congress – Fund for Horses

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 2012

DATE	VENUE	ACTIVITY	RESULT
January 23, 2012	US SUPREME COURT	Decision handed down on government oversight regarding horse slaughter. States may enact laws banning the slaughter of horses but cannot govern how animals are processed and handled at federally-regulated slaughterhouses.	If the processing of horse meat for human consumption is to be resumed in any State where it is still legal under State law, FMIA (Federal Meat Inspection Act) regulations (and not any regulations that the States may attempt to promulgate) will govern how horses are handled and processed in those States. See article by Alison Rowe, specialist in Equine Law.
March 3, 2012	Oregon	Following the enactment the new fiscal year’s Department of Agriculture Appropriations bill – that included the successful removal of historic language banning horse meat inspections necessary for its export for human consumption – the United Horsemen’s group makes plans to open horse slaughter facility in Hermiston, Oregon.	Community of Hermiston takes aggressive stand against the proposition.
May 24, 2012	New Jersey State Assembly	A-2023 passes the NJ State Assembly by a vote of 72-3. The Bill was originally sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R-12).	The Bill which prohibits the in-state slaughter of horses, transportation of horses to slaughter and the sale of horse meat for human consumption in New Jersey, moves forward.
June 15, 2012	US Congress — Appropriations Committee	The Moran Amendment to the 2013 Agricultural Appropriations Bill — introduced by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va) earlier this month to block funding to the USDA for horse slaughter facility inspections — survives the passing of the full Appropriations Committee intact.	Moves to the US House and Senate for a vote.
June 19, 2012	US House, US Senate	The Moran Amendment to the 2013 Agricultural Appropriations Bill passes the US House and Senate. The Amendment blocks federal funding for USDA inspections necessary to slaughter horses and export their meat. Moran’s amendment reinstates the five-year ban on horse slaughter on US soil from 2006-2011.	Sent to the President for signing into law.
June 25, 2012	New Jersey State Legislature	Senate bill S 1976, sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak (D-20), was substituted by A2023, the identical bill that already passed State Assembly (See May 24, 2012). The Bill passed the NJ State Senate 35-4.	The Bill which prohibits the in-state slaughter of horses, transportation of horses to slaughter and the sale of horse meat for human consumption in the State of New Jersey, moves on to its final stop at Gov. Christie’s desk for signing into law.
July 10, 2012	Texas State Legislature	– The Texas State Senate Committee on Agricultural and Rural Affairs met to hear testimony on the economic impact of the closure of Texas horse slaughter plants. Some believe that a repeal of Chapter 149 could be on the table next legislative session.	Unless Chapter 149 is repealed or revised, horse slaughter remains illegal in Texas — though it can ostensibly be carried out in other US jurisdictions barring the passage of any federal law that directly or indirectly prohibits it.
August 2012	New Mexico, Missouri, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming	Since last year, new horse slaughterhouses have been proposed in New Mexico, Missouri and Oregon, and laws that would permit them to be built more easily have been proposed in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.	Potential return of horse slaughter on US soil
September 21, 2012	New Jersey Governor’s Office	Governor Chris Christie signs anti horse slaughter bill A-2023 into law. The bill passed the State Assembly and Senate in May and June respectively.	Success. The in-state slaughter of horses, transportation of horses to slaughter and the sale of horse meat for human consumption in the State of New Jersey.
December 2012	USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)	Nature Valley Meats in New Mexico sues USDA over a lack of action on a request for inspections that would clear the way for the company to resume domestic horse slaughterhouse operations. Rick de los Santos, owner of Valley Meat Co. in Roswell, NM also files a defamation lawsuit against the Humane Society of the United States, Front Range Equine Rescue, and Animal Protection of New Mexico.	Pending.
December 2012	US Senate	American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011 (S. 1176)	Ends with 26 Co-Sponsors. Originally introduced 6/9/2011. Referred to Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. No other activity. Dies in Committee.
December 2012	US House	American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011 (HR 2966)	Ends 165 Co-Sponsors. Originally introduced 9/19/2011. Referred to Agriculture Committee. Referred to Energy and Commerce Committee, who subsequently referred it to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry 10/4/2011. No other activity. Dies in Committee.

Contributors: Jane Allin, Vivian Farrell

©The Horse Fund 2019 Logo in Orange.

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 2011

DATE	VENUE	ACTIVITY	RESULT
January 2011	Legislative Assembly of N. Dakota	Jan 10: HB 1244, a bill allowing horses to be slaughtered for food with other animals and amending rules governing preparation of equine carcasses, introduced by Rep. M. Nelson. Referred to Ag Cmte. Jan 27: Passed Ag Cmte (12-0-2), placed on Calendar Jan 31: Passed House (90 Ayes, 0 Nays)	N. Dakota pro horse slaughter bill introduced, passes House and sent to Senate for action.
January 2011	Nebraska Unicameral Legislature	Jan 12: LB 305, a bill to establish state meat inspection program for horses (and other animals), introduced by Tyson Larson Jan 14: Referred to Ag Cmte Jan 24: Notice of Hearing for Feb 8th	Nebraska pro horse slaughter Bill introduced. Set for Hearing Feb. 8th.
January 2011	187th General Court of Massachusetts	Jan. 18: Bill S00655 banning the slaughter, procurement and transport of horses for human consumption introduced by State Sen. Stephen Brewer. Jan. 24: Referred to Joint Committee on the Judiciary; House concurs.	Massachusetts anti horse slaughter Bill introduced.
January 2011	New York State General Assembly	Jan. 25: A03504, a bill banning horse slaughter and transport for slaughter for human consumption introduced by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick. Referred to Ag Cmte.	New York State anti horse slaughter Bill re-introduced. A. Glick introduced this in 2004 and 2009. In each instance the bills were stalled and killed in Cmte by its Chairman MaGee, a “meat industry” politician.
February 2011	Legislative Assembly of N. Dakota	Feb 1: Senate receives HB 1244 (see Jan 10, 27 and 31 entries for details). Feb 21: 1st reading; referred to Ag Cmte. Cmte Hearing set for March 3rd.	N. Dakota pro horse slaughter Bill progresses to Senate; Ag Cmte Hrng set Mar. 3rd.
February 2011	Nebraska Unicameral Legislatue	Feb 8: LB 305, Statement of Intent entered, “This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to develop and implement a state meat and poultry inspection agency to inspect meat and meat products for human consumption in compliance with federal regulations by January 1, 2013.” Feb 23: LB 305 Placed on General File.	Nebraska pro horse slaughter Bill progresses.
May 2011	U.S. House of Representatives	May 30: The 2012 Agriculture Budget Bill is debated in the House Appropriations Committee, from which the measure defunding USDA inspections necessary to market horse meat was ripped out, paving the way for the return of horse slaughter to U.S. soil.	See below.
May 2011	U.S. House of Representatives	May 30: Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) offers an amendment to continue denying funding for the USDA inspections required to market horse meat.	The 2012 Agriculture Budget Bill is voted on in the House Appropriations Committee, passing by a margin of 24-21, with the Moran Amendment intact. The bill is sent to the full House for consideration.
June 2011	U.S. Senate	Jun 9, 2011: A bill entitled the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011 — S. 1176 — is introduced (pdf) in the United States Senate, Thursday, June 9, 2011, by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) with 14 originating co-sponsors. S. 1176 amends the Horse Protection Act, making it illegal to transport horses for the purposes of slaughter, among other provisions.	S. 1176 is referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
September 2011	U.S. Senate	Sep. 9, 2011: The Senate Appropriations Committee approve a version of the U.S. Agriculture Appropriations Bill that no longer contains the ban on funding for horse meat inspections. Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri and two colleagues with close ties to the beef industry, namely Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia and Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, in a secretive back door manouver altered the 2012 omnibus spending bill so it no longer banned funding for horse meat inspections.	If signed into law, this opens the possibility for return of horse slaughter to U.S. soil.
September 2011	US House of Representatives	Sept 19: HR 2966 — The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011 — introduced by Rep. Dan Burton [R-IN-5]. Assigned to the Energy & Commerce and Agriculture Committees. Last Action: 10/04/2011 Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.	Died in Committee. It had 165 Co-Sponsors.
November 2011	U.S. Congress	Nov. 17, 2011: The Agriculture Appropriations Bill for 2012 [October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012] was passed by Congress and signed into law without the wording that prohibited horse meat inspections since 2006.	This potentially flings the door wide open for the return of horse slaughter to U.S. soil. horse slaughter. [1] [2]

— Go to 2012 Legislative Timeline »

FOOTNOTES

USDA stated that, although the limitation on FSIS inspection had been lifted, there were still significant regulatory obstacles to resurrecting horse slaughter in the United States. For example, any processing facility has to obtain a federal grant of inspection, conduct a hazard analysis, and develop a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan prior to the processing of any horses for human consumption. A facility in New Mexico—Valley Meats, Inc.—was granted a permit by USDA on June 28, 2013, to begin horse slaughter. USDA has stated that it would grant similar operating permits to plants in Iowa and Missouri in early July 2013. The New Mexico plant had sued USDA in February 2013, accusing it of intentionally delaying the approval process. Both the House (H.R. 2410) and Senate (S. 1244) 2014 Agriculture appropriations bills would again prohibit FSIS from inspecting horses under the Federal Meat Inspection Act. The Administration and USDA have also requested that the ban on horse slaughter continue. As discussed above, the provision had been included in Agriculture appropriations bills since 2008.

There has been a lot of talk in the past week about Congress’ lifting of the ban prohibiting federal funding for the inspection of horses, which prevented the slaughter of horses for human consumption for the past five years. The issue is understandably a sensitive and emotional one for everyone who loves these majestic animals, but it is important that the discussion be tempered with the facts.

While Congress has technically lifted the ban, horse processing will not resume anytime in the near term. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, horses are an amenable species, which means that horse meat cannot be shipped or sold for human consumption without inspection.

To date, there have been no requests that the Department initiate the authorization process for any horse processing operation in the United States. In the two states where horse processing took place prior to the Congressional ban, Illinois and Texas, there are laws in place prohibiting the slaughter of horses. Even if these laws were changed, any processing facility will still need to satisfy a significant number of requirements, such as obtaining a federal grant of inspection, conducting a hazard analysis, and developing a Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan prior to the processing of any animals.

—————
Contributors: Jane Allin, Vivian Farrell

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 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

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 2009

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

Go to 2010 Legislative Timeline »

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