Tag: 111th

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 2010

State and Federal Legislation
111th U.S. Congress (2009—2010)

DATE VENUE ACTIVITY RESULT
January 2010 Missouri Jim Viebrock, R-Republic, sponsors H.B. 1747, aimed at bypassing a federal ban on meat inspectors working in horse slaughtering plants by getting processors to pay for the inspections. Inconclusive.
January 2010 South Dakota Jan 14: H.C.R No. 1003 — SD State House of Representatives urges U.S. Congress and the USDA to reinstate and fully fund USDA’s inspection program for horse euthanasia and horse slaughter facilities. H.C.R. 1003 passes Jan. 22, 2010.
January 2010 Canada – EU Canada to comply with tight new regulations imposed by the EU requiring documentation of medications received by horses bound for slaughter. Aimed at eliminating toxic horsemeat consumed in European countries. Effective 31 July, 2010.
February 2010 California Feb 10: Bill SJR is introduced to memorialize Congress to support federal legislation to protect American horses from slaughter for human consumption. Success.
February 2010 Idaho Feb 15: S.J.M 104 is introduced to the senate urging Congress to oppose federal legislation that interferes with a state’s ability to direct the transport or processing of horses. Idaho joins other states opposing federal bill H.R. 503.
March 2010 South Dakota March 02: South Dakota passes Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4 (S.C.R 4) urging the reinstatement and funding of federal inspection programs governing equine slaughter and processing facilities. Resolution also urges Congress to defeat HR503/SB 727. Inconclusive.
March 2010 Minnesota Mar 08: Bill SF0133, urging Congress to oppose federal legislation interfering with a state’s ability to direct the transport or processing of horses passed by Committee and goes into second reading Minnesota joins other states opposing federal bill H.R. 503.
March 2010 Wyoming Mar 09: Wyoming Gov. Freudenthal signs H.B. 122 into law. Sponsored by Sue “Slaughterhouse” Wallis, the law allows State livestock authorities to slaughter abandoned horses and sell their meat to prisons and other State institutions. The slaughter of horses becomes legal in Wyoming.
March 2010 Illinois Mar 11: State Representative Jim Sacia (R – Freeport) pulls bill H.B. 583 to legalize horse slaughter from the agenda for this legislative session due to lack of support. No support to return horse slaughter to Illinois.
March 2010 Idaho Mar 18: S.B 1316, sponsored by Rep.Carlos Bilbao And Rep. Tom Trail passes in the House. This new law exempts the slaughter of horses from animal cruelty laws. Voted 59-1 in favor.
April 2010 Missouri Apr 01: Missouri House passes H.B. 1747 (now S.B. 795), sponsored by Rep. Jim Viebrock, designed to allow the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Voted 91-61 in favor.
April 2010 111th Congress 2nd Session April 02: The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act is re-introduced in the House as H.R. 503 by Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Dan Burton (R-IN). Senate version introduced by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) as S.B. 727. See December 2010.
April 2010 Tennessee Apr 07: After stalling in 2009, State Rep. Frank S. Niceley’s pro-horse slaughter bill, H.B. 1428 as amended, (S.B. 1898 in the Tennessee Senate) is once again advancing in the legislature. The bill as amended would establish a program for the “licensure, licensure renewal, permitting, inspection, and regulation of equine slaughter and processing facilities in Tennessee.”
April 2010 Kentucky Apr 14: Gov. Steve Beshear signs H.B. 398 into law. The fast tracked new law creates a board named for the openly pro-horse slaughter organization, Equine Health and Welfare Alliance.
April 2010 Tennessee Apr 27: H.B. 1428 withdrawn by Niceley following a hearing before the full House Finance, Ways and Means. This type of legislation is dead for the current session.
May 2010 Missouri May 05: HB 1747, a bill that would establish horse slaughter plant operations and meat inspection regulations was tabled in a Senate committee. However, language from that bill was later incorporated into SB 795, an omnibus agriculture bill. Members of a joint House and Senate Conference Committee later stripped the horse processing language from that bill. See Missouri, May 10th.
May 2010 Tennessee May 06: Tennessee Speaker Kent Williams makes the motion to send H.B.1428 to summer study in Finance, Ways and Means. To be determined.
May 2010 Colorado May 07: Colorado House of Representatives approves S.B. 139 allowing taxpayers to donate a portion of their tax dollars to the pro-slaughter Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance. Voted 42-23 in favor.
May 2010 Missouri May 10: The pro-horse slaughter provisions from Missouri H.B. 1747, which were sneakily buried in an unrelated bill (S.B. 795) found NOT withdrawn or removed by amendment on May 5 as previously reported. Sen. Dan Clemens said there would be no further legislative progress on H.B. 1747.
May 2010 Missouri May 14: Missouri’s 2010 legislative session ends with H.B. 1747 still in the Senate Agriculture Committee—meaning that the bill is dead. Pro-horse slaughter provisions from the bill, buried in S.B. 795, are removed by conference committee. Horse slaughter legislation is off the table.
May 2010 Florida May 14: H.B. 765 is signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist. HB 765 prohibits the mutilation or killing of any horse, and forbids the transport, distribution, sale, and purchase of horsemeat for human consumption. Violators face felony mandatory minimum penalties of $3,500 in fines and one year in prison, and maximum penalties of five years in prison and $5,000 in fines for each offense. The new law responds directly to a series of horse poaching incidents in south Florida, where the butchered remains of more than 22 horses were discovered in Miami-Dade and Broward counties last year.

NOTE: This new law however does not apply to the slaughter of horses for human consumption in a licensed slaughterhouse. Neither does it bar the sale of horse meat if it is properly packaged, labeled etc as set forth in the new law. Please see West’s F. S. A. § 500.451 (Summary).
May 2010 Colorado May 28: The Colorado state senate concurred in House amendments to S.B. 139, and Gov. Bill Ritter has signed it into law. The bill would allow taxpayers to check on their tax return that a portion of their tax dollars should go to the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance, a pro-slaughter organization. Signed into law.
May 2010 Kentucky H.C.R. 347 – opposing H.R. 503 /S 727 – introduced by Rep. Johnny Bell, fails to pass this session. Success.
June 2010 Canada – B.C. Jun 16: Member of Parliament (MP) Alex Atamanenko tables [introduces] Bill C-544 which would amend the Canadian Health of Animals Act and the Meat inspection Act to prohibit the importation or exportation of (a) horses for slaughter for human consumption and; (b) horse meat products for human consumption. First ever legislation banning horse slaughter is introduced in Canada.
July 2010 111th Congress 2nd Session Jul 28: The House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passes H.R. 305 by voice vote. Introduced at the start of the 111th Congress. H.R. 305, known as the Horse Transportation Safety Act, would ban the use of double decked trailers for all horse transport. H.R. 305 passes House Committee by voice vote.
July 2010 Canada – EU Jul 31: The European Union (EU), FDA and CFIA mandatory regulations go into effect. Makes it illegal to slaughter horses for human consumption who have ever received prohibited substances producing toxins in horse meat.
August 2010 California Aug 2: Bill SJR 22 is amended in assembly. This measure would memorialize the Congress to support federal legislation to protect American horses from slaughter for human consumption. Adopted in the Senate on Aug 25.
October 2010 Office of Inspector General, USDA OIG releases audit revealing that USDA and APHIS have created substantial risk of injury to the public and caused significant injury, suffering and death to horses from failure to enforce standards for conveyance of horses to slaughter pursuant to 9 C.F.R. 88.3 and 88.4. OIG advises several recommendations but no formal action taken.
December 2010 111th Congress 2nd Session Federal legislation to ban horse slaughter, H.R. 503 / S 727, fail due to lack of promotion. H.R. 503 had 190 co-sponsors; S 727 had 28 co-sponsors. H.R. 503 /S. 727 languish and die in committee from neglect.

Compiled by Jane Allin

THF 2019 Logo. ©The Horse Fund.

See also 2009 Legislative Timeline »

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 2009

State and Federal Legislation
111th U.S. Congress (2009—2010)

DATE VENUE ACTIVITY RESULT
January 2009 111th Congress 1st Session Jan 14: Rep. John Conyers re-introduces his bill from the 110th Congress, this time under familiar horse slaughter bill number, H.R. 503. Called the “Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act,” it aims to end the export of horses for slaughter in Mexico and Canada. Referred to the Judiciary Committee. Expected to move quickly through the House. See Thomas.gov for further information.
January 2009 New York Assemblywoman Deborah Glick re-introduces bill banning horse slaughter for human consumption, A3736. Referred to Agriculture Cmte. A3736 stalled and finally died in the Agricultural Committee, held up there AGAIN by its pro-slaughter Chairman, William MaGee, a “meat-industry” politician. See “Magee too Cozy with New York Farm Bureau“
January 2009 Minnesota Jan 22: SF 133 is introduced urging Congress to oppose federal legislation that interferes with a state’s ability to direct the transport or processing of horses. Referred to Agriculture and Veterans Cmte.
January 2009 Arizona Jan 29: First reading of S.C.M. 1001 urging US Congress to oppose federal legislation that interferes with a state’s ability to direct the transport or processing of horses. Bill advances.
February 2009 North Dakota Feb 06: A legislative committee unanimously approves a state study of a horse slaughter plant in North Dakota due to the “Unwanted Horse” dilemma. Study delays planned legislation to approve opening horse slaughter plant.
February 2009 Utah Feb 12: H.J.R. 7, a nonbinding resolution to allow the transport of horses to Mexico or Canada for slaughter passes the Utah Senate. Vote 19-8 in favor.
February 2009 Tennessee Feb 12: H.B. 1428 a pro-slaughter bill sponsored by Frank Niceley is filed in the Tennessee legislature. New bill at the State level to return horse slaughter to US soil.
February 2009 South Dakota Feb 03/05: S.C.R. 2 resolution opposing H.R. 503 passes full Senate on 02/05 and full House on 05/05 S. Dakota joins other states opposing federal bill H.R. 503.
February 2009 Utah Feb 12: H.J.R. 7 resolution opposing H.R. 503 passes full Senate. Utah joins other states opposing federal bill H.R. 503. Sent to Lieutenant Governor for approval.
February 2009 North Dakota Feb 17: S.C.R. 4021 resolution opposing H.R. 503 passes full Senate and is referred to House Agriculture Committee. Schedules hearing for March 5, 2009. N. Dakota joins other states opposing federal bill H.R. 503.
February 2009 Kansas Feb 17: H.C.R 5004, a Concurrent Resolution by Agriculture and Natural Resources urging Congress to oppose federal legislation interfering with a state’s ability to direct the transport or processing of horses to be adopted. Kansas joins other states opposing federal bill H.R. 503.
February 2009 Illinois Feb 24: The Illinois House agriculture committee approves legislation to overturn H.B. 1711, banning horse slaughter, aimed at the time to shut down the U.S.’s only horse slaughtering plant, Cavel International, in DeKalb. Voted 11-2 in favor. Bill advances.
February 2009 Wyoming Feb 26: H.J.R. opposing H.R. 503 passes full Senate. Signed by Governor on March 03, 2009. Wyoming joins other states opposing federal bill H.R. 503.
March 2009 Wyoming Mar 3: H.J.R. 8 sponsored by Rep. Sue Wallis is signed by the Governor of Wyoming. H.J.R 8 urges Congress to oppose federal legislation that interferes with a state’s ability to direct the transport or processing of horses. Vote 25-5 in favor.
March 2009 Idaho March 9: The Idaho House State Affairs Committee agrees to debate a resolution urging Congress to oppose bill H.R. 503 that would prohibit states’ ability to direct the transport or processing of horses. Idaho joins other states opposing federal bill H.R. 503.
March 2009 Minnesota Mar 11: H.F. 797/S.F. 755 is a bill that if becomes law, would define horses as livestock and raising, breeding, training and boarding horses as agricultural activities. The bills also say horses can be used for their meat, hides and by-products. Referred by Chair to Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veteran Affairs Finance Division.
March 2009 New York Mar 12: A3736/S 3178 prohibiting the slaughter of horses for human consumption is referred by the senate to Consumer Protection. State bill banning horse slaughter introduced in New York.
March 2009 111th Congress 1st Session Mar 16: H.R. 503, Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act is referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Bill advances.
March 2009 Idaho Mar 24: Bill H.J.M 0005, encouraging the president and Congress to remove the prohibition of horse slaughter in order for these animals to be humanely handled is introduced to the Senate and first reading to Agricultural affairs State bill returning horse slaugher to U.S. soil introduced in Idaho.
March 2009 Montana March 19: The Montana State Senate narrowly passes bill HB 418 that would make it easier for a person to start a horse slaughter or processing facility in the state. Vote 27-23 in favor.
March 2009 111th Congress 1st Session March 26: S. 727. Senators Landreiu and Ensign introduce companion bill to H.R. 503 ban horse slaughter in the United States Senate, called the Landrieu-Ensign “Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act”. Companion bill to H.R. 503 introduced.
April 2009 Illinois Apr 01: Illinois House rejects a push to overturn the state’s ban on slaughtering horses for meat (H.B. 1711). Measure was failing 50-67 when the sponsor halted the vote.
April 2009 Arkansas Apr 02; H.C.R. 1004 in support of horse processing facilities passes the House, read twice by Senate, is correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor’s office. State bill returning horse slaugher to U.S. soil passes House and Senate in Arkansas.
April 2009 Illinois Apr 03: H.B. 583, sponsored by Rep. Jim Sacia repealing the 2007 state law banning horse slaughter, is re-referred to the Rules Committee Bill advances.
April 2009 Montana April 03; Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s amendment vetos Bill H.B. 418’s two key provisions for discouraging lawsuits. This measure would give the horse slaughter industry special protections and eliminate citizens’ right to appeal projects over environmental concerns. The sponsor vows to challenge the amendments.
April 2009 North Dakota North Dakota lawmakers have agreed to approve Bill H.B. 1496. $50,000 to be spent on a study of whether a horse slaughterhouse can be built in the state. Vote 86-5 in favor.
April 2009 Montana April 15: The Montana Legislature rejects the governor’s amendments to bill H.B. 418 and returned it to him unchanged. Senate is 44-5 in favor of rejecting the bill. Schweitzer has 10 days to sign or veto the measure. If he does neither, it automatically becomes law. See below.
May 2009 Montana May 01: Bill H.B. 418 to allow investor-owned horse slaughterhouses in Montana, and limit legal action against them, becomes law. Gov. Brian Schweitzer allows it to lapse into law by taking no action Bill becomes law.
May 2009 Missouri May 05: S.C.R 8, sponsored by Wes Shoemyer, is adopted by the House. This bill urges U.S. Congress to support the continuation of horse processing in the United States, offer incentives to help create horse processing plants throughout the country, and oppose any legislation introduced in the new session of Congress that would restrict horse processing. Missouri joins other states opposing federal bill H.R. 503.
May 2009 Tennessee May 05: H.B. 1428/S.B 1898 deferred in Agricultural Committee to May 12, 2009 No advancement.
July 2009 111th Congress 1st Session Jul 17: H.R. 1018, Restore Our American Mustangs Act (ROAM Act) passes in the House. Amends the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to revise provisions concerning their management. Vote 239-185 in favor. See Roll Call for vote results. Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (July 20th).
July 2009 Oregon Ranchers, Native Americans and others push for the renewed slaughter of horses in the U.S. — possibly starting in Oregon. Inconclusive.
October 2009 Montana Ed Butcher, sponsor of H.B. 418 in Montana that promotes construction of a horse slaughter plant, courts Chinese investors after European firms show a lack of interest in the venture. Inconclusive.
November 2009 111th Congress 1st Session Two years after the last U.S. horse slaughter plant ceased operations, the Federal Government moves to review what impact the closures of horse slaughter plants have had on horse welfare. Congress requests the GAO to study the issue and report its findings by March 1, 2010.
December 2009 111th Congress 1st Session 1st Session adjourns. Congress reconvenes in January to start the 2nd Session. Pending legislation carries forward.

Compiled by Jane Allin

THF 2019 Logo. ©The Horse Fund.

Go to 2010 Legislative Timeline »