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Current Issues

Federal Legislation:
 
 
 
H.R. 1018: To amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros, and for other purposes.
 
American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act:
 

State Legislation related to Unwanted Horses, Processing, etc:

 * Arizona (SCM 1001)

This is a resolution urging Congress to oppose federal legislation interfering with a state's ability to direct the transport or processing of horses. Status – One reading in the senate on January 29. 
 
 
* Arkansas (HCR 1004)

Requesting the Arkansas Congressional delegation and the Congress of the United States to support horse processing facilities. Status - Correctly enrolled and transmitted to the governor's office – April 3. 

 
* Kansas (HCR 5004)
 
This is a resolution urging Congress to oppose federal legislation interfering with a state's ability to direct the transport or processing of horses.  Status – Last Action - 02/17/2009 H CR: Be adopted as amendment by Agriculture and Natural Resources.
 
 
* Minnesota (SF 133)

This is a resolutionurging Congress to oppose federal legislation interfering with the ability of the state to direct the transport or processing of horses. Status – Passed the Senate on May 15 and is now in the House. 

 
* North Dakota (HB 1496)
 
North Dakota appropriated $50,000 to fund a feasibility study to determine if any existing facilities could be converted into an equine processing facility and to determine the nature and scope of existing and potential markets for equine meat and other byproducts. BILL PASSED – Signed by the Gov. on April 24. 
 
 
*South Dakota (SCR 2) 
 
This is a resolution urging the reinstatement and funding of a federal inspection program governing horse slaughter and euthanasia facilities. BILL PASSED – February 5. 
 
 
* Utah (HJR 7) 
 
This is a joint resolution of the Legislature urging Congress to oppose federal legislation that would interfere with a state's authority to direct the transport or processing of horses. BILL PASSED – February 17. 
 
 
* Wyoming (HJR 8) 
 
This is a resolution opposing federal legislation which interferes with a state's ability to direct the transport or processing of horses. BILL PASSED – March 3. 
 
 
* Idaho (HJM 005)

This is a resolution urging Congress to oppose federal legislation that interferes with a state's ability to direct the transport or processing of horses. Status – Passed the House – March 23. 

 
* Illinois (HB 0583)

Amends the Illinois Horse Meat Act. Restores language that exempted certain types of horse meat from regulation under the Act. Repeals a provision that prohibits the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Amends the Animals Intended for Food Act. Expands the definition of "animal" to include "horses, mules, or other equidae." Amends the Illinois Equine Infectious Anemia Control Act. Allows equidae more than 12 months of age to enter the State for immediate slaughter without a certificate of veterinary inspection. Requires equidae entering the State for immediate slaughter to be accompanied by a consignment direct to slaughter at an approved equine slaughtering establishment. Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Creates an exemption from the general prohibition against selling, offering to sell, leading, riding, transporting or driving on any public way any equidae that, because of debility, disease, lameness or any other cause, could not be worked in this State. Deletes a provision that prohibited injured equidae from being sent directly to a slaughter facility. Amends the Humane Slaughter of Livestock Act. Deletes a provision in the definition of the term "livestock" that excludes "horses, mules or other equidae to be used in and for the preparation of meat or meat products for consumption by human beings." Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority. Status – Re-referred to the Rules Committee – April 3. 
 
 
* Missouri
 
(HCR 19)

This is a resolution urging Congress to oppose federal legislation that interferes with a state's ability to direct the transport or processing of horses. Status – Passed out of the House – April 7.

(SCR 8)

This is a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to support the continuation of horse processing in the United States. Status – Passed out of the Senate – May 5. 

 
* Montana
 
(HB 418) 
 
Montana HB 418 became law after Gov. Brian Schweitzer did not veto it. The measure allows investment in horse slaughterhouses in Montana, limits court injunctions that would stop or delay construction on environmental and other grounds, and awards attorney and court fees to plaintiffs in cases that courts find as harassing or without merit. Gov. Schweitzer earlier vetoed the limits on legal action, but both houses voted overwhelmingly in favor of the original legislation. Bill sponsor Rep. Ed Butcher said that the governor's amendments would make the bill "an empty shell because nobody's going to invest five to six million in a business in Montana if they're going to be harassed." He also stated that three communities have contacted him to express their interest in a slaughterhouse. Lawmakers and the governor received a flood of letters, e-mails and telephone messages from across the country, both in support and against the bill. BILL PASSED – May 4. 

Related Article:

Montana Slaughter Law Could Face Challenges
 
 (HB 655) 
 
Montana Gov. Schweitzer signed into law HB 655, allowing a horse owner to surrender ownership of a horse to the state Department of Livestock at a licensed livestock market, if the owner is unable to provide food and water to sustain the animal's normal health. BILL PASSED – Signed by Gov. April 28.

Additional Resources:
Frequently Asked Questions About Unwanted Horses
 
State Legislation:
 
Equine Dentistry
Equine dental procedures performed by non-veterinarians is a legislative issue that is being pursued in several states.  Please use the reference article, "Why Equine Veterinarians are Uniquely Qualified to Provide Dental Care to Horses," to educate your clients and the lawmakers in your area.
 
 
 
Arizona:
 
SB 1425: would change the training requirements for certification of equine dental practitioners.
 
Arizona House Bill 2178: Rep. Bill Konopnicki's Arizona House Bill 2178 would require the state's Department of Agriculture to create a list of the states "approved equine-rescue facilities and to make that information available on its Web site and in its offices.
 
 
Connecticut:
 
HB 5190: would require veterinarians to obtain written informed consent acknowledging all risks prior to performing a surgical procedure.
 
 
Georgia:  
 
HB 62 and HB 234: would amend and clarify the requirements for the state's veterinary loan forgiveness program.
 
 
Kentucky:
 
SB 176:  A proposed Kentucky law would take the inspection of walking-horse shows out of the hands of private groups and impose new, stiff penalties on those who abuse horses. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, would mandate inspection by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture of all walking-horse competitions and sales. The shows are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but federal inspectors attend less than 10 percent of all shows annually across the country. Instead, most are inspected by people hired by the horse groups that sanction the shows. 
 
 
Illinois:
 
HB 3643: The bill would create the Equine Welfare Act, which is the same as applicable provisions of the Humane Care for Animals Act.
 
HB 364: would establish loan forgiveness programs for veterinarians practicing in shortage areas.
 
Montana:
 
HB 418:  This bill is to encourage private investor horse slaughter plant development in the state. The bill's author says the measure is intended to both create jobs in Montana, and address the state's economy-driven unwanted horse problem.  Sponsored by Rep. Edward B. Butcher, HB 418 prohibits state courts from granting injunctions designed to stop or delay construction of horse slaughter or processing facilities based on permit or licensing challenges or on environmental grounds. The measure, now before the state's House Agriculture Committee, also requires individuals or groups challenging building permits to submit a surety bond representing 20% of the value of the facility's estimated building costs. The bill awards attorney and court fees to plaintiffs in cases District Courts deem harassing or without merit.   
 
 
New Hampshire:  
 
HB 427: would require municipalities to license all equines, four months old or over, with a rabies vaccine verification.
 
 
New Jersey:
 
SB 2723: The bill excludes certain stable stall rentals from sales and use tax imposition and provides sales and use tax exemption for sales of equine-related services.
 
 
North Dakota:  
 
HB 1496:   This bill, seeks $75,000 from the state agriculture department's research fund to study whether current North Dakota law supports processing plant development             
 
 
Oregon:
 
HB 2574:  would establish loan forgiveness programs for veterinarians practicing in shortage areas.
 
 
South Dakota:                                        
 
HB 1181: would establish loan forgiveness programs for veterinarians practicing in shortage areas.
 
Utah:
 
HJR 7: This joint resolution of the Legislature urges Congress to oppose federal legislation that 10 would interfere with a state's authority to direct the transport or processing of horses.
 
 
Wyoming:
 
HJR 8: This is a joint resolution urging Congress to oppose federal legislation that interferes with a state's ability to direct the transport or processing of horses.
 
Additional Resources:
 
 

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