, jacket, garment, or other clothing apparel made wholly or partially of fur, regardless of the price of the apparel or the amount or value of the fur contained therein, without having attached thereto and conspicuously displayed a tag or label including the names of the animals from which the fur was acquired and the country of origin of any imported furs. Used articles of clothing would be exempt from these labeling requirements.
Status: Vetoed by Governor 9/25/2010
This bill would require any person over 18 years of age who is convicted of felony animal abuse, as defined, to register with the appropriate law enforcement agency, as provided, for a period of 10 years from the date of conviction.
Status: Introduced 2/19/2010; Died in Committee
Would authorize a school district may make every effort to purchase poultry and meat products that have not been treated with non-therapeutic antibiotics and authorize each school district that purchases poultry or meat products that have not been treated with non-therapeutic antibiotics to report annually to the Superintendent.
Status: Failed 1/28/2010
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around freely or a veal calf in an enclosure in an manner that prevents the calf from turning around freely, lying down with its legs and neck outstretched, and grooming itself.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2003; Died in Committee
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Colorado Legislation
PENDING
Would prohibit failing to label food from animals not born, raised and harvested exclusively in the United States as imported. Would also prohibit labeling food that does not come from animals as “meat” and require lab-grown meat labeling to display notice of its origin.
Status: Introduced 1/15/2020
SB 104 – Powers of Bureau Of Animal Protection Agents
Grants additional duties and powers to bureau of animal protection agents (agent), including the authority to conduct investigations; and to take possession of and impound any animal that the agent has probable cause to believe is a victim of cruelty to animals.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2020
PASSED
Would require veal calves and gestating sows be kept in a way that allows such animals to freely stand up, lie down, and turn around without touching the sides of their enclosure. Effective for veal on 1/1/2012 and effective for gestating sows on 1/1/2018.
Pass Date: 4/7/2008
FAILED
Prohibits labeling food that does not come from animals as “meat” or terms that describe meat and requiring cultured meat labeling to display notice of its origin.
Status: Failed 3/1/2019
Would encourage the state’s citizens to support rodeo and the many sponsors that make it possible for rodeo committees to provide a great source of family entertainment.
Status: Engrossed 1/18/2017; Died in Chamber
Would require a person to report abandonment, mistreatment, or neglect of an animal to the owner or law enforcement within 48 hours.
Status: Failed 2/9/2015
Would prohibit tail docking of any dairy cattle; however, it allows tail docking if the following conditions are met: A licensed veterinarian performs the tail docking; The tail docking is performed for a therapeutic purpose; Anesthesia is used on the animal during the procedure; and The veterinarian conducts the procedure in a manner that minimizes the animal’s long-term pain and suffering.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2013; Died in Chamber
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Connecticuit Legislation
PASSED
Would require any infant formula or baby food that is partially or entirely produced with genetic engineering and is offered or intended for retail sale in the state shall include labeling that states in a clear and conspicuous manner, “produced with genetic engineering”. Such labeling shall be displayed in the same size and font as the ingredients in the nutritional facts panel on the food label.
Pass Date: 6/3/2013
FAILED
Would establish a Livestock Care Standards Advisory Council to provide policy recommendations to the Commissioner of Agriculture on the care and handling of livestock and to prohibit the use of certain enclosures for gestating sows.
Status: Introduced 2/14/2014; Died in Chamber
Would require the labeling of food produced with genetic engineering.
Status: Introduced 2/27/2013; Died in Committee
Would prohibit the confinement of calves raised for veal and gestating sows in a manner that prevents such animals from turning around freely, lying down, standing up or fully extending their limbs.
Status: Introduced 1/24/2013; Died in Committee
Would permit local or regional boards of education to offer humane education courses and use curriculums developed by the Humane Society, ASPCA or other animal rights organizations.
Status: Introduced 1/9/2013; Died in Committee
This bill requires that, beginning July 1, 2014, certain food items are considered misbranded unless labeled as genetically-engineered or partially produced with genetic engineering.
Status: Introduced 2/16/2012; Died in Committee
Would regulate the caging of egg-laying hens, including the prohibition of the use of battery cages.
Status: Introduced 2009; Died in Committee
Would require battery cages for egg laying hens be of a size that ensures such hens have room to spread their wings.
Status: Introduced 2009; Died in Committee
Would prohibit battery cages for egg-laying hens, gestation stalls for sows and veal crates for calves.
Status: Introduced 2009; Died in Committee
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Delaware Legislation
FAILED
Would legalize the sale of unpasteurized, raw milk directly to a final consumer, so long as the final consumer enters into a written contract conveying an ownership interest in the animal or herd from which the raw milk is produced.
Status: Introduced 5/14/2014; Died in Committee
SCR 44 – Establishing An Animal Welfare Task Force
Would establish an Animal Welfare Task Force to consider and evaluate the state of animal welfare in Delaware, including the resources devoted to animal welfare services and whether consolidation, collaboration, or reorganization can lead to more effective use of limited resources.
Status: Engrossed 6/19/2012; Died in Chamber
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Florida Legislation
PENDING
SB 1048 – Courtroom Animal Advocates
Would allow courts to assign an animal advocate to pursue the “interests of an animal” in court proceedings. The bill would also grant powers to lawyers and legal interns trained in animal law.
Status: Introduced 11/25/2019
PASSED
HB 765 – Ivonne Rodriguez and Victoria McCullough Horse Protection Act
It would be unlawful to knowingly transport, distribute, sell, purchase, or possess horse meat for human consumption which is not clearly stamped, marked, and described as horse meat for human consumption or horse meat that is not acquired from a licensed slaughterhouse.
Pass Date: 5/4/2010
Amendment 10 – HSUS Ballot Initiative: Gestating Sows
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around freely. Ballot passed with 55 percent of the vote on 11/5/2002.
Pass Date: 11/5/2002
FAILED
Beginning January 1, 2017, would require any package offered for retail sale containing processed food that is made with or derived from any genetically engineered ingredient or that is produced from a source that contains recombinant bovine growth hormone to be labeled as “contains genetically engineered ingredients.”
Status: Failed 5/1/2015
Would require foods produced with genetic engineering to be labeled by January 1, 2016 and would require the Department of Agriculture to compile and publish a list of raw agricultural commodities that are cultivated commercially in genetically engineered form.
Status: Failed 5/2/2014
Would require foods produced with genetic engineering to be labeled by January 1, 2014 and would require the Department of Agriculture to compile and publish a list of raw agricultural commodities that are cultivated commercially in genetically engineered form.
Status: Failed 5/3/2013
Would prohibit a person from entering onto a farm and making any audio record, photograph, or video record at the farm without the owner’s written consent.
Status: Engrossed 5/6/2011; Died in Chamber
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Georgia Legislation
PENDING
Amends existing legislation so it is unlawful to label “non-animal products and non-slaughtered animal flesh” as meat.
Status: Engrossed 3/7/2019
Limits the circumstances in which an agricultural facility or operation may be sued for a nuisance.
Status: Introduced 2/28/2019
PASSED
Would prohibit any county, municipality, consolidated government, or other political subdivision in the state to adopt or enforce any ordinance, rule, regulation, or resolution regulating crop management or animal husbandry practices.
Pass Date: 5/1/2009
FAILED
Would prohibit transport of any animal in the bed of a truck without a minimum of 46” tall rails, unless animal is cross-tethered or enclosed. Exempts the transportation of livestock.
Status: Introduced 3/9/2009; Died in Committee
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Hawaii Legislation
PENDING
HB 2740: Relating to Public Schools
Requires the Department of Education to develop plant-based alternatives to satisfy 50 percent of protein requirements in meals offered across all public schools annually and incorporate plant-based diet education, including positive environmental impacts, into its dietary health curriculum.
Status: Introduced 1/23/2020
SB 2782: Relating to School Meals
Requires the Department of Education to establish a plant-based food and beverage program to award funds to participating public schools who serve meals that include plant-based food options or plant-based milk options.
Status: Introduced 1/17/2020
Prohibits misrepresenting a product as meat that is not derived from harvested production livestock or poultry.
Status: Introduced 1/24/2019
The bill states “a farm owner or operator within the State shall not knowingly cause any covered animal to be confined in a cruel manner” and includes veal, pork and eggs.
Confined in a “cruel manner” is defined as:
“Confining a covered animal in a manner that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending the animal’s limbs, or turning around freely;
After December 31, 2019, confining a calf raised for veal with less than forty-three square feet of usable floorspace per calf;
After December 31, 2021, confining a breeding pig with less than twenty-four square feet of usable floor space per pig;
After December 31, 2019, confining an egg-laying hen with less than one hundred forty-four square inches of usable floorspace per hen; and
After December 31, 2021, confining an egg-laying hen with less than the amount of usable floor space per hen required by the 2017 edition of the United Egg Producers’ Animal Husbandry Guideline for U.S. Egg-Laying Flocks: Guidelines for Cage-Free Housing or in an enclosure other than a cage-free housing system.”
Status: Introduced 1/24/2019
PASSED
Would expand livestock feed subsidies to include milking goats, goats raised for meat, sheep, lambs, fish, and crustaceans.
Pass Date: 7/2/2013
SB 757 – Future Farmers of America Program
Would appropriate funds to the Department of Education to operate and implement the Future Farmers of America program.
Pass Date: 7/2/2013
FAILED
Would establish an on-farm mentoring program to teach and train farmers to utilize a whole farm system approach to agriculture. Makes an appropriation to the department of agriculture to support existing on-farm mentoring programs and for a pilot on-farm mentoring program in Maui.
Status: Engrossed 3/8/2016; Died in Committee
HB 823 – Agricultural Theft Pilot Project
Would establish a two-year Agricultural Theft Pilot Project in the Department of Agriculture to focus on investigating and prosecuting agricultural theft or agricultural vandalism in the County of Hawaii.
Status: Enrolled 4/14/2015; Died in Chamber
Would require all genetically engineered food to be labeled with a disclosure stating that it is “Produced with Genetic Engineering.”
Status: Introduced 1/29/2015; Died in Committee
Guarantees the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices.
Status: Introduced 1/28/2015; Died in Committee
Would establish an Agricultural Development and Food Security Program. Establishes state planning objectives to increase demand and access to locally grown foods.
Status: Introduced 1/26/2015; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit propagating, cultivating, or farming genetically engineered fish in state marine waters.
Status: Introduced 1/26/2015; Died in Committee
HB 687
Description:
Would authorize counties to regulate genetically engineered organisms and pesticide use to the extent that the regulations are more stringent than state or federal laws.
Status: Introduced 1/26/2015; Died in Committee
Would prohibit the planting of a genetically engineered seed or plant part in an open field. Allows the chairperson of the board of agriculture to grant an exception where such planting is done in a controlled environment.
Status: Introduced 1/23/2015; Died in Committee
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled by January 1, 2016.
Status: Introduced 1/22/2015; Died in Chamber
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Engrossed 3/5/2013; Died in Chamber
SB 699 – Aircraft; Transfer of Animals
Would establish food, water, cargo hold temperature, cargo transfer, and certification requirements for air transport of live animals.
Status: Introduced 1/18/2013; Died in Committee
Would criminalize the consumption of or trafficking in dog, cat or equine animal meat for the purpose of human consumption.
Status: Introduced 1/26/2011; Died in Chamber
Would make it unlawful for any person to possess, sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute foie gras.
Status: Introduced 1/20/2011; Died in Chamber
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Idaho Legislation
PASSED
This bill eases the “private property” posting requirements and increases the fines for those caught trespassing.
Pass Date: 3/23/2018
Would allow the director of the department of agriculture through the division of animal industries to regulate beef cattle animal feeding operations to protect state natural resources, including surface water and ground water.
Pass Date: 3/22/2016
HB 113 – Idaho Agritourism Promotion Act
Would make an agritourism professional not liable for injury or death of a participant resulting from the inherent risks of agritourism activities, as long as a warning sign is placed in a clearly visible location at the entrance to the agritourism location and at the site of the agritourism activity.
Pass Date: 3/29/2013
Clarifies the role of local law enforcement agencies and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture in responding to animal care complaints by specifying that the department is responsible for production animals while local law enforcement be responsible for companion animals.
Pass Date: 4/11/2011
Would deem that no agricultural operation, agricultural facility or expansion thereof shall be or become a nuisance, private or public, by any changed conditions in or about the surrounding non-agricultural activities after it has been in operation for more than one year, when the operation, facility or expansion was not a nuisance at the time it began or was constructed.
Pass Date: 4/6/2011
Requires that the Idaho State Department of Agriculture notify the public and Legislature when proposing a rule that is more stringent or broader in scope than federal law or regulation or when proposing to regulate an activity not regulated by the federal government.
Pass Date: 4/6/2011
Would amend existing law relating to animals to provide that specified law shall not be construed as interfering with or allowing interference with the humane slaughter or equines and normal or accepted practices of animal identification and animal husbandry as established by, but not limited to, guidelines developed and approved by the appropriate national or state commodity organizations.
Pass Date: 3/18/2010
FAILED
SB 1337 – Interference with Agricultural Production
Would make a person guilty of interference with agricultural production if the person:
- Is not employed by the facility and enters by force, threat, misrepresentation or trespass.
- Obtains employment by force, threat or misrepresentation with the intent to cause economic or other injury to the facility’s operations, livestock, crops, personnel, equipment, buildings or premises.
- Enters without the consent of the owner and makes audio or video recordings.
- Intentionally causes physical damage or injury to the agricultural production facility’s operations, livestock, crops, personnel, equipment, buildings or premises.
Status: Passed 2/24/2014, but then ruled unconstitutional on 8/3/2015
Would amend to include fish and other aquatic animals as production animals if they are owned for the express purpose of producing food or fiber.
Status: Introduced 1/28/2013; Died in Chamber
SB 1331 – Idaho Livestock Care Standards Board
Would add to existing law to provide for the Idaho Livestock Care Standards Board to establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in the state.
Status: Engrossed 3/1/2010; Died in Chamber
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Illinois Legislation
PENDING
Amends the Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. Provides that a carcass, part thereof, meat or meat food product, or poultry or poultry food product is misbranded if it purports to be or is represented as a meat or meat food product or poultry or poultry product but is a cell-cultured food product. Defines “cell-cultured food product”. Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that a food is misbranded if it purports to be or is represented as a meat or meat food product or poultry or poultry product but is a cell-cultured food product as defined in the Meat and Poultry Inspection Act.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2019
Creates the Administration of Antibiotics to Food-Producing Animals Act which provides that a medically-important antibiotic may be administered to a food-producing animal only if prescribed by a licensed veterinarian who has visited the farm operation within the previous six months and only if deemed necessary for specific purposes.
Status: Introduced 2/5/2019
PASSED
SB 1470- Amends the Meat and Poultry Inspection Act
Would provide that any establishment subject to inspection under the Act that believes, or has reason to believe, that an adulterated or misbranded meat or meat food product received by or originating from the establishment has entered into commerce shall promptly notify the Director of Agriculture.
Pass Date: 12/27/2013
SB 3604 – Advisory Board of Livestock
Would establish an Advisory Board of Livestock Commissioners with 25 people who are interested in the well-being of domestic animals and poultry and in the prevention, elimination and control of diseases affecting them.
Pass Date: 7/12/2010
FAILED
SB 734 – Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act
Would create the Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act that would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 2/3/2015; Died in Committee
Would require that fresh and frozen fish be labeled with the species of fish, whether it is farm raised or wild caught, whether it was caught domestically or imported, and the country of origin.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2015; Died in Committee
SB 1532 – Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act
Would provide that if the Department of Agriculture determines that a complaint made under the Act against a person or entity is false or unfounded and made with the intent to harass the person or entity, the Department may waive any confidentiality of the complainant and refer the matter to the State’s Attorney for consideration of criminal charges against the complainant.
Status: Failed 1/13/2015
SB 1666 – Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act
Would create the Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act that would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Failed 1/13/2015
HB 3085 – Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods Act
Would require foods produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Failed 12/3/2014
Would prohibit the tail docking of any bovine.
Status: Failed 1/8/2013
HB 5143 – Amends the Animal Research and Production Facilities Protection Act
Would create the offense of animal facility interference for creating or possessing, without the consent of the owner, a visual or sound recording made at the animal facility, which reproduces a visual or audio experience occurring at the facility.
Status: Introduced 2/8/2012; Died in Chamber
SB 1337 – Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act
Would prohibit a person from confining any a gestating pig, veal calf or egg-laying hen, on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a manner that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, and fully extending its limbs or turning around freely.
Status: Introduced 2/10/2009; Died in Committee
HB 583 – Amends the Illinois Horse Meat Act
Would repeal a provision that prohibits the slaughter of horses for human consumption.
Status: Introduced 2/5/2009; Died in Committee
Would provide that unless performed by a licensed veterinarian for a medical reason, tail docking and ear cropping constitutes “animal torture”.
Status: Introduced 1/30/2009; Died in Committee
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Indiana Legislation
PENDING
Provides that a food product is misbranded for purposes of the animal products law, and may not be sold or offered for sale, if: (1) the product is not derived from harvested livestock or poultry but the labeling of the product states or implies that the product is a meat product or poultry product; or (2) the product consists partially or entirely of tissue cultured in vitro from animal cells and the labeling of the product does not clearly state that the product contains tissue cultured in vitro from animal cells. Authorizes the state board of animal health to adopt rules providing that: (1) food products not derived from harvested livestock or poultry; and (2) food products that contain tissue cultured in vitro from animal cells; shall not be misbranded. Amends the law concerning dairy products to prohibit the sale or offering for sale of a food or drink product if: (1) the product does not consist of and is not derived from the milk of a cow, goat, or other mammal; and (2) the labeling of the product states or implies that the product is a dairy product.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2020
PASSED
SB 101 – Agricultural operations and trespass
Adds causing property damage to an agricultural operation to the existing crime of institutional criminal mischief. Provides that a person commits criminal trespass if, without the owner’s permission, the person enters: (1) that portion of an agricultural operation that is used for production; or (2) any part of the real property of an agricultural operation and causes property damage.
Pass Date: 3/14/2014
Provides that if a court finds that the prosecution or defense of a nuisance action brought against an agricultural operation was frivolous, the court shall award court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees to the prevailing party.
Pass Date: 3/15/2012
HB 1099 – Standards for livestock and poultry care
Would allow the board of animal health to assist organizations that represent poultry producers with issues related to poultry and allow the board to adopt rules to establish standards governing the care of livestock and poultry.
Pass Date: 3/25/2010
FAILED
Labeling of food products. Provides that a food product is misbranded for purposes of the animal products law, and may not be sold or offered for sale, if: (1) the product is not derived from harvested livestock or poultry but the labeling of the product states or implies that the product is a meat product or poultry product; or (2) the product consists partially or entirely of tissue cultured in vitro from animal cells and the labeling of the product does not clearly state that the product contains tissue cultured in vitro from animal cells. Authorizes the state board of animal health to adopt rules providing that: (1) food products not derived from harvested livestock or poultry; and (2) food products that contain tissue cultured in vitro from animal cells; shall not be misbranded. Amends the law concerning dairy products to prohibit the sale or offering for sale of a food or drink product if: (1) the product does not consist of and is not derived from the milk of a cow, goat, or other mammal; and (2) the labeling of the product states or implies that the product is a dairy product.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2019; Died in Committee
Replaces the current prohibition against starting construction or expansion of a confined feeding operation without the prior approval of the department of environmental management (IDEM).
Status: Engrossed 2/28/2017; Died in Chamber
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled by July 1, 2016.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2015; Died in Committee
HB 1404 – Confined feeding financial ability requirements
Would prohibit, after December 31, 2014, a person from starting the construction of a concentrated animal feeding operation or an expansion of a CAFO that would increase animal capacity or manure containment capacity without obtaining the prior approval of the department of environmental management.
Status: Introduced 1/16/2014; Died in Committee
Would prohibit the impairment of traditional or modern farming and livestock production practices.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2014; Died in Committee
SB 373 – Criminal trespass and application fraud
Would prohibit a person from knowingly or intentionally submitting an application to a prospective employer to secure employment and making a false statement about a material fact or concealing a material fact in the application in order to secure employment.
Status: Enrolled 4/15/2013; Died in Chamber
Would require food produced with genetic engineering be labeled by July 1, 2014.
Status: Introduced 1/10/2013; Died in Committee
HJR 5 – Right to ranch and farm
Guarantees the right of Indiana citizens to engage in traditional and modern farming and ranching practices. Provides that no law shall be enacted that abridges the right of Indiana citizens to employ traditional or modern agricultural technology, animal production, or ranching practices.
Status: Introduced 1/10/2013; Died in Committee
SB 391 – Crimes concerning agriculture and livestock
Would prohibit a person from entering real property that is owned by another person and on which agricultural operations are being conducted; and take a photograph of or make a video recording or motion picture of the real property, structures located on the real property, or the agricultural operations being conducted on the real property; without the written consent of the owner of the real property or an authorized representative of the owner. Requires the board of animal health to establish a registry of persons convicted of crimes concerning agricultural operations and livestock.
Status: Introduced 1/10/2013; Died in Committee
SB 184 – Unlawful recording of agricultural operations
Would make it unlawful for a person to (1) enter real property that is owned by another person and on which agricultural operations are being conducted; and (2) take a photograph of or make a video recording or motion picture of the real property, structures located on the real property, or the agricultural operations being conducted on the real property; without the written consent of the owner of the real property or an authorized representative of the owner.
Status: Introduced 1/4/2012; Died in Committee
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Iowa Legislation
PENDING
A bill for an act creating the criminal offense of food operation trespass, and providing penalties.
Status: Introduced 2/24/2020
A bill for an act relating to false allegations regarding the mistreatment of animals, by providing for certain complaints, and providing penalties.
Status: Introduced 2/12/2020
Would establish a country of origin labeling program for beef and pork meat products.
Status: Introduced 1/23/2020
This law defines agricultural production facility trespassing and the punishment for committing it. On 2/14/2019 a judge ruled that this code was unconstitutional and could not be enforced. Iowa legislature quickly re-wrote the bill and got it signed into law in March of 2019. On 4/22/2019 a challenge was filed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund to get the law deemed unconstitutional. On 12/2/2019 a judge issued a preliminary injunction on the law. This means that while the challenge goes through the court process, the law can not be enforced.
Status: Preliminary injunction 12/2/2019
A food product vendor shall not advertise for sale or sell a food product by using the term “meat” including any variation of that term, unless such food product derives from an animal’s muscle tissue, fat, gland, or organ.
Status: Introduced 2/27/2019
A bill for an act establishing a moratorium relating to the construction, including expansion, of structures that are part of certain confinement feeding operations where swine are kept.
Status: Introduced 2/4/2019
PASSED
HF 2408 – Regulating Egg Sales
This bill would require grocery stores participating in a federal program to carry conventional eggs if they also provide an inventory of “specialty” (cage-free, free-range or enriched colony) eggs. The bill would not require a grocery store to stock eggs if it does not stock specialty eggs for sale or stock conventionally produced eggs for sale if it had not stocked eggs for sale prior to January 1, 2018.
Pass Date: 3/21/2018
SF 447 – The Responsible Farm Protection Bill
Would establish a new section in Iowa Code to provide nuisance protection to responsible livestock farmers. The nuisance protection would apply to both confinement feeding operations and open feedlot operations. To qualify for the nuisance protection, a livestock farmer must comply with state and federal law and use existing prudent and generally utilized management practices reasonable for the operation.
Pass Date: 3/29/2017
SF 2172 – Relating to management of swine
A bill for an act relating to management of swine, including by providing for biosecurity and development in a farrowing and gestating operation which is part of a confinement feeding operation.
Pass Date: 3/20/2012
FAILED
States a person commits agricultural production facility trespass if the person uses deception on a matter that would reasonably result in a denial of access and/or employment to an agricultural production facility that is not open to the public, and through such deception, gains access to the agricultural production facility with the intent to cause physical or economic harm or other injury to the agricultural production facility’s operations, animals, crops, owner, personnel, equipment, building, premises, business interest or customer. (formerly HSB 236)
Status: Introduced 3/6/2019, Withdrawn: 3/12/2019
HF 589 – Agricultural Production Facility Fraud
Would make it a crime for any person to obtain access to an agricultural production facility under false pretenses; and to make a false statement or representation as part of an application to be employed at an agricultural production facility, if the person knows the statement is false, and makes the statement with the intent to commit an act not authorized by the owner of the agricultural facility, knowing that the act is not authorized.
Status: Passed 3/2/2012; Repealed 1/9/2018
Provides for certain court actions regarding allegations of a public or private nuisance or the interference with a person’s comfortable use and enjoyment of life or property caused by an animal feeding operation, providing for the award of damages, costs, and expenses, and including effective date provisions.
Status: Introduced 2/28/2017; Withdrawn 3/22/2017
Authorizes counties to adopt county legislation relating to the siting of confinement feeding operations.
Status: Introduced 2/28/2017; Died in Committee
SF 194 – Consumer Labeling Information for Food Act
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2013; Died in Committee
SF 431 – Animal Facility Interference and Fraud
Would prohibit a person from producing a record which reproduces an image or sound occurring at the animal facility. Would prohibit a person from obtaining access to the animal facility by false pretenses.
Status: Introduced 3/7/2011; Died in Chamber
HF 28 – Siting of confinement feeding operations
Would allow counties to adopt legislation relating to the siting of confinement feeding operations so the county may approve or disapprove the location of any construction, including expansion of a confinement feeding operation within the county.
Status: Introduced 1/12/2011; Died in Committee
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Kansas Legislation
PENDING
Prohibiting the use of identifiable meat terms on labels of meat analogs without either an accompanying disclaimer that the product does not contain meat or the inclusion of the word “imitation” before the name of the meat food product being imitated.
Status: Introduced 1/23/2020
Imposing a criminal penalty upon owners who allow livestock to run at large and allowing county sheriffs to seize such livestock that are on a highway.
Status: Introduced 2/19/2019
FAILED
Kansas Farm Animal and Field Crop Research Facilities Protection Act
The act made it a crime to “…damage or destroy an animal facility or an animal or property at an animal facility; exercise control over an animal facility, an animal from an animal facility or animal facility property with the intent to deprive the owner of it; enter an animal facility that is not open to the public to take photographs or recordings; and remain at an animal facility against the owner’s wishes.”
Status: Passed 1990; Ruled Unconstitutional 1/22/2020
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Kentucky Legislation
PASSED
Would establish the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Board.
Pass Date: 4/12/2010
FAILED
Urges the United States Congress to enact legislation granting the United States Department of Agriculture jurisdiction over labeling requirements for imitation meat products.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2019; Died in Chamber
SR 208 – HSUS fundraising investigation
Encourage the United States Attorney General and the Attorney General of the state of Kentucky to investigate the Humane Society of the United States for false and misleading fundraising practices.
Status: Introduced: 2/16/2018; Died in Committee
Would prohibit animal shelters from conducting euthanasia by gas chamber.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2013; Died in Committee
Would provide that veterinarians who report suspected animal cruelty cases are not in violation of client/patient confidentiality requirements.
Status: Introduced 2/4/2011; Died in Committee
HB 277 – Animal Care Advisory Board
Would change the name of the Animal Control Advisory Board to the Animal Care Advisory Board and authorize the board to establish standards for the humane care of animals in publicly funded animal shelters and make policy recommendations on animal welfare and upgrade of animal shelters to the General Assembly.
Status: Introduced 2/1/2011; Died in Committee
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Louisiana Legislation
PASSED
Would establish an urban agriculture incentive zone.
Pass Date: 7/1/2015
Would not require inspection of the slaughter of animals and the preparation of carcasses, meat and meat food products if the products are sold and transported directly to the consumer by the retail store, restaurant, or similar retail type establishment’s employees or a common carrier, provided there is no intervening transfer or storage.
Pass Date: 6/29/2015
Would prohibit for anyone to knowingly bring into the state or to transport through this state or to move within this state any adulterated meat or diseased livestock or animals without the express written approval of the commissioner of agriculture and forestry.
Pass Date: 6/5/2013
SB 36 – Louisiana Board of Animal Health
Would allow the Louisiana Board of Animal Health to adopt rules and regulations establishing standards governing the care and well-being of bovine, equine, ovine, caprine, porcine and poultry and to prohibit local ordinances, laws, subdivision restrictions or regulations establishing standards applicable to the care and well-being of such animals.
Pass Date: 6/8/2010
FAILED
Would authorize sale of raw milk for human consumption and require a label that states “Raw Milk: This product is fresh whole milk that has NOT been pasteurized.” Would also require information describing the standards used by the farm or dairy with respect to the production of raw goat milk or whole milk to be provided to the consumer by the farmer, together with the results of tests performed on the milk and the animals that produced the milk, and an explanation of the tests and test results.
Status: Introduced 4/3/2015; Died in Committee
Would require any food containing the product of a cloned animal to be labeled as such.
Status: Introduced 3/10/2014; Died in Committee
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Maine Legislation
PENDING
LD 2084 – An Act Prohibiting Certain Confinement of Egg-laying Hens and the Sale of Their Eggs
Prohibits a farm owner or operator within the State to knowingly confine an egg laying hen in an enclosure that is not a cage-free housing system or in an enclosure with less than one square foot of usable floor space per egg-laying hen in multi-tiered aviaries, partially slatted systems or any other cage-free housing system that provides egg-laying hens with unfettered access to vertical space; or one and one-half square feet of usable floor space per egg-laying hen in single-level all-litter floor systems or any other cage-free housing system that does not provide egg-laying hens with unfettered access to vertical space.
Status: Introduced 1/28/2020
PASSED
LD 351 – An Act To Ensure Accuracy in the Labeling of Maine Meat and Poultry
Prohibits the mislabeling of poultry and meat. Poultry and poultry products sold or offered for sale may not be labeled with a certified “Maine” trademark or labeled or advertised as “Maine-raised” or by a similar designation unless the poultry was raised solely in the State from no later than the 7th day after hatching; and Meat and meat products sold or offered for sale may not be labeled with a certified “Maine” trademark or labeled or advertised as “Maine-raised” or by a similar designation unless the animal was born in the State and raised solely in the State.
Pass Date: 6/12/2019
FAILED
LD 1446 – Confidentiality of Information in the Animal Welfare Laws
This bill provides that the names of and identifying information about persons who have contracted with or been hired by an entity for the purpose of filming or recording business operations of another entity to provide information pertaining to criminal or civil cruelty to animals to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may be made public.
Status: Failed 6/7/2017
This bill repeals the provisions of law that establish an affirmative defense for certain violations under the animal welfare laws that the animal is kept as part of an agricultural operation and in compliance with best management practices for animal husbandry as determined by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
Status: Failed 4/25/2017
LD 991 – Amend Maine’s Genetically Modified Food Products Labeling Law
It extends by 4 years, from 2018 to 2022, the date before which 5 contiguous states, including Maine, have to adopt mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food in order for Maine’s law to go into effect. If that contingency is not met, Maine’s law is repealed.
Status: Failed 4/29/2015
Would provide that the Legislature may not make a change to a measure initiated and approved by vote of the people for 8 years after that measure takes effect if that change is contrary to the general intent of that measure. Supported by HSUS.
Status: Failed 3/30/2011
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Maryland Legislation
PENDING
SB 286 – Crimes Against Animals – Interference With Livestock
Would prohibit a person from willfully and maliciously interfering with, injuring, destroying, or tampering with livestock used for racing or breeding.
Status: Introduced 1/21/2020
Providing that a food is misbranded if it is offered for sale in the State with a label that identifies the product as a meat or a meat product and the product contains animal tissue cultured from animal cells outside the animal from which the tissue is derived or is made from plants or insects.
Status: Introduced 1/15/2020
PASSED
SB 471 – Use of Antimicrobial Drugs – Limitations and Reporting Requirements
This bill is meant to clarify a certain prohibition on administering a medically important antimicrobial drug in a regular pattern to certain cattle, swine, or poultry; exempt dairy cattle on a farm operation with a herd size of fewer than 10 dairy cattle from certain provisions of law concerning the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs; and prohibit the administration of a medically important antimicrobial drug to certain cattle, swine, or poultry unless ordered by a licensed veterinarian in a certain manner.
Pass Date: 5/25/2019
SB 422 – Keep Antibiotics Effective Act of 2017
Will prohibit farmers and ranchers from giving antibiotics to their livestock or poultry without an antimicrobial prescription or a VFD issued by a veterinarian (which is already required under the FDA guidance 213 and the Veterinary Feed Directive) and require the farmer to submit a copy of the prescription or VFD to the State Department of Agriculture.
Pass Date: 5/27/2017
SB 142 – Secretary of Agriculture – Farm Food Safety
Would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a farm quarantine for a specified purpose on a farm infected or infested with a pathogen.
Pass Date: 4/10/2012
FAILED
Would prohibit a product from being identified as meat if the product contains animal tissue cultured from animal cells outside the animal from which the tissue is derived or is made from plants or insects.
Status: Introduced 1/15/2020, Died in Committee
Requiring the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee to publish a list of carbon-intensive foods, in consultation with the Department of the Environment and the Department of General Services, and to establish best practices for units to reduce the volume of carbon-intensive foods purchased to the maximum extent practicable as a percentage of gross food purchases; establishing as a goal for the Department of General Services a reduction, to the extent practicable, of the volume of carbon-intensive foods purchased by State procurement units.
Status: Introduced 2/1/2019; Died in Chamber
SB 607 – Cattle, Swine, and Poultry – Use of Antimicrobial Drugs
Prohibiting a specified owner of cattle, swine, or poultry from administering or authorizing an agent to administer specified antimicrobial drugs in specified cattle, swine, and poultry without a prescription or veterinary feed directive issued by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with specified conditions.
Status: Introduced 2/5/2016; Died in Committee
Would require a production contract to include a clear written statement of setting forth the nature of the material risks faced by a producer if the producer enters into the contract.
Status: Introduced 2/5/2016; Died in Committee
HB 599 – Poultry Litter Management Act
Would require a specified integrator to place poultry only at a contract operation that maintains a specified nutrient management plan that the contract grower represents has been fully implemented.
Status: Introduced 2/3/2016; Died in Committee
HB 1075 – Antibiotic Drug Usage – Food-Producing Animals
Would prohibit administration of an antibiotic to a food-producing animal under specified circumstances; requiring the State Department of Agriculture to establish by regulation a certain program; requiring the regulations adopted by the Department to include certain provisions; defining a certain term; and generally relating to antibiotic drug usage in food–producing animals.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2015; Died in Chamber
SB 725 – Chesapeake Bay – Nutrient Management – Poultry Fair Share Act
Would establish a specified chicken manure pollution fee payable to the Comptroller by the poultry integrator.
Status: Introduced 1/31/2014; Died in Committee
HB 903- Genetically Engineered Food – Disclosure and Labeling Requirements
Would establish that specified foods offered for retail sale in the State produced with genetic engineering are misbranded if specified disclosure or labeling requirements are not met.
Status: Introduced 2/7/2013; Died in Chamber
SB 521 – Meat and Poultry – Antibiotic Use – Labeling
Would require specified meat and poultry derived from animals that are raised, processed, and sold in the State to bear a label identifying each antibiotic that was fed or administered to the animal while being raised in the State.
Status: Introduced 1/31/2013; Died in Chamber
SB 254 – Maryland Livestock and Poultry Care Advisory Board
Would establish the Maryland Livestock and Poultry Care Advisory Board. The Board would compile and review science-based standards that have been adopted by the agricultural industry, develop and maintain standards for educational purposes to aid producers and local animal welfare officers and to make recommendations to the secretary of agriculture for publication and dissemination of generally accepted standards that consider agricultural best management practices for animal care and well-being, herd health and safe, affordable healthy food supplies for consumers.
Status: Introduced 1/28/2011; Died in Chamber
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Massachusetts Legislation
PENDING
Establishing farm to school grants to promote healthy eating and strengthen the agricultural economy.
Status: Introduced 1/22/2019
HB 4146 – To upgrade hen welfare and establish uniform cage-free standards
Would update the definitions provided in the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act.
Status: Introduced 10/10/2019
PASSED
Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act
The initiative, backed by the Humane Society of the United States, would require Massachusetts’ farms and businesses to produce and sell only eggs from cage-free hens, pork from pigs not raised in or born of a sow raised in conventional housing, and would also apply to veal housing.
Pass Date: 11/8/2016
FAILED
HB 4050 – To promote the care and well-being of livestock
Would establish a Livestock Care and Standards Board to advise the Commissioner of Agriculture on appropriate actions to be taken to help ensure the humane keeping and treatment of livestock, and the viability of farms and related businesses involved in the rearing and keeping of livestock.
Status: Introduced 11/30/2017; Died in Committee
Would prohibit the confinement of a gestating sow or veal calf in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around freely, lying down, standing up and fully extending its limbs.
Status: Introduced 6/30/2014; Died in Chamber
Would establish a livestock care and standards board to to advise the Commissioner of Agriculture on appropriate actions to be taken by the Commissioner to help ensure the humane keeping and treatment of livestock, and the viability of farms and related businesses involved in the rearing and keeping of livestock.
Status: Introduced 1/23/2013; Died in Chamber
Would require food produced with genetic engineering sold in the state to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 1/22/2013; Died in Committee
Would prohibit the confinement of a gestating sow, veal calf or egg-laying hen in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal form turning around freely, lying down, standing up and fully extending its limbs.
Status: Introduced 1/24/2011; Died in Committee
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Michigan Legislation
PENDING
Amends the Michigan Food Law to prohibit a person from labeling or identifying a lab-grown meat substitute as meat.
Status: Introduced 9/11/2019
PASSED
Requires that all eggs that are produced or sold in Michigan be produced in cage-free laying systems by 2025.
Pass Date: 11/21/2019
FAILED
The bill would amend the state’s Animal Industry Act to prohibit a farm owner or operator from confining an animal for all or the majority of the day in such a way that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs and turning around freely. The bill would apply to egg-laying hens starting October 12, 2025 and gestating sows starting April 1, 2020.
Status: Vetoed on 12/28/2018
Would create an animal care advisory council within the Michigan Department of Agriculture to review the on-farm certification program for animal care standards based on sound scientific principles, consider and change species-specific science-based animal care standards and implementation guidelines that consider changes or developments in the existing national standards and develop a process for the certification of third-party auditors by the department.
Status: Introduced 6/23/2009; Died in Chamber
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Minnesota Legislation
PENDING
Amends the Board of Animal Health membership to include a producer from each of the beef, pork, dairy, deer/elk industries in Minnesota and one practicing large-animal veterinarian and one practicing veterinarian licensed in Minnesota.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2020
FAILED
Would prohibit euthanasia of pet and companion animals with non-anesthetic gas. Although companion animal focused, could set a precedent for animal agriculture.
Status: Introduced 2/23/2017; Died in Committee
SF 901 – Farmer-Neighbor Mediation Act
Modifying the nuisance liability protection for certain agricultural operations, establishing the farmer-neighbor mediation program, requiring mediation for certain disputes with farming operations before it is brought to court.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2017; Died in Committee
HF 2295 – Appropriating money for avian influenza payments
Would provide that $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2015 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to the primary owner of each commercial poultry production premises where birds were depopulated after the United States Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Status: Introduced 5/4/2015; Died in Committee
SF 335 / HF 351 – Genetically engineered food labeling regulations
Would require foods produced with genetic engineering be labeled.
Status: Introduced 1/26/2015; Died in Committee
Would require foods produced with genetic engineering be labeled.
Status: Introduced 2/28/2013; Died in Committee
Would provide that chickens or other poultry or pigs that have been fed with feed containing roxarsone or any other additive that contains arsenic must not be sold or purchased live or in processed form in Minnesota for any use including sale in retail stores and use in restaurants or fast food establishments.
Status: Introduced 4/27/2011; Died in Committee
Would make a person guilty of animal facility interference if the person records video or sound at the facility and would make a person guilty of animal facility fraud if the person obtains access to the facility under false pretenses.
Status: Introduced 4/7/2011; Died in Committee
SF 3212 – Prohibition on use of medically important antibiotics in animal feed
After January 1, 2011, a person may not sell, buy, or use animal feed for a non-therapeutic use that contains medically important antibiotics used in human medicine.
Status: Introduced 3/11/2010; Died in Chamber
Close
Mississippi Legislation
PASSED
Prohibits local governments from regulating agricultural operations activities.
Pass Date: 3/16/2018
FAILED
Would prohibit meat produced or cultured from animal tissue and plant-or insect-based food products from being labeled as meat.
Status: Failed 3/5/2019
Would require cell-cultured meat or lab-grown meat to be labeled as such at the point of final purchase. Would also prohibit the false advertisement for the sale of meat, meat products or cell-cultured meat or lab-grown meat.
Status: Introduced 1/16/2019; Died in Committee 2/5/2019
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Missouri Legislation
PENDING
Prohibits the inspection of certain grounds or facilities in Missouri to enforce the laws of a state other than Missouri.
Status: Introduced 1/8/2020
Currently, a person is guilty of animal trespass if a person with ownership or custody of an animal fails to provide adequate control of the animal for a period of 12 hours or more. This bill changes the crime to livestock trespass.
Status: Introduced 1/8/2020
Establishes an animal abuse registry. Defines animal as “a companion animal not including livestock or wildlife.”
Status: Introduced 1/8/2020
PASSED
The bill prohibits misrepresenting a product as meat that is not derived from harvested production livestock or poultry.
Pass Date: 8/28/2018
Would guarantee the rights of Missourians to engage in farming and ranching practices. The ballot passed with 50 percent of the vote.
Pass Date: 8/5/2014
Under the act, employees of animal agricultural operations who videotape what they suspect is animal abuse must provide the recording to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours and any such recordings must not be edited in any way.
Status: Effective 8/28/2012
FAILED
Allows for the slaughter and processing of feral hogs for human consumption at facilities inspected by the USDA or Missouri Department of Agriculture.
Status: Introduced 1/9/2019; Died in Committee
The bill requires all animal care training materials for law enforcement to be certified by the state veterinarian.
Status: Engrossed 3/15/2018; Died in Chamber
Prohibits animal rights charitable organizations from soliciting contributions intended for use outside the state or for political purposes.
Status: Introduced 2/22/2016; Died in Committee
Would connect Missouri schools and farmers in order to provide locally grown food to schools.
Status: Introduced 3/5/2015; Died in Committee
SB 139 – Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act of 2015
Would establish the Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act of 2015 to enhance and improve Missouri’s dairy and dairy processing industries.
Status: Introduced 1/7/2015; Died in Committee
HB 1204 – Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act
No person, entity, or state agency shall use a drone or other unmanned aircraft to conduct surveillance or observation of any individual, property owned by an individual, farm, or agricultural industry without the consent of that individual, property owner, farm, or agricultural industry except to the extent authorized in a warrant.
Status: Engrossed 3/24/2014; Died in Chamber
Would require all genetically modified meat and fish raised and sold in Missouri to be labeled as genetically modified.
Status: Introduced 1/8/2014; Died in Committee
Proposes a constitutional amendment affirming the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices.
Status: Enrolled 5/14/2013; Died in Committee
Close
Montana Legislation
PASSED
An act clarifying requirements for meat; providing a definition of ‘cell-cultured edible product’; clarifying the definition of ‘hamburger’ and ‘ground beef’; clarifying circumstances when food and meat is misbranded or mislabeled.
Pass Date: 4/18/2019
HB 439 – Require recording of board of livestock meetings
Would require the Board of Livestock to audio record and may video record all board meetings and the board shall make the audio or video recording available online in real time when possible and shall make meeting recordings publicly available on the board’s website within 2 business days of the meeting date.
Pass Date: 4/15/2015
81-30-1 – Farm Animal and Research Facility Protection Act
Would prohibit a person who does not have the effective consent of the owner from entering an animal facility to take pictures by photograph, video camera, or other means with the intent to commit criminal defamation.
Pass Date: 1991
FAILED
SB 206 – Country of Origin Placarding Act
Requires livestock and poultry produces that are born and raised in the United States and offered for sale in Montana to have a placard indicating that the livestock or poultry products were born, raised and processed in the U.S. If the livestock or poultry product contains any blending of foreign and domestic products from a country other than the U.S., the placard must indicate the product was processed in in the U.S.
Status: Failed 4/25/2019
Provide for personal consumption of raw milk
Status: Introduced 11/20/2018; Died in Committee
SB 285 – Generally revise laws relating to reporting of animal cruelty and abuse
Would require an individual who witnesses evidence of animal cruelty at an animal facility to report the evidence within 24 hours to a local humane officer.
Status: Introduced 2/6/2015; Died in Chamber
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Nebraska Legislation
PENDING
Would provide for a deceptive trade practice relating to meat under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Status: Introduced 1/23/2019
PASSED
Change provisions governing determination of a public or private nuisance under the Nebraska Right to Farm Act. The proposed expansion to Nebraska’s Right to Farm Act from Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango grants farmers legal protections to change the size of their operation or adopt new technology, as long as they take reasonable steps to mitigate potential nuisances like odor and dust.
Pass Date: 5/8/2019
LB 176 – Change the Competitive Livestock Markets Act
Would change provisions relating to contract swine operations.
Pass Date: 2/11/2016
LB 865 – Livestock Animal Welfare Act
Adopt the Livestock Animal Welfare Act.
Pass Date: 3/17/2010
FAILED
Would prohibit products from being labeled as “meat” if they are not derived from livestock or poultry.
Status: Withdrawn 1/22/2019
Constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to engage in certain farming and ranching practices.
Status: Introduced 1/6/2016; Died in Chamber
LB 393 – Change provisions of the Livestock Animal Welfare Act
Would allow the Director of Agriculture may commission animal cruelty investigation agents who shall be licensed veterinarians who have completed training or acquired certification as specified by the director. Amends cruelly neglect to mean failure to provide livestock with care consistent with customary animal husbandry practices.
Status: Introduced 1/16/2015; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit any person from obtaining employment at an animal facility with the intent to disrupt the normal operations of the animal facility.
Status: Introduced 1/10/2012; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, and fully extending all limbs without touching the side of an enclosure; and turning in a complete circle without any impediment, including a tether, and without touching the side of an enclosure.
Status: Introduced 1/23/2008; Withdrawn
Close
Nevada Legislation
Nevada currently has no pending legislation.
Close
New Hampshire Legislation
FAILED
This bill establishes a committee to study animal welfare in New Hampshire.
Status: Introduced 11/6/2017; Died in Chamber
Would exempt New Hampshire agricultural products produced, sold, and consumed in New Hampshire from the FDA Food Safety and Modernization Act.
Status: Introduced 12/16/2013; Died in Chamber
HB 59 – Prohibiting the cruel confinement of certain farm animals
Would prohibit a farm owner or operator from knowingly confining any veal calf or gestating sow in an enclosure in a manner that prevents such animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs and turning around freely.
Status: Died in Committee 3/14/2013
Would require the labeling of genetically engineered foods and agricultural commodities.
Status: Introduced 1/3/2013; Died in Chamber
Would require persons who record cruelty to livestock to report such cruelty and submit such recordings to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours.
Status: Introduced 1/3/2013; Died in Chamber
Close
New Jersey Legislation
PENDING
Establishes animal cruelty offense of cruel confinement of a gestating pig.
Status: Introduced 2/25/2020
Establishes the New Jersey Animal Abuser Registry.
Status: Introduced 2/25/2020
Expresses support for national ban of non-therapeutic use of antibiotics on livestock.
Status: Introduced 2/3/2020
Prohibits persons convicted of criminal animal cruelty offenses from owning domestic companion animals and from working or volunteering at animal-related enterprises.
Status: Introduced 2/3/2020
Would prohibit a person from performing, or causing to be performed, an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure by any means on a cat or other animal, unless the procedure is deemed necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian.
Would also prohibit artificially marking sheep or cattle, or causing them to be marked, by cropping or cutting off both ears, cropping or cutting either ear more than one inch from the tip end thereof, or half cropping or cutting both ears or either ear more than one inch from the tip end thereof, or who shall have or keep in the person’s possession sheep or cattle, which the person claims to own, marked contrary to this subsection unless they were bought in market or of a stranger.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2020
The bill would make transporting for slaughter, selling or otherwise providing for slaughter or slaughtering a pregnant cow a fourth degree crime that carries criminal and civil penalties, including fines ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 and up to 18 months in prison.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2020
Establishes the “NJ One Health Task Force,” which will develop a plan to promote inter-disciplinary communication and collaboration between human, animal, and environment health professionals along with providing promotion of and education concerning judicious antibiotic use by human, veterinary, and agriculture health professionals.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2020
Prohibits harassment of farmers engaged in farming operations.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2020
PASSED
Directs Dept. of Agriculture to establish public awareness campaign for food waste.
Pass Date: 5/9/2019
Would prohibit the slaughter of horses and sale of horseflesh for human consumption.
Pass Date: 9/19/2012
Would provide that the ostrich, emu, and rhea, shall be designated as agricultural livestock and shall be subject to the laws, rules and regulations governing the importation, care and breeding of that type of animal in the State.
Pass Date: 1/8/1998
FAILED
AR 190 – Urges FDA to prohibit labeling of non-dairy products as milk
This resolution opposes the use of the term “milk” as a label for non-dairy products and respectfully urges the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate and take appropriate action against any manufacturer found to be offering for sale non-dairy products with the label “milk.”
Status: Introduced 10/15/2018; Died in Committee
Establishes animal cruelty offense of cruel confinement of a gestating pig.
Status: Introduced 4/5/2018; Died in Committee
Extends “Right to Farm” protection to certain agricultural tourism activities and events; requires adoption of agricultural management practices therefor; and permits special occasion events that promote agricultural tourism to be conducted under certain circumstances.
Status: Introduced 2/1/2018; Died in Committee
Expresses support for national ban of non-therapeutic use of antibiotics on livestock.
Status: Introduced 1/9/2018; Died in Committee
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow in a manner that prevents the animal from being able to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, or fully extend its limbs.
Status: Introduced 11/14/2016; Died in Committee
Expresses support for national ban of non-therapeutic use of antibiotics on livestock. It is the sponsor’s hope that this resolution persuades Congress and the FDA to institute a mandatory ban on non-therapeutic uses of antibiotics in livestock, with significant oversight as to therapeutic uses as well.
Status: Introduced 1/27/2016; Died in Committee
Would permit the sale of raw milk by a person holding a valid raw milk permit. The bill would also require the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services, to establish a raw milk permit program.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2016; Died in Chamber
Would provide for the establishment of continuing education course requirements for certified animal control officers.
Status: Introduced 10/23/2014; Died in Committee
This bill provides that a person may hold an agriculture-related event on preserved farmland if the owner of the land first obtains a permit from the county agriculture development board to hold such an event.
Status: Introduced 10/16/2014; Died in Committee
Would require foods produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 10/16/2014; Died in Committee
Allows commercial farmer to recover reasonable costs and attorney fees of defending against unreasonable complaints under Right to Farm Act.
Status: Introduced 1/16/2014; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from being able to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, or fully extend its limbs.
Status: Vetoed 6/27/2013
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from from being able to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, or fully extend its limbs.
Status: Introduced 9/24/2012; Died in Chamber
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 7/30/2012; Died in Chamber
This bill would designate the bison (or American buffalo) as agricultural livestock, subject to regulations of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Senior Services. Currently, these animals are considered an “exotic species,” and their possession is regulated by the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection.
Status: Introduced 1/12/2010; Died in Committee
This concurrent resolution memorializes the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency to not impose livestock fees associated with greenhouse gas emissions.
Status: Introduced 2/5/2009; Died in Committee
AB 3298 – Office of Animal Welfare
Would establish the Office of Animal Welfare in the Department of Health and Senior Services to have responsibilities that relate to the care, housing, and shelter of animals and the protection of animals from animal cruelty.
Status: Introduced 10/16/2008; Died in Committee
Would prohibit forcible feeding of ducks, geese, and other poultry for the production of foie gras.
Status: Introduced 6/1/2006; Died in Committee
Close
New Mexico Legislation
PASSED
SB 72 – Right To Farm & Operations As Nuisance
Would provide that any agricultural operation or agricultural facility is not, nor shall it become, a private or public nuisance by any changed condition in or about the locality of the agricultural operation or agricultural facility if the operation was not a nuisance at the time the operation began and has been in existence for more than one year.
Pass Date: 2/1/2016
FAILED
Prohibits food from being labeled as meat or poultry if the food is not derived from harvested production livestock or poultry.
Status: Introduced 1/15/2019; Died in Chamber
HB 459 – Beef Council Assessment Opt-out
Would allow producers to elect not to participate in the council assessment through an application process.
Status: Vetoed 2/19/2017
SB 398 – Running at large of livestock
Would provide that upon receipt of a petition, the board of county commissioners may make an order prohibiting the running at large of livestock within the limits of the platted town site and platted addition or within the limits of the conservancy or irrigation districts or within the limits of the military reservation or enclave, as the case may be, and shall cause the order to be published once each week for four consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in the county where the petition has been filed.
Status: Enrolled 3/16/2015; Died in Chamber
SB 221 – Report livestock injuries to law enforcement
Would require a person who has made a video or digital recording to submit the recording to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours of determining or having reason to believe that it depicts injury to livestock. It is prohibited to splice, edit or otherwise alter a video or digital recording prior to its submission to a law enforcement agency.
Status: Introduced 1/22/2015; Died in Chamber
SB 348 – Right To Farm & Operations As Nuisance
Would provide that any agricultural operation or agricultural facility is not, nor shall it become, a private or public nuisance by any changed condition in or about the locality of the agricultural operation or agricultural facility if the operation was not a nuisance at the time the operation began except that the provisions of this section shall not apply whenever an agricultural operation or agricultural facility is operated negligently or illegally such that the operation or facility is a nuisance.
Status: Introduced 1/22/2015; Died in Chamber
SB 552 – Livestock operation interference act
States a person is guilty of livestock operation interference if the person:
- Without consent from the owner of a livestock operation, or the owner’s agent, knowingly or intentionally records an image of, or sound from, the livestock operation by leaving a recording device on the livestock operation;
- Obtains access to a livestock operation under false pretenses;
- Applies for employment at a livestock operation with the intent to record an image of, or sound from, the livestock operation;
- Knows, at the time that the person accepts employment at a livestock operation, that the owner of the livestock operation prohibits the employee from recording an image of, or sound from, the livestock operation and while present on the livestock operation records an image of, or sound from, the livestock operation; or
- Without consent of the owner of a livestock operation or the owner’s agent, knowingly or intentionally records an image of, or sound from, a livestock operation while the person is committing criminal trespass on the operation.
Status: Introduced 2/1/2013; Died in Chamber
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Introduced 1/15/2013; Died in Chamber
Close
New York Legislation
PENDING
Requires licensed slaughterhouses to have a closed circuit camera and television system in all areas with live animals; establishes a reporting requirement pursuant to inspections where a violation is found.
Status: Introduced 2/6/2020
A livestock producer may provide medically important antimicrobial to a food-producing animal only if a licensed veterinarian determines that the provision of the medically important antimicrobial is necessary 1) to control the spread of a disease or infection, 2) to treat a disease or infection, 3) in relation to surgical or other medical procedures. Medically important antimicrobials shall not be used for promoting weight gain, improving feed efficiency or disease prevention.
Status: Introduced 1/28/2020
Would prohibit rodeos from engaging in calf roping or using flank straps or bucking straps on horses, cattle or other livestock.
Status: Introduced 8/1/2019
Prohibits a person from engaging in the non-therapeutic use of antimicrobial agents in cattle, poultry, sheep, swine, or any food-producing animal.
Status: Introduced 1/24/2019
Requires public schools to offer plant-based food options in food service.
Status: Introduced 1/16/2019
Requires disclosure and labeling of food products from cloned animals or the progeny of such animals.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2019
PASSED
New York Governor signed this bill that requires New York hospitals “to make available upon request plant-based meals and snacks containing no animal products or by-products that are nutritionally equivalent to other menu items. The bill also requires hospitals to list the plant-based options on all written materials and menus.”
Pass Date: 12/9/2019
New York City Council has banned Foie Gras. This bill would prohibit retail food establishments or food service establishments from storing, maintaining, selling, or offering to sell force-fed products or food containing a force-fed product. The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that any item with a label or listed on the menu as “foie gras” is the product of force-feeding.
Pass Date: 10/30/2019
Would prohibit a person to rope, lasso, or otherwise obstruct or interfere with one or more legs of an equine in order to intentionally cause it to trip or fall for the purpose of engagement in a rodeo, contest, exhibition, entertainment, or sport unless such actions are in the practice of accepted animal husbandry or for the purpose of allowing veterinary care. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the dehorning of cattle conducted in a reasonable and customary manner.
Pass Date: 3/23/2015
Before seizing and impounding any agricultural animal, would require a humane investigator, law enforcement officer or animal control officer to contact the state veterinarian who shall recommend the most appropriate action for effecting the seizure and impoundment of the agricultural animal.
Pass Date: 3/28/2011
Provides that any veterinarian who makes a report of suspected animal cruelty or who provides records or information related to a report of suspected cruelty or testifies in any judicial proceeding arising from such report, records, or information shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability or administrative penalty or sanction on account of such report, records, information, or testimony, unless such veterinarian acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose.
Pass Date: 4/11/2010
FAILED
Would establish an animal cruelty registry organized and maintained by the Superintendent of State Police.
Status: Introduced 12/13/2013; Died in Committee
Close
North Carolina Legislation
PENDING
SB 315 – North Carolina Farm Act of 2019
Amends the definition of an agritourism activity to include hunting, fishing, shooting sports and equestrian activities.
Status: Engrossed 6/17/2019
An act to phase out traditional animal waste management systems that serve swine farms; to establish minimum humane standards for the treatment of cows, poultry, and swine; and to study the potential reporting of antibiotic drug use in livestock raised in North Carolina.
Status: Introduced 4/15/2019
SB 423 – North Carolina Animal Abuser Registry Act
Establishes the North Carolina Animal Abuser Registry. Lawful activities conducted for purposes of biomedical research or training or for purposes of production of livestock, poultry or aquatic species are exempt.
Status: Introduced 3/28/2019
PASSED
SB 711 – North Carolina Farm Act of 2018
The bill is an act to make various changes to agricultural laws, including restricting nuisance lawsuits against farms and other livestock and forestry operations and address the mislabeling of plant-based beverages as “milk.” The sale of mislabeled plant-based products will be prohibited with the passing of this act, but only if the same mandate is enacted into law by any 11 of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Pass Date: 6/27/2018
HB 765 – Regulatory Reform Act of 2015
Would establish an animal welfare hotline to receive reports of allegations of animal cruelty or violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
Pass Date: 10/22/2015
SB 513 – North Carolina Farm Act of 2015
Would provide regulatory relief to the agricultural community of North Carolina by providing for various transportation and environmental reforms.
Pass Date: 9/30/2015
HB 405 – Property Protection Act
The act provides that any person who intentionally gains access to the nonpublic areas of another’s premises and engages in an act that exceeds the person’s authority to enter those areas is liable to the owner or operator of the premises for any damages sustained.
Pass Date: 6/4/2015
HB 366 – North Carolina Farm Act of 2014
Would maintain the confidentiality of environmental investigations for agricultural operations and direct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to adopt rules for a formal complaint procedure.
Pass Date: 8/6/2014
SB 638 – North Carolina Farm Act of 2013
Would enact the North Carolina Farm Act of 2013 to limit the liability of NC commodity producers arising from food safety issues related to their products and amend certain egg labeling requirements.
Pass Date: 7/17/2013
FAILED
HB 899 – Local Authority/Large-Scale Chicken Farms
Would allow a county to adopt zoning regulations governing poultry farms with an animal waste management system having a design capacity of 150,000 or more confined poultry, provided that the zoning regulations may not have the effect of excluding poultry farms with an animal waste management system having a design capacity of 150,000 or more confined poultry from the entire zoning jurisdiction.
Status: Introduced 4/11/2013; Died in Committee
HB 905 – Hog Lagoon Phase Out/Livestock Treatment
Would phase out traditional animal waste management systems that serve swine farms and would prohibit a farm owner or operator from confining a veal calf, egg-laying hen or gestating sow on a farm for all or the majority of any day in a manner taht prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs or turning around freely.
Status: Introduced 4/11/2013; Died in Committee
HB 780 – Study Antibiotics Fed to Livestock
Would require the Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, with the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, to study the use of antibiotic drugs in livestock production in the State.
Status: Introduced 4/10/2013; Died in Committee
Close
North Dakota Legislation
PASSED
The bill would require township and county governments to act within 60 days on a petition to determine whether an animal feeding operation complies with local zoning regulations. Failure to act within that deadline would mean the operation is deemed in compliance.
Pass Date: 5/2/2019
An act to create and enact section 4.1-31-05.1 and a new section to chapter 19-02.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to misrepresenting non meat as a meat food product; to amend and reenact section 4.1-31-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of meat and the nomenclature of edible meat products; and to provide a penalty.
Pass Date: 3/13/2019
Prohibits a person from advertising, selling or misrepresenting non meat as a meat food product.
Pass Date: 3/13/2019
Would establish food labeling standards, direct the clarification of voluntary food labeling standards, and provide for a review of foods derived through the use of biotechnology.
Pass Date: 3/24/2015
HB 1381 – Interference with the taking of wildlife
An individual may not intentionally interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife on public or private land by another or intentionally harass, drive, or disturb any wildlife on public or private land for the purpose of disrupting a lawful hunt.
Pass Date: 3/20/2015
Measure 3 – North Dakota Farming and Ranching Amendment
Would block any law which abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology, modern livestock production and ranching practices. Ballot passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Pass Date: 11/8/2012
12.1-21.1 – Animal Research Facility Damage Act
Would prohibit a person to intentionally damage or destroy an animal facility, an animal or property in or on the animal facility, or any enterprise conducted at the animal facility; Acquire or otherwise exercise control over an animal facility or an animal or other property from an animal facility with the intent to deprive the owner and to damage the enterprise conducted at the facility; Enter an animal facility, not then open to the public, with intent to commit an act prohibited by this section; Enter an animal facility and remain concealed with intent to commit an act prohibited by this section; Enter an animal facility and commit or attempt to commit an act prohibited by this section; Enter an animal facility and use or attempt to use a camera, video recorder, or any other video or audio recording equipment or intentionally turn out or release any animal in or on an animal facility.
Pass Date: 1991
FAILED
Would provide for a legislative management study of the laws relating to the humane treatment of animals.
Status: Engrossed 2/23/2011; Died in Chamber
Close
Ohio Legislation
PENDING
Makes humane society agents subject to bribery law and establishes procedures for the seizure and impoundment of livestock.
Status: Engrossed 10/30/2019
Prohibits the death of domesticated animals by the use of a gas chamber. Exempts livestock.
Status: Introduced 6/19/2019
PASSED
HB 414 – Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board
Would establish requirements and responsibilities of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board and the Director of Agriculture in administering and enforcing the rules adopted by the Board that govern the care and well-being of livestock in this state.
Effective Jan. 1, 2018, veal calves must be housed in group pens by 10 weeks of age. Additionally, whether housed in individual stalls or group pens the calves must be allowed to turn around and cannot be tethered. Also effective Jan. 1, tail docking on dairy cattle can only be performed by a licensed veterinarian and if only medically necessary.
Pass Date: 3/31/2010
FAILED
Would make humane society agents subject to bribery law.
Status: Engrossed 11/14/2018; Died in Committee
Would establish the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board which would establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in the state, subject only to the authority of the General Assembly. When establishing standards, the board shall consider factors including: biosecurity, disease prevention, food safety practices and agricultural best management practices.
Status: Engrossed 6/4/2009; Died in Chamber
Close
Oklahoma Legislation
PENDING
SB 1271 – Oklahoma Meat Consumer Protection Act
Prohibits misrepresenting meat as any product not derived from harvested production livestock.
Status: Introduced 2/3/2020
A grocery store that is a vendor participating in a federal food program and offering specialty eggs for retail sale shall maintain an inventory of conventional eggs for retail sale sufficient to meet federal and state requirements for participation in the federal food program.
Status: Introduced 2/4/2019
Requires any retailer that sells imported beef to maintain a sign indicating the section of the retail establishment that sells imported beef.
Status: Introduced 2/4/2019
PASSED
“Meat” means any edible portion of livestock, poultry or captive cervid carcass or part thereof and prohibits persons advertising or selling food plans or carcasses from engaging in certain misleading or deceptive practices.
Pass Date: 4/26/2019
Misrepresenting the cut, grade, brand or trade name, or weight or measure of any product, or misrepresenting a product as meat that is not derived from harvested production livestock or poultry; provided product packaging for plant-based items shall not be considered to be in violation of the provisions of this paragraph so long as the packaging displays that the product is derived from plant-based sources.
Pass Date: 4/26/2019
Law states no action for nuisance shall be brought against agricultural activities on farm or ranch land which has lawfully been in operation for two (2) years or more prior to the date of bringing the action. The established date of operation is the date on which an agricultural activity on farm or ranch land commenced. This bill would amend the established date of the operation under certain circumstances.
Pass Date: 5/16/2017
Would protect the rights of citizens and lawful residents of Oklahoma to engage in farming and ranching practices. It prohibits the Legislature from passing laws that would take away the right to employ agricultural technology and livestock production without a compelling state interest.
Pass Date: 4/30/2015
Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer or exhibit for sale, or have in his or her possession with intent to sell, any quantity of horse meat for human consumption in Oklahoma; also makes it illegal for someone to transfer possession of any horse meat when they know the person receiving intends to sell it and the State Commissioner of Health can have access to any establishment in which horse meat or feed suspected of containing horse meat is present to examine any and all sales records and to embargo any food or horse meat suspected to being in violation of the law.
Pass Date: 4/1/2013
Would provide that new swine feeding operations established on or after November 1, 2011, using liquid swine waste management systems and housing swine in roof-covered structures shall not be located within three (3) miles from the outside boundary of any area or facility with an average annual registered attendance of not less than two thousand (2,000) people and owned or operated as a camp or recreational site by a nonprofit organization established prior to application of the swine feeding operation.
Pass Date: 5/11/2011
FAILED
Would allow the creation of prosperity districts.
Status: Engrossed 3/28/2017; Died in Committee
Would prohibit any animal rights charitable organization to solicit contributions intended for out-of-state or for political purposes.
Status: Engrossed 3/2/2016; Died in Committee
Any person who meets the hunting requirements of the Department of Wildlife Conservation shall be obligated to kill any and all feral swine upon capture, unless licensed to transport pursuant to the Feral Swine Control Act.
Status: Introduced 2/2/2015; Died in Chamber
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer or exhibit for sale, or have in his or her possession with intent to sell, any quantity of horse meat for human consumption within the United States.
It shall be lawful to sell, offer or exhibit for sale, or have in his or her possession with intent to sell, any quantity of horse meat for human consumption if: The horse meat is to be exported internationally; The horses are sold through a livestock auction; and The horses are purchased by a livestock dealer.
Status: Engrossed 2/21/2013; Died in Committee
Would protect the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices. It prohibits the Legislature from passing laws that would take away the right to employ agricultural technology and modern livestock production.
Status: Introduced 2/4/2013; Died in Chamber
HB 1306 – Oklahoma Livestock Care Standards Board
Would establish the Oklahoma Livestock Care Standards Board for the purpose of establishing standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in this state.
Status: Introduced 2/7/2011; Died in Committee
HB 2345 – Oklahoma Livestock Care Standards Board
Would create the Oklahoma Livestock Care Standards Board for the purpose of establishing standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in this state.
Status: Failed 5/28/2010
Would prohibit any person from, without good cause, maliciously and knowingly cutting or damaging a fence used for the production or containment of cattle, bison, horses, sheep, swine, goats, domestic fowl, exotic livestock, exotic poultry or any game animals or domesticated game such that there is a loss or damage to the property.
Status: Engrossed 3/19/2012; Died in Chamber
Close
Oregon Legislation
PASSED
SB 805 – Relating to egg-laying hens
Would prohibit a commercial farm owner or operator from confining egg-laying hens in an enclosure that does not meet standards equivalent to the requirements for certification established in the United Egg Producers’ Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg Laying Flocks and would require that enclosures constructed or otherwise acquired on or after January 1, 2012, meet, or be convertible into enclosures that meet, standards equivalent to the requirements for certification of enriched colony facility systems established in the American Humane Association’s farm animal welfare certification program.
Originally, HSUS was pushing a ballot question that would mandate cage-free housing for egg-laying hens by 2019, but dropped the ballot when an agreement was signed by UEP and HSUS. The agreement said HSUS would not move forward with ballot initiatives in Oregon and Washington to go cage free.
Pass Date: 6/22/2011
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow in an enclosure for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period in a manner that prevents the sow from lying down and fully extending its limbs or turning around freely.
Status: Effective 1/1/2008
FAILED
Classifies dairies exceeding specified size as industrial facilities for purposes of right to farm laws, air pollution laws and land use laws. Provides that use of water for industrial dairy is industrial use. Allows local governments to adopt human health and safety ordinances restricting or prohibiting air and water emissions by dairies classified as industrial facilities. Prohibits Department of Environmental Quality and State Department of Agriculture from issuing permits for construction of new industrial dairy or for addition to, or expansion of, existing industrial dairy.
Status: Failed 6/30/2019
Livestock producers would only be able to provide a medically important antibiotic to their animals if a veterinarian determines it’s necessary to treat or control the spread of a disease or infection, or due to a medical procedure. Farms that are considered concentrated animal feeding operations would have to submit information about their antibiotic usage to the state government, with those records subject to disclosure as public documents.
Status: Failed 7/7/2017
Would prohibit administration of medically important antibiotics to food-producing animals for non-therapeutic purposes unless there is a significant risk of a disease or infection that is present on the premises being transmitted to the food-producing animal; it is necessary to prevent transmission of the disease or infection; it is provided to the food-producing animal for the shortest duration necessary to prevent transmission of the disease or infection; and it is provided to the smallest number of food-producing animals necessary to prevent transmission of the disease or infection. Would require the operator of a CAFO to file an annual report regarding administration of medically important antibiotics to food-producing animals at the operation. Makes prohibition and reporting applicable to provision of antibiotics to food-producing animals on or after January 1, 2018. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status: Failed 7/7/2017
Would require labeling of genetically engineered fish sold or offered for sale for human consumption and require labeling of packaged products containing genetically engineered fish and sold or offered for sale for human consumption.
Status: Failed 3/3/2016
HB 2598 – Relating to the provision of antibiotics to food-producing animals
Would prohibit administration or other provision of medically important antibiotic to food-producing animal for non-therapeutic purposes. Requires operator of concentrated animal feeding operation to file annual report regarding administration of medically important antibiotics to food-producing animals at operation.
Status: Failed 7/6/2015
Would add offenses of equine tripping and encouraging animal abuse to definition of “animal welfare laws” for purposes of enforcement by humane special agents.
Status: Failed 7/6/2015
Would require foods produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Failed 7/6/2015
Would prohibit administration of medically important antibiotics to food-producing animals for non-therapeutic purposes. Would require the operator of a CAFO to file an annual report regarding administration of medically important antibiotics to food-producing animals at the operation. Makes prohibition and reporting applicable to provision of antibiotics to food-producing animals on or after January 1, 2016.
Status: Failed 7/6/2015
Would require foods produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Status: Failed 7/8/2013
Would permit the Dairy Animal Welfare Board to submit comments to the Legislative Assembly based on the most recent scientific data of accepted animal husbandry practices existing at the time. The comments may include, but need not be limited to, comments regarding the potential impacts on dairy animal care and welfare and on the safety of human dairy food supplies of legislation and ballot initiatives dealing with dairy animal care and agricultural practices affecting dairy animals.
Status: Failed 6/30/2011
Close
Pennsylvania Legislation
PENDING
Requires a dog that stays outside for more than 30 minutes during anytime of the day to have a shelter. Prohibits a dog from being outside for more than 15 consecutive minutes in severe weather.
Status: Introduced 5/28/2019
SB 188 – Safe Food and Safe Families Act
Prohibits a person from administering to an animal a non-therapeutic amount of penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, lincomycin, bacitracin or virginiamycin. Also prohibits a person from administering a non-therapeutic amount of any other antimicrobial agent designated by the Department of Health of the Commonwealth. A person may also not administer to an animal an antimicrobial agent for growth promotion.
Status: Introduced 2/1/2019
Close
Rhode Island Legislation
PENDING
Bans the sale of cosmetics that are developed or manufactured using animal testing.
Status: Introduced 2/25/2020
Establishes “The Rhode Island animal welfare advisory council,” which will advise the governor and the general assembly on matters relating to animal welfare. Exempts livestock and wildlife.
Status: Introduced 2/14/2020
PASSED
HB 7456 – Unlawful Confinement Of A Covered Animal
The bill prohibits the confinement of a covered animal in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around freely, lying down, standing up or fully extending its limbs. Egg farms have until 2026 to comply.
Pass Date: 7/2/2018
Would expand the meaning of unnecessary cruelty to one who willfully, intentionally, maliciously, recklessly and/or knowingly authorizes or permits that animal to be subjected to unnecessary torture, suffering or cruelty of any kind.
Pass Date: 7/11/2013
HB 8173 – Rhode Island Livestock Welfare and Care Standards Advisory Council Act of 2012
Would establish a livestock welfare and care standards advisory council that would review and evaluate laws and rules of the state applicable to the care and handling of livestock.
Pass Date: 6/21/2012
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow or veal calf in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around freely, lying down, standing up or fully extending its limbs.
Pass Date: 6/6/2012
FAILED
Prohibits the use of wild or exotic animals in traveling animal acts and sets forth the penalties for violation of such prohibition.
Status: Introduced 1/24/2019; Died in Committee
Defines secondary agricultural operations and provides that municipalities may limit and regulate secondary agricultural use but not prohibit such operations.
Status: Introduced 4/28/2017; Died in Chamber
HB 6023 – Unlawful Confinement Of A Covered Animal
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow, veal calf or egg-laying hen in an enclosure in a manner that prevents that animal from turning around freely, lying down, standing up or fully extending its limbs. If passed, would require all eggs produced or sold in the state must have a minimum space allowance of 144 square inches per chicken.
Status: Introduced 3/29/2017; Died in Chamber
HB 5605 – Unlawful Confinement Of A Covered Animal
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow, veal calf or egg-laying hen in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around freely, lying down, standing up or fully extending its limbs.
Status: Introduced 3/1/2017; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit a person from confining any gestating sow, veal calf, or egg-laying hen in an enclosure that prevents the animal from turning around fully, lying down, standing up or fully extending the animals limbs. Would allow the continued use of presently owned enclosures for egg-laying hens installed before 7/1/2016 that do not meet the space requirement of 216 inches of available floor space, but if those enclosures are retrofitted, replaced or modified with a new or used enclosure, that enclosure must meet that space requirement.
Status: Introduced 1/27/2016; Died in Committee
Would require a person charged with the care or custody of an animal to report concerns of animal abuse, neglect or abandonment to any local or state police department, animal control officials or officers of private organizations devoted to the humane treatment of animals, and shall be immune from suit by reason of making the report.
Status: Introduced 3/5/2015; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit a farmer, owner or operator from confining veal calves, egg-laying hens and gestating sows in an enclosure that prevents the animal from fulling extending its limbs without touching the sides of the enclosure.
Status: Introduced 2/12/2015; Died in Committee
Defines practicing veterinary medicine. A person shall be regarded as practicing veterinary medicine when he/she conducts routine vaccinations or testing of poultry or livestock for the purposes of disease control activity or when a person who advises with respect to or performs acts which are livestock management and animal husbandry practices that have been accepted and performed as required by the livestock welfare and care standards advisory council. Prescription drugs shall not be used except by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian, as provided by state and federal law.
Status: Introduced 2/11/2015; Died in Chamber
Would permit fishing in trout waters at any time of year without seasonal restriction.
Status: Introduced 1/22/2015; Died in Chamber
Would require all food produced with genetic engineering be labeled.
Status: Introduced 1/22/2015; Died in Chamber
Would require any food produced with genetic engineering be labeled.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2015; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit the use of battery cages for egg-laying hens.
Status: Introduced 1/29/2014; Died in Committee
HB 7768 – Animal Abuser Registry
Would create an animal abuser registry available to the public.
Status: Introduced 2/25/2010; Died in Chamber
HB 7769 – Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow, veal calf and egg-laying hen in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, turning around freely and fully extending its limbs.
Status: Introduced 2/25/2010; Died in Chamber
Close
South Carolina Legislation
PASSED
Provide it is unlawful to advertise, sell, label, or misrepresent as “meat” or “clean meat” all or part of a carcass that is cell-cultured meat/protein, or is not derived from harvested production livestock, poultry, fish, or crustaceans, to provide that this provision does not apply to plant-based meat substitutes, and to provide a penalty.
Pass Date: 6/5/2019
HR 3929 – Agriculture Animal Facilities Bill
A more expedited approval process for new or expanding poultry facilities or other animal agriculture facilities, except a swine facility. Only people living within one mile of the proposed facility may appeal the facility’s operating permit.
Pass Date: 3/12/2018
HB 4717 – South Carolina Farm Aid Fund
Would create the “South Carolina farm aid fund” to assist farmers who have suffered at least a forty percent loss of agricultural commodities as a result of the October 2015 flood.
Pass Date: 5/4/2016
SB 592 – Hunting of feral hogs, coyotes, and armadillos
Would provide that feral hogs, coyotes, and armadillos may be hunted at any time of the year under authority of and pursuant to the conditions contained in a depredation permit issued by the department and from the last day of February to the first day of July of that same year with any legal firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow when notice is given to the department, and to provide conditions for hunting these animals at night.
Pass Date: 6/9/2015
47-21-10 – Farm Animal, Crop Operation, and Research Facilities Protection Act
Would prohibit a person from: damaging or destroying an animal facility, an animal, or property in or on an animal facility with the intent to disrupt or damage the enterprise conducted at the animal facility; entering an animal facility, not then open to the public, with intent to commit an act prohibited by this section; remaining concealed, with intent to commit an act prohibited by this section; entering or remaining in an animal facility with the intent to disrupt or damage the enterprise conducted at the animal facility and the person had notice that the entry was forbidden; or received notice to depart but failed to do so.
Status: Effective 6/7/2012
FAILED
Would prohibit a person on a dog hunt to permit his dog to enter upon the land of another over which the person does not have hunting rights.
Status: Introduced 1/13/2015; Died in Committee
Would require that no animal in the care or custody of an animal shelter may be killed if a rescue group requests possession of the animal; all animal shelters that kill animals must maintain a registry of rescue groups willing to accept animals for the purposes of adoption and who have applied with the shelters to be notified; and at least two business days prior to the scheduled euthanasia of an animal, the shelter having possession of the animal shall provide notice to the rescue group of the scheduled euthanasia.
Status: Introduced 4/23/2013; Died in Committee
Close
South Dakota Legislation
PENDING
Supports trade negotiations to remove barriers to country of origin labeling.
Status: Engrossed 2/6/2020
PASSED
A food product shall be deemed to be misbranded if the product is labeled or branded in a false, deceptive, or misleading manner that intentionally misrepresents the product as a meat food product as defined in 39-5-6, a meat by-product as defined in 39-5-6, or as poultry. For the purposes of this title, the term, poultry, includes anything containing meat intended for or capable of use for human consumption, that is derived, in whole or in part, from any domesticated bird intended for human consumption.
Pass Date: 3/29/2019
Would require a producer engaged in producing and selling raw milk to obtain a permit from the Secretary of Agriculture.
Pass Date: 3/12/2015
The Legislature of South Dakota would oppose any attempt for any ballot initiative or acts by the Humane Society of the United States, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and other animal rights groups that would undermine the livelihood of agricultural producers.
Pass Date: 2/9/2012
Would support the establishment of USDA-inspected horse processing plants in the State of South Dakota.
Pass Date: 2/22/2008
Close
Tennessee Legislation
PENDING
Prohibits local governing bodies from adopting or continuing in effect any ordinance regarding the exhibition of livestock.
Status: Introduced 2/4/2020
SB 2020 – Tennessee Sustainable Agriculture Advancement Act
Enacts the “Tennessee Sustainable Agriculture Advancement Act” to define “sustainable agriculture,” require creation of an office of sustainable agriculture, require higher education institutions to provide educational programs and other assistance, and require the commissioner of agriculture to consider the impact of administrative action on sustainable agriculture.
Status: Introduced 1/29/2020
Prohibits misrepresenting a product as meat or poultry that is not removed from the carcass of slaughtered livestock or poultry.
Status: Introduced 1/30/2019
PASSED
SB 1204 – Tennessee Animal Abuser Registration Act
Would require the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to post a publicly accessible list on its web site of any person convicted of an animal abuse offense.
Pass Date: 5/20/2015
Would define agriculture to include entertainment activities that occur on land where farm products and nursery stock are produced; requires that the Tennessee Right to Farm Act be construed broadly to effectuate its purposes.
Pass Date: 4/1/2014
Expands the list of animal related practices that are exempt from veterinarian license requirements including the use of any manual procedure to test for pregnancy in bovines when performed by a farmer if the farmer meets certain qualifications.
Pass Date: 4/27/2010
FAILED
Prohibits misrepresenting a product as meat or poultry that is not removed from the carcass of slaughtered livestock or poultry
Status: Introduced 12/5/2018; Withdrawn 1/29/2019
HB 1218 – Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act
Would require food produced with genetic engineering sold in the state to be labeled.
Status: Failed 3/15/2016
Any person who intentionally accesses a nonpublic area of another’s premises and engages in an act that exceeds that person’s authority to enter those areas is liable to the owner or operator of the premises for any damages sustained that were caused by the person’s access. An act that exceeds a person’s authority to enter the nonpublic areas of another’s premises includes:
- An employee intentionally enters the nonpublic area of an employer’s premises for a reason other than intent of seeking or holding employment or doing business with the employer, and thereafter, without authorization, captures or removes the employer’s data, paper, records, or any other documents;
- An employee intentionally enters the nonpublic area of an employer’s premises for a reason other than intent of seeking or holding employment, or doing business with the employer, and thereafter, without authorization, records images or sound occurring within an employer’s premises;
- An employee knowingly places on the employer’s premises an unattended camera or electronic surveillance device and uses that camera or device to record images or data.
Status: Introduced 1/19/2016; Died in Chamber
Would allow a sheriff to authorize any society involved in the prevention of cruelty to animals located in the sheriff’s jurisdictional county to be able to make arrests in such county regarding cruelty to non-livestock animals.
Status: Introduced 2/12/2015; Died in Chamber
Would require a person who records animal cruelty committed against livestock to report such violation and submit any unedited photographs or video recordings to law enforcement authorities within 24 hours of the photograph’s or recording’s creation.
Status: Failed 4/17/2013; Vetoed 5/13/2013
Would require a person who records animal cruelty committed against livestock to report such violation and submit any unedited photographs or video recordings to law enforcement authorities within 24 hours of the photograph’s or recording’s creation.
Status: Introduced 2/13/2013; Died in Chamber
SB 894 – Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act of 2013
Would prohibit any misleading labeling of food produced with genetic engineering sold in the state.
Status: Introduced 1/13/2013; Died in Chamber
Would prohibit a person to apply for employment with the intent to cause economic damage to the employer by recording video or audio while on the premises of the employer and releasing such recordings to a third party. Would allow all recordings taken in violation to be confiscated and, after their use as evidence, destroyed.
Status: Introduced 1/26/2012; Died in Chamber
Close
Texas Legislation
PASSED
Would add a concentrated animal feeding operations to the list of facilities that drones are prohibited from flying over.
Pass Date: 6/15/2017
Would make a person with a fence that is insufficient who kills or wounds a head of cattle, horse, goat or sheep liable to the owner of the animal for damages.
Pass Date: 6/14/2013
Would require the Texas Animal Health Commission to conduct a study regarding the current risk level for bovine tuberculosis in certain states determined by the Commission to be infected or at high risk for bovine tuberculosis. By 9/1/2014, the Commission must submit a report of the findings to the Department of Agriculture and others listed.
Pass Date: 6/14/2013
FAILED
A person commits an offense if the person 1) intentionally releases, steals, destroys, or otherwise causes the loss of an animal or crop from an animal or crop facility without the consent of the owner or operator of the facility; 2) damages vandalizes or steals any property from the facility; 3) breaks and enters into the facility with the intent to destroy or alter records, data, materials, equipment, animals or crops; 4) knowingly obtains control by theft or deception or exerts unauthorized control over any materials, equipment, animals or crops of the facility for the purpose of depriving the owner or operator of the facility of those materials, equipment, animals or crops.
Status: Engrossed 5/7/2019; Died in Chamber
Relating to the advertising and labeling of certain meat food products.
Status: Introduced 3/7/2019; Died in Committee
Would amend Article 1, Section 34 of the Texas Constitution to include that people have the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, including the use of traditional methods, subject to laws and regulations to conserve and manage wildlife and preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Would also state that hunting and fishing are preferred methods of managing and controlling wildlife.
Status: Enrolled 5/20/2015; Died in Chamber
HB 334 – Relating to the establishment of the Texas Livestock Care Standards Advisory Committee
Would establish a 16-member Texas Livestock Care Standards Advisory Committee. The committee would be required to research and develop standards governing livestock and poultry care, food safety, local food availability, food affordability, and best farm management practices for animal well-being.
Status: Introduced 11/19/2010; Died in Committee
Close
Utah Legislation
PASSED
SB 93 – Agricultural Nuisance Amendments
Would require a plaintiff to file a nuisance lawsuit against an agricultural operation only if the property affected by the operation is located outside one-half mile of the source of the activity alleged to be the nuisance or if the action is filed more than one year after the establishment of the operation.
Pass Date: 3/21/2019
Would prohibit a person from intentionally, knowingly or recklessly chasing or otherwise disturbing the peace of livestock with a motor vehicle, dog or aircraft (such as a drone).
Pass Date: 3/21/2017
Would prohibit engaging in game fowl fighting.
Pass Date: 3/30/2015
HB 261 – Horse Tripping Amendments
Would require a venue that holds a horse event to report any incidents of horse tripping to the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Pass Date: 3/24/2015
HB 285 – Amends the Veterinary Practice Act
Amends the definition of practice of veterinary medicine to include dispensing any drug, medicine, treatment, method, or practice.
Pass Date: 3/25/2010
HB 155 – Agricultural Advisory Board and Livestock
Would expand the duties of the Utah Agricultural Advisory Board to include duties related to acceptable livestock husbandry practices.
Pass Date: 3/23/2010
FAILED
HB 187 – Agricultural Operation Interference
Would make a person guilty of agricultural operation interference if the person without consent from the owner of the agricultural operation, or the owner’s agent, knowingly or intentionally records an image of, or sound from, the agricultural operation by leaving a recording device on the agricultural operation; obtains access to an agricultural operation under false pretenses; applies for employment at an agricultural operation with the intent to record an image of, or sound from, the agricultural operation; knows, at the time that the person accepts employment at the agricultural operation, that the owner of the agricultural operation prohibits the employee from recording an image of, or sound from, the agricultural operation; and while employed at, and while present on, the agricultural operation, records an image of, or sound from, the agricultural operation; or without consent from the owner of the operation or the owner’s agent, knowingly or intentionally records an image of, or sound from, an agricultural operation while the person is committing criminal trespass on the agricultural operation.
The bill passed on March 7, 2012 and went into effect May 8, 2012, but was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in July 2017.
Status: Ruled Unconstitutional 7/8/2017
Would allow a producer who sells raw milk at a self-owned retail store to also offer pasteurized milk at the same location.
Status: Introduced 1/26/2015; Died in Chamber
Close
Vermont Legislation
PENDING
Amends the right-to-farm law to provide that a farm or farm operation shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance under one or both of the following: the farm or farm operation existed before a change in the land use or occupancy in proximity to the farm, and if before that change in land use or occupancy of the farm, the farm or farm operation would not have been a nuisance; or the farm or farm operation alleged to be a nuisance conforms to State and federal law.
Status: Introduced 1/15/2020
Prohibits the sale of a product labeled as meat, a meat food product, poultry, or a poultry product, or food when the product does not contain meat.
Status: Introduced 1/7/2020
Prohibits the sale of a food product labeled as milk or labeled as a dairy product unless the product conforms to the State definition of “milk” or “dairy product” or conforms to a federal standard of identity.
Status: Introduced 1/7/2020
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets to create a voluntary label for shell eggs sold in Vermont that were produced by domesticated egg-producing chickens in compliance with Vermont’s animal cruelty laws.
Status: Introduced 2/20/2019
Would allow a farmer who raised livestock to slaughter the livestock. Would also allow multiple persons to have an ownership interest in the livestock for slaughter.
Status: Introduced 2/19/2019
Requires livestock animals confined in enclosed areas to be provided adequate exercise. Also requires livestock to be provided adequate shelter, meaning allowing “six inches of clearance above the largest animal’s ears when the animal is standing in a normal position.”
Status: Introduced 2/15/2019
This bill proposes to clarify that cell-cultured meat is not meat for the purposes of selling and labeling meat under State law.
Status: Introduced 2/14/2019
Amends the right-to-farm law in Vermont to provide that no action for nuisance shall be brought against the owner or operator of a farm that is lawfully conducting agricultural activities.
Status: Introduced 2/14/2019
This bill proposes to clarify the definition of “milk” to mean the pure lacteal secretion of hooved animals. A product sold as milk that does not conform to the definition of “milk” would be an adulterated product subject to penalty by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
Status: Introduced 1/24/2019
PASSED
SB 160
An act relating to agricultural development.
Pass Date: 6/20/2019
HB 112
Would require food produced with genetic engineering to be labeled.
Pass Date: 5/8/2014
HB 52
Would amend the definition of “poultry product” to not include quail, pheasant and partridge.
Pass Date: 4/28/2011
SB 295 – Livestock Care Standards
Would establish the Livestock Care Standards Advisory Council to evaluate the laws of the state and provide policy recommendations regarding the care, handling, and well-being of livestock in the state.
Pass Date: 5/12/2010
FAILED
Would prohibit a farm owner, operator, or manager from knowingly confining a gestating sow in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around freely, lying down, standing up, or fully extending the limbs of the animal.
Status: Introduced 3/10/2015; Died in Committee
SB 22 – An act relating to docking the tail of a bovine
Would prohibit the practice of tail docking bovine unless the tail docking procedure is performed by a veterinarian in order to relieve pain or save the life of the bovine.
Status: Introduced 1/16/2015; Died in Committee
H 438 – An Act Relating To Prohibiting The Use Of Gestational Pig Crates
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around freely, lying down, standing up and fully extending its limbs.
Status: Introduced 3/1/2013; Died in Committee
SB 109 – An Act Relating To Docking The Tail Of A Horse Or Bovine
Would prohibit the practice of tail docking horse or bovine unless tail docking is performed by a veterinarian in order to relieve pain or to save the life of the animal.
Status: Introduced 2/14/2013; Died in Committee
Would prohibit a person from confining a gestating sow in an enclosure in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around freely, lying down, standing up and fully extending its limbs.
Status: Introduced 1/3/2012; Died in Committee
HB 367
Would require food produced with genetic engineering sold in the state of Vermont to be labeled as such.
Status: Introduced 3/8/2011; Died in Committee
SB 230 – An Act Relating To Humane Slaughter Of Livestock
Would require a representative from the Humane Society of the United States, Vermont Humane Society or similar organization to be present and observe when livestock are slaughtered and to report alleged violations of humane slaughter rules to the Secretary.
Status: Introduced 1/5/2010; Died in Committee
Close
Virginia Legislation
PENDING
Provides that outdoor tethering of an animal does not meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate shelter (i) unless the animal is safe from predators and well suited and well equipped to tolerate its environment or (ii) during a heat advisory or during the effective period for a severe weather warning. Exempts livestock.
Status: Engrossed 2/25/2020
PASSED
Would prohibit a person to rope, lasso, or otherwise obstruct or interfere with one or more legs of an equine in order to intentionally cause it to trip or fall for the purpose of engagement in a rodeo, contest, exhibition, entertainment, or sport unless such actions are in the practice of accepted animal husbandry or for the purpose of allowing veterinary care. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the dehorning of cattle conducted in a reasonable and customary manner.
Pass Date: 3/23/2015
Before seizing and impounding any agricultural animal, would require a humane investigator, law enforcement officer or animal control officer to contact the state veterinarian who shall recommend the most appropriate action for effecting the seizure and impoundment of the agricultural animal.
Pass Date: 3/28/2011
Provides that any veterinarian who makes a report of suspected animal cruelty or who provides records or information related to a report of suspected cruelty or testifies in any judicial proceeding arising from such report, records, or information shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability or administrative penalty or sanction on account of such report, records, information, or testimony, unless such veterinarian acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose.
Pass Date: 4/11/2010
FAILED
Provides that a tether meets the requirement that an animal be given adequate space if the tether is four times the length of the animal or 15 feet long, whichever is greater, and does not cause injury or pain or weigh more than one-tenth of the animal’s body weight. The bill provides that the walking of an animal on a leash by its owner shall not constitute tethering for the purpose of the definition of “adequate space.”
Status: Engrossed 1/21/2019; Died in Chamber
Provides that a food product shall be deemed misbranded if it purports to be, or is represented as, a meat food product while containing no meat, except to the extent that its label bears the word “imitation” followed by the name of the meat food product being imitated.
Status: Introduced 1/8/2019; Died in Committee
Would establish an animal cruelty registry organized and maintained by the Superintendent of State Police.
Status: Introduced 12/13/2013; Died in Committee
Close
Washington Legislation
PENDING
A food is considered misbranded if it is a meat analogue and (a) its labeling or advertisement utilizes an identifiable meat term; and (b) the labeling or advertisement does not clearly indicate that the product does not contain meat from an animal by using one or more of the following words or phrases or comparable qualifiers: “Plant-based,” “vegan,” “meatless,” “meat free,” “vegetarian,” “veggie,” “made from plants,” or “veggie-based.”
Status: Introduced 1/27/2020
A person may not advertise, sell, or offer for sale a cell-cultured meat product in the state of Washington. State funding may not be appropriated or expended to fund research or development of cell-cultured meat product.
Status: Introduced 1/23/2019
PASSED
The department of agriculture must conduct a study evaluating whether hemp and hemp products should be an allowable component of commercial feed in Washington. If the department determines that allowing some use of hemp in commercial feed is appropriate, then they must take the appropriate administrative actions to allow for commercial feed license holders to include hemp in their feed formulations.
Pass Date: 4/25/2015
HB 2049 – Concerning commercial egg layer operations
Would require all commercial egg layer operations to meet the 2017 edition of the United Egg Producers’ animal husbandry guidelines and cage-free housing guidelines.
Pass Date: 5/7/2019
Would ban new leases to aquaculture non-native net pen operations and prohibits the renewal of existing leases of aquaculture operation in Washington’s waters.
Pass Date: 3/7/2018
Would establish a certification program and timeline for commercial egg laying chicken operations with more than 3,000 laying hens to be in compliance with the American Humane Association standards.
Pass Date: 5/10/2011
FAILED
1130 – HSUS Ballot Initiative: Eggs
This measure would prohibit confining egg-laying hens, as defined, in stacked cages or cages that prevent hens from turning around freely, lying down, standing up, or fully extending their wings. It would also prohibit selling eggs produced by hens thus confined. The measure was backed by HSUS, ASPCA and Farm Sanctuary. It was dropped and did not appear on the ballot after an agreement was reached between HSUS and United Egg Producers.
Status: Dropped 7/2011
HB 1104 – Creating the crime of interference with agricultural production
Would make it a crime of interference with agricultural production if an individual knowingly is not employed by an agricultural production facility and enters by theft, force, threat, misrepresentation or trespass; obtains records of an agricultural production facility by force, threat, misrepresentation or trespass; obtains employment with an agricultural production facility by force, threat or misrepresentation with the intent to cause economic or physical injury to the facility’s operations, property, personnel or goodwill; enters an agricultural production facility that is not open to the public and without the owner’s written consent and makes video recordings of the agricultural production facility’s operations; or intentionally causes economic or physical injury to the operation.
Status: Introduced 1/12/2015; Died in Chamber
Would allow for an owner, the owner’s immediate family member, the agent of an owner, or the owner’s documented employee to kill a mammalian predator, regardless of state classification, without a permit or other form of permission to protect livestock.
Status: Introduced 1/18/2013; Died in Chamber
Would require inspections, specialized training and other enhanced workplace standards on dairy farms.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2016; Died in Chamber
Would create a Livestock Care Standards Board and authorize the board to adopt minimal standards regarding the care of livestock and poultry. Requires the state veterinarian must serve as the chair of the board and when making appointments to the board, the director must ensure that there are participating qualified experts for each major species represented in the livestock industry and at least two individuals who are considered to be consumer advocates.
Status: Introduced 1/24/2012; Died in Committee
Would require food offered for retail sale in the state that is produced with genetic engineering to be labeled by July 1, 2015.
Status: Introduced 1/17/2013; Died in Committee
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West Virginia Legislation
PENDING
Any person who willfully trespasses on the property of another which constitutes an animal or crop facility with the intent to commit larceny, destroy property, or disrupt the operation of the facility is guilty of willful trespass upon an animal or crop facility.
Status: Engrossed 2/17/2020
Provides protections to owners of livestock and other domestic animals when the animals trespass on property of another.
Status: Introduced 1/8/2020
PASSED
Would protect the right to farm and protect agricultural operations from nuisance litigation if the facility has been in operation for more than one year.
Pass Date: 3/9/2019
SB 237 – Captive Cervid Farming Act
Would regulate captive cervid farming as an agricultural enterprise.
Pass Date: 4/15/2015
Allows the Livestock Care Standards Board to establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock, maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food, and protect West Virginia farms and families.
Pass Date: 5/15/2013
HB 4201 – Creating the Livestock Care Standards Board
Would create a Livestock Care Standards Board to prescribe standards for livestock care and well-being.
Pass Date: 4/22/2010
FAILED
Would authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to livestock care standards.
Status: Introduced 2/8/2017; Died in Committee
Would authorize the Department of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Livestock Care Standards.
Status: Introduced 1/18/2016; Died in Committee
Would authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the inspection of meat and poultry.
Status: Introduced 1/26/2015; Died in Committee
Would permit the Livestock Care Board to establish standards for equine boarding facilities.
Status: Introduced 1/14/2015; Died in Committee
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Wisconsin Legislation
PENDING
Prohibits a person from labeling a food product as, or selling or offering for sale a food product that is labeled as, any type of meat product or “meat” unless the food product is derived from an edible part of the flesh of an animal or any part of an insect and does not include cultured animal tissue that is produced from animal cell cultures.
Status: Engrossed 2/20/2020
FAILED
Clarifies that a person abandons an animal if the person fails to make arrangements for the animal’s proper care, sustenance, and shelter. The bill clarifies that a person must provide an animal with adequate food and water. However, the bill specifies that the prohibition against treating an animal cruelly does not impose requirements or standards more stringent than normally accepted animal husbandry practices for farm animals and does not impose requirements for providing food and water to farm animals that exceed normally accepted animal husbandry practices.
Status: Failed 4/8/2014
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Wyoming Legislation
PASSED
Prohibits misrepresenting a product as meat that is not derived from harvested production livestock or poultry; requiring rule making; and providing for effective dates.
Pass Date: 2/26/2019
Prohibits misrepresenting a product as meat that is not derived from harvested production livestock or poultry.
Pass Date: 2/26/2019
Would require the state veterinarian to keep an official record of all livestock animals tested for tuberculosis and submit a copy of the record to state and federal animal health officials.
Pass Date: 2/12/2013
FAILED
SF 12 – Trespassing to collect data
A person is guilty of trespassing to collect resource data if the person enters onto the land without an ownership interest in the real property or, statutory, contractual or other legal authorization to enter or access the land to collect resource data; or written or verbal permission of the owner, lessee or agent of the owner.
In 2016, an amendment (SB76) was added which would make an individual guilty of civil trespass if that person enters onto private land for the purpose of collecting resource data if they do not have an ownership interest in the real property, authorization to enter the private land to collect the resource data; or the written or verbal permission of the owner, lessee or agent of the owner to enter.
The state of Wyoming’s district court ruled that Senate File 12 (the Data Trespass Law) is unconstitutional because it is “in violation of the First Amendment.” This lawsuit was initiated by Western Watersheds Project, National Press Photographers Association and Natural Resources Defense Council.
Status: Passed 3/10/2015; Overturned 10/29/2018
Amending the crimes of cruelty to animals and aggravated cruelty to animals.
Status: Introduced 1/25/2017; Died in Chamber
Would make a person (other than a law enforcement officer) guilty of interference with an agricultural operation if the person: knowingly or intentionally records an image of or sound from the operation by concealing or placing a recording device on the premises of the operation without the consent of the owner or manager; obtains access to the operation under false pretenses; while employed, records an image or sound if the person knew at the time they accepted employment that the owner prohibited recording an image or sound from the operation.
Would require any person to report concerns of animal cruelty within 48 hours to any peace officer employed with local government.
Status: Engrossed 2/5/2013; Died in Chamber
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Federal Legislation
PENDING
Food Safety Modernization for Innovative Technologies Act
This bill would give USDA and FDA legal oversight of lab-grown meat.
Status: Introduced: 12/16/2019
This bill was introduced by Senator Cory Booker on 12/16/2019. This bill will place a moratorium on large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO’s), “strengthen” the Packers and Stockyards Act, and to require country origin labeling on beef, pork, and dairy products.
According to this bill, after enactment no “large” CAFO (defined in the text for each industry) will be allowed to commence or expand operations. No “large” CAFO may continue to operate as a “large” CAFO after January 1, 2040.
This bill will also provide debt forgiveness and transitional assistance for AFO (animal feed operation) farmers that decide to transition to other activities.
Status: Introduced 12/16/2019
Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2019
This bill grants authority to FDA to investigate CAFOs that have been implicated in food poisoning outbreaks.
Status: Introduced 11/21/2019
HR 4919 – Responsible and Efficient Agriculture Destination Act
A bill to amend drivers transporting agriculture commodities within a 150 air-mile radius from the source or destination of the agricultural commodities.
Status: Introduced 10/30/19
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure that consumers can make informed decisions in choosing between meat products such as beef and imitation meat products, and for other purposes.
Status: Introduced 10/28/2019
S2107 – Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019
A bill to increase the number of CBP Agriculture Specialists and support staff in the Office of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and for other purposes.
Status: Passed in the Senate 10/24/2019. House consideration is next.
HR 4269 – Climate Stewardship Act of 2019
To provide incentives for agricultural producers to carry out climate stewardship practices, to provide for increased reforestation across the United States, to establish the Coastal and Estuary Resilience Grant Program, and for other purposes.
Status: Introduced 09/10/2019
HB 97 – Rescuing Animals With Rewards Act
This bill modifies the Department of State rewards program to authorize rewards to individuals who furnish information that assists in the prevention or identification of crimes related to wildlife trafficking.
Status: Engrossed 7/16/2019
HR 2863 – Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act
Would amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling performances. This act would prohibit the exhibition of exotic animals in traveling performances unless under specified conditions and restrict and or prohibit the breeding of exotic animals
Status: Introduced 5/21/2019
HB 2460 – Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act
To require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group to study regulatory and legislative improvements for the livestock, insect, and agricultural commodities transport industries, and for other purposes.
Status: Introduced 5/1/2019
Cell-Cultured Meat and Poultry Regulation Act of 2019
Clarifies oversight and jurisdiction over the regulation, inspection, and labeling of cell-cultured meat and poultry, and for other purposes.
Status: Introduced 4/4/2019
S 935 – Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2019
To prohibit certain practices relating to certain commodity promotion programs, to require greater transparency by those programs.
Status: Introduced 3/28/2019
HR 1754 – Horse Racing Integrity Act of 2019
This bill establishes the Horse racing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority as an independent, private non-profit corporation with responsibility for developing and administering an anti-doping and medication control program for (1) Thoroughbred, Quarter, and Standard bred horses that participate in horse races; and (2) the personnel engaged in the care, training, or racing of such horses
Status: Introduced 3/14/2019
HB 1380 – Big Cat Public Safety Act
To amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to clarify provisions enacted by the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, to further the conservation of certain wildlife species.
Status: Introduced 2/26/2019
HB 693 – PAST Act U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings Memorial Prevent All Soring Tactics Act
PAST Act U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings Memorial Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2019 This bill addresses the practice of soring horses. The soring of horses includes various actions taken on horses’ limbs to produce higher gaits that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness. Specifically, the bill expands soring regulation and enforcement at horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions, including by establishing a new system for inspecting horses for soring. In addition, the bill increases penalties for violations.
Status: Introduced 1/22/2019
HB 487 – Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act
To require the Secretary of Transportation to modify provisions relating to hours of service requirements with respect to transportation of certain live animals, and for other purposes.
Status: Introduced 1/10/2019
PASSED
HR 724 – PACT Act
The President has passed a bill that makes animal cruelty a federal felony.
Pass date: 11/26/2019
HR 2 – Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018
This bill is commonly known as the Farm Bill.
Pass Date: 12/20/2018
HB 1238 – Securing our Agriculture and Food Act
Would ensure food, agriculture and animal and human health sectors receive attention and are integrated into the Department of Homeland Security domestic preparedness policy initiatives.
Pass Date: 6/30/2017
TPP – Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement
The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement was concluded on Oct. 5, 2015. The goal of the negotiations was to reach a comprehensive, high-standard agreement that will improve the conditions of trade in the region and boost economic activity in all participating countries.
Status: President signed an executive order 1/23/2017
HR 2642 – Agricultural Act of 2014
An act to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018.
Pass Date: 2/7/2014
SB 544 – Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992
Would prohibit a person from intentionally physically disrupting the functioning of an animal enterprise by intentionally stealing, damaging, or causing the loss of enterprise property, including animals and records (or conspiring to do so).
Pass Date: 8/4/1992
FAILED
Senate Joint Resolution 8 – Green New Deal
This joint resolution declares that the government has a duty to create a Green New Deal with the goals of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions; establishing millions of high-wage jobs and ensuring economic security for all; investing in infrastructure and industry; securing clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, healthy food, access to nature, and a sustainable environment for all; and promoting justice and equality.
Status: Cloture 3/26/2019
S 3113 – Dairy Business Innovation Act 2018
This bill aims to promote dairy product innovation, including in specialty cheese, and value-added dairy product development for economic benefit of United States dairy farmers and their communities through providing technical assistance and grants.
Status: Introduced 6/21/2018; Died in Committee
HR 5462 – Dairy Risk Management Act of 2018
An act to amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to provide support for dairy producers.
Status: Introduced 4/10/2018; Died in Committee
HR 5275 – Exempting Farms From Reporting Emissions
To amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide an exemption from certain notice requirements and penalties for air emissions from animal waste at farms.
Status: Introduced 3/14/2018; Died in Committee
S 2555 – Dairy Farm Sustainability Act of 2018
The purpose of this act is to create a “minimum milk price” to help dairy farmers continue operating through times of low milk prices. The bill proposes the “minimum milk price” be set to $23.34 per hundredweight, which would be adjusted for inflation for each half of each calendar year.
Status: Introduced 3/14/2018; Died in Committee
HR 3599 / HR 4879 – Protect Interstate Commerce Act
States or local government cannot impose standards on agriculture products that are offered in multiple states if the product is produced in another state and the standard adds to the standards already in place
Status: Introduced 7/28/2017; Died in Committee
HR 3282 – ELD Extension Act of 2017
Would delay the electronic logging device mandate for livestock haulers set to go into effect in December until next year.
Status: Introduced 07/18/2017; Died in Committee
HR 3108 – Protecting Honest Fishermen Act of 2017
Would require all seafood sold in the United States to be traceable from ocean to plate to combat seafood fraud and illegal fishing.
Status: Introduced 6/29/2017; Died in Committee
HB 2930- Drone Innovation Act of 2017
Would develop a civil unmanned aircraft policy framework and a pilot program.
Status: Introduced 6/16/2017; Died in Committee
HR 2887 – No Regulation Without Representation Act of 2017
Would prevent states from imposing a tax or regulatory burdens on businesses that are not physically present in the state. Prohibited activities include telling an out-of-state business how to make or dispose of its products, as well as imposing on it income tax or sales tax collection burdens.
Status: Introduced 6/12/2017; Died in Committee
HB 2722 – SWINE Act
The Swine Waste Infrastructure and Natural Environment (SWINE) Act would establish a program to certify environmentally sustainable swine water disposal technologies that eliminate animal discharge into surface waters and groundwater through direct dishcarge, seepage or runoff.
Status: Introduced 5/25/2017; Died in Committee
SB 1272 – Drone Federalism Act of 2017
Would preserve the authority of state, tribal, and local governments to issue reasonable restrictions on the time, manner, and place of drone operations within 200 feet of the ground or a structure. These could include speed limits, local no-fly zones, temporary restrictions, and prohibitions on reckless or drunk operators, for example. The bill also reaffirms that the federal government will respect private property rights to the airspace in the immediate reaches above a property, including at least the first 200 feet.
Status: Introduced 5/25/2017; Died in Committee
HR 1752 – Voluntary Checkoff Program Participation Act
Would prohibit mandatory or compulsory checkoff programs.
Status: Introduced 3/28/2017; Died in Committee
HR 1753 – Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2017
This bill would establish restrictions and requirements for checkoff programs, which are programs overseen by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote and provide research and information for a particular agricultural commodity without reference to specific producers or brands. The bill prohibits boards established to carry out a checkoff program or a USDA order issued under a checkoff program from entering into a contract or agreement to carry out program activities with a party that engages in activities to influence any government policy or action that relates to agriculture.
This bill is supported by the Humane Society of the United States.
Status: Introduced 3/28/2017; Died in Committee
HR 1759 – Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act
Would prohibit the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling shows in the United States.
Status: Introduced 3/28/2017; Died in Committee
HR 1587 – Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2017
Would make it unlawful to administer (including by means of animal feed) a medically important antimicrobial to a food-producing animal for non-routine disease control unless there is a significant risk that a disease or infection present on the premises will be transmitted to the food-producing animal; the administration of the antimicrobial is necessary to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of the disease or infection; the antimicrobial is administered for the shortest duration possible to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission.
Status: Introduced 3/16/2017; Died in Committee
S 629 – Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act of 2017
Would amend the Federal Food, Drugs, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medically important antimicrobials approved for use in the prevention, control, and treatment of animal diseases, in order to minimize the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Status: Introduced 3/14/2017; Died in Committee
HR 1494 – PACT Act
Would empower the FBI and U.S. Attorneys to prosecute animal abuse cases that cross state lines, affect interstate commerce or occur on federal property.
Status: Introduced 3/10/2017; Died in Committee
HR 1368 / S 503 – Animal Welfare Accountability and Transparency Act
Would require the Secretary of Agriculture to make publicly available certain regulatory records relating to the administration of the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act.
Status: Introduced 3/6/2017; Died in Committee
HR 1105 – Stop WOTUS Act
Would repeal the Waters of the United States rule.
Status: Introduced 2/16/2017; Died in Committee
Would terminate the Environmental Protection Agency on 12/31/2018.
Status: Introduced 2/3/2017; Died in Committee
HR 816 – Federal Accountability in Chemical Testing (FACT) Act
Would amend the ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 to require reporting of animal use data by species, number, and test type for toxicological testing conducted, supported, or required by, or submitted to, each Federal agency listed. Federal agencies include Department of Agriculture and any other agency that develops, or employs tests or test data using animals, or regulates on the basis of the use of animals in toxicity testing.
Status: Introduced 2/2/2017; Died in Committee
Would require FDA to enforce existing food labeling standards and prevent misbranded plant-based imitators from appropriating federally defined terms on their labels.
Related to S 130 DAIRY PRIDE Act (Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese To Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday) which seeks to require enforcement against misbranding milk alternatives.
Status: Introduced 1/31/2017; Died in Committee
HR 5 – Regulatory Accountability Act
Would reform the process by which Federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents, to clarify the nature of judicial review of agency interpretations, to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes.
Status: Passed in House 1/11/2017; Died in Committee
HR 6342 – Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act
Would amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling performances.
Status: Introduced 11/7/2016; Died in Committee
HR 5542 – Farm Protection Act of 2014
Amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to require the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to extend: (1) the term and any due date of a marketing assistance loan, and (2) the due date for repayment of farm ownership, operating, or emergency loans. Requires the extensions in cases where a farmer has sold, transferred, or delivered the commodity subject to the loan to a purchaser who has filed for bankruptcy prior to payment. Provides that the extensions shall last until after the bankruptcy case is closed or dismissed. Suspends the accrual of interest on the loans during the extension period.
Status: Introduced 9/18/2015; Died in Committee
HR 1599 – Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015
The FDA must allow, but not require, genetically engineered food to be labeled. This would preempt any state authority over genetically engineered labeling in favor of a voluntary National Genetically Engineered Food Certification Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Status: Engrossed 7/24/2015; Died in Committee
HR 2858 – Humane Cosmetics Act
This bill prohibits testing cosmetics on animals.
Status: Introduced 6/23/2015; Died in Committee
HR 2393 – Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015
Would amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to repeal country of origin labeling requirements for beef, pork, and chicken.
Status: Introduced 5/18/2015; Died
HB 1552 – Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2015
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require an applicant for approval of a new animal drug that is a medically important antimicrobial to demonstrate that there is a reasonable certainty of no harm to human health from antimicrobial resistance attributable to the non-therapeutic use of the drug.
Status: Introduced 3/23/2015; Died in Committee
SB 621 – Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act of 2015
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration to refuse a new animal drug application if the drug is a medically important antimicrobial (used to treat humans) and the applicant fails to demonstrate that the drug meets specified criteria for use in animals.
Status: Introduced 3/2/2015; Died in Committee
SB 511 – Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the sale of food that has been genetically engineered or contains genetically engineered ingredients, unless that information is clearly disclosed.
Status: Introduced 2/12/2015; Died in Committee
This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to apply standards for humane treatment to farm animals at federal research or laboratory animal facilities.
Status: Introduced 2/4/2015; Died in Committee
HR 687 – Protect Interstate Commerce Act
Would prohibit a state or local government from imposing a standard or condition on the production or manufacture of agricultural products sold or offered for sale in interstate commerce if: (1) the production or manufacture occurs in another state, and (2) the standard or condition adds to standards or conditions applicable under federal law and the laws of the state or locality in which the production or manufacture occurs.
Status: Introduced 2/3/2015; Died in Committee
SB 287 – Safe Food Act of 2015
This bill establishes the Food Safety Administration (FSA) as an independent agency to administer and enforce food safety laws.
Status: Introduced 1/28/2015; Died in Committee
S 2421 – Food for Peace Reform Act of 2014
Would establish the Food for Peace program in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Status: Introduced 6/3/2014; Died in Committee
HR 3147 – Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2013
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to deem misbranded any food intended for human consumption, offered for sale, and otherwise required to bear nutrition labeling, unless its principal display panel bears summary nutrition information reflecting the overall nutritional value of the food or specified ingredients, and does not contain any summary nutritional information in addition to or inconsistent with the information required by such Act.
Status: Introduced 9/18/2013; Died in Committee
S 1343 – Farmer Identity Protection Act
Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or any EPA contractor or cooperator, from disclosing the information of any owner, operator, or employee of a livestock operation provided to EPA by a livestock producer or a state agency in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) or any other law, including: (1) names; (2) telephone numbers; (3) e-mail addresses; (4) physical addresses; (5) global positioning system coordinates; or (6) other information regarding the location of the owner, operator, livestock, or employee.
Status: Introduced 7/23/2013; Died in Committee
HR 2498 – Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013
Would reauthorize agricultural programs through 2018.
Status: Introduced 6/25/2013; Died in Committee
HR 1947 – Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013
Would provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018.
Status: Introduced 5/13/2013; Died in Chamber
HR 1932 – Farm Program Integrity Act of 2013
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish a per farm cap of $50,000 on commodity program benefits and $75,000 on marketing loan program benefits.
Status: Introduced 5/9/2013; Died in Committee
HR 820 – Delivering Antimicrobial Transparency in Animals Act of 2013
Requires live poultry dealers, swine contractors, or feed lot operators who purchase, contract, or manufacture animal feed in final formulation bearing or containing a new animal drug with an antimicrobial active ingredient to report annually to the Secretary information about such ingredient by food-producing animal for which the new animal drug is approved and, if applicable, by production class of the animal.
Status: Introduced 2/26/2013; Died in Committee
Would amend the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to make it unlawful for a packer to own, feed or control livestock intended for slaughter.
Status: Introduced 3/28/2012; Died in Committee
HR 3798 – Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012
Would provide for a uniform national standard for the housing and treatment of egg-laying hens.
Status: Introduced 1/23/2012; Died in Committee
HR 3704 – Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act
Amends the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to promulgate regulations providing for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of non-ambulatory livestock by specified entities, including a requirement that non ambulatory livestock be humanely euthanized.
Status: Introduced 12/6/2011; Died in Committee
HR 2966 – American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011
Amends the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption.
Status: Introduced 9/19/2011; Died in Committee
HR 965 – Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2011
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deny an application for a new animal drug that is a critical antimicrobial animal drug unless the applicant demonstrates that there is a reasonably certainty of no harm to human health due to the development of antimicrobial resistance attributable to the non therapeutic use of the drug.
Status: Introduced 3/9/2011; Died in Committee
HR 4733 – Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act
Would prohibit a federal agency from purchasing any food product derived from a gestating sow, a calf raised for veal, or an egg-laying hen used or intended for use in food production unless that animal, during the entire period covered by that definition, was provided adequate space to stand up, lie down, turn around freely, and fully extend all limbs.
Status: Introduced 3/2/2010; Died in Committee
HR 3270 – Farm Animal and Research Facilities Protection Act of 1989
Would prohibit a person, without the consent of the owner from acquiring control over an animal facility, an animal from an animal facility, or other property from an animal facility, with the intent to deprive the owner of such facility, animal, or property and to disrupt or damage the enterprise conducted at the animal facility; damaging or destroying an animal facility or any animal or property in or on an animal facility.
Status: Introduced 9/13/1989; Died in Committee
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