Two Ag-Gag Bills Die, Two Still Pending

This year, four states — Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, and New York — have introduced Ag-Gag bills meant to shut down undercover investigations exposing the abuses behind the closed doors of animal agribusiness. While these bills have slightly different language, each one, if passed, would criminalize the act of taking of a photograph or videotaping farmed animal facilities without explicit permission from the owner.

These Ag-Gag bills are not only an attempt by animal agribusiness to hide the cruel and inhumane conditions on factory farms and inside slaughterhouses, but they also infringe on the freedoms of animal advocates and the press.  Here is the current status of each bill:

• Florida (CS/SB 1246): died in the legislature for this session; however, the sponsor
  of the bill stated he plans to reintroduce it next year.

• Iowa (HF 589/ SJ 1074): after its introduction, it’s been amended multiple times and is still pending for this
  legislative session. TAKE ACTION: If you live in Iowa, please call or write
  your state representatives urging them to oppose this bill.

• Minnesota (HF 1369): legislative ended for 2011 before this bill was debated; however, it may be reintroduced next year.

• New York (S 5172): introduced on May 3 and is still pending. TAKE ACTION:If you live in New York, please call or write your state representatives urging them to oppose this bill.