State & Local Legislation
STATE LEGISLATION
Updated February 2008
State Legislatures Addressing Unwanted Horse/Horse Processing
States are currently dealing with the unwanted horse issue in different ways, most of the legislative action pertains to the processing of horses issue. Since the plants in the United States closed in 2007, states have struggled with how to handle unwanted horses and if the fact that these plants have closed have contributed to the uptick in abuse and neglect. Processing horses for human consumption is still legal in all states except California, Illinois, and Texas, which passed state laws banning it. Though it is still technically legal in most states, it is practically unfeasible. This is because for the past several years, Congress has put a rider on appropriations measures that prohibit the use of funds or user fees for inspection of horse meat meant for human consumption. With no USDA inspection, no horse meat can be sold over state lines, unless it is for the zoo meat market.
In Colorado, a bill has been introduced (SB 139) that would provide for a check off on Colorado State Income Tax to provide for an unwanted horse fund that would support the work of the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance.
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South Dakota Resolution
The South Dakota Legislature has passed a resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to reinstate horse processing. They are also calling on the USDA to reinstate and fully fund the horse meat inspection program, while also urging Congress to defeat the current Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, including H.R. 503 and S. 727 and related legislation.
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KY HB 398
In Kentucky, the legislation (HB 398) passed is not related to processing but disposition of unwanted horses in that state. A bill to form the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council and create regional centers to care for unwanted horses has passed both houses and has been sent to Governor Bashear for consideration. Another bill has been sent to the Governor that would shorten the statutory wait time for adopting horses that have been confiscated by law enforcement authorities. This bill would reduce the waiting time from one year to three months.
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WY HB 122
In Wyoming, a bill (HB 122) to circumvent the funding problems with USDA inspection of horse meat has passed and has been signed into law by Governor Dave Freudenthal . This law authorizes the slaughter of unclaimed horses by state inspected facilities. It provides the Wyoming Livestock Board with three options to deal with abandoned, stray, feral or abused animals which enter into their jurisdiction. The Board may take the animal to public sale (this was the only option previous to this law) or send the animal to slaughter or euthanize the animal. Horses slaughtered in Wyoming would have to be inspected by state inspectors and may be used for human consumption only in Wyoming, but the horsemeat could be exported to other states to feed zoo animals. The United Organizations of the Horse helped shape the legislation and also aims to develop a model for the humane processing of horses that will make the practice more widely acceptable to the public.
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MO HB 1747
The Missouri house has passed a bill (HB 1747) that also addresses federal funding restrictions for USDA inspectors to work in horse processing facilities. This bill would impose fees on the processors in order to pay inspectors.
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TN HB 1428
In Tennessee, a legislative subcommittee just approved a bill (HB 1428) that would allow the state to establish horse slaughter and processing plants. The bill directs the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to establish licensing, inspection, operational regulations, and fees for horse processing plants in the state. The bill also provides protections for those who might open a plant in Tennessee; these protections are similar to those included in a bill passed in Montana in 2009.
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Idaho House and Senate Memorial
The Idaho House joined with the Senate in that state to pass a Memorial that states in part. "Congress is urged to oppose federal legislation that interferes with a state's ability to direct the transport and processing of horses and is encouraged to discontinue language in the yearly appropriation bills which has effectively ended processing of horses in the United States..."
FL SB 1708 & HB 765
On the flip side of the issue, Florida has two bills (SB 1708 & HB 765) in their state legislature that would make it a felony to slaughter horses and sell their meat for human consumption. This follows a rash of horse thefts which resulted in the slaughter of the horses and sale of the meat on the black market in Florida.
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