RESOURCES
HORSE SLAUGHTER LEGISLATIVE TIMELINE
2015
Timeline includes State and Federal Legislation and Related Actions
114th U.S. Congress (2015 — 2016)
| January 28, 2015 | Maryland General Assemby, 435th Session | Introduction of House Bill HB 151 which prohibits a person from buying, selling, transporting, or offering or receiving for sale or transportation (1) any equine carcass or the meat of any equine if the person knows or reasonably should know that the carcass or meat will be used for human consumption or (2) any equine if the person knows or reasonably should know that the equine is intended for slaughter for human consumption. Referred to Environment and Transportration Committee. | Pending (see March 2, 2015). |
| February 11, 2015 | New Mexico State Legislature | Introduction of House Bill HB 410 entitled "NO SLAUGHTER OR TRANSFER OF HORSES FOR FOOD" banning the slaughter or transfer of horses for slaughter for human consumption. Sponsored by Rep. Gail Chasey, D-Albuquerque. If successful, would close the New Mexico/Mexico border to horses intended for slaughter. Referred to House Committee on Agriculture, Water and Wildlife. | Pending (see March 2, 2015). |
| March 2, 2015 | Maryland General Assemby, 435th Session | MD anti horse slaughter bill HB 151 debated in Committee. | Reportedly received an Unfavorable Report by Environment and Transportation. Bill likely to die in Committee. |
| March 2, 2015 | New Mexico State Legislature | NM anti horse slaughter bill HB 410 tabled by House Committee on Agriculture, Water and Wildlife. | Dies in Committee. New Mexico continues to export thousands of horses to Mexico for slaughter every year. So far this year the USDA reports the United States has sent more than 12,000 horses across its southern border for slaughter. |
| April 22, 2015 | U.S. House of Representatives | H.R. 1942, entitled "A bill to prevent human health threats posed by the consumption of equines raised in
the United States", also called the SAFE Act, is introduced April 22, 2015. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Frank C. Guinta (R-NH-1) and has 41 originating
co-sponsors (view here). The bill bas been "two committeed": The Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Agriculture. Track this bill at www.govtrack.us. |
If successful, H.R. 1942 will prevent the re-establishment of horse slaughter on U.S. soil, bar the live export of horses for the purposes of slaughter, and protect the public from the consumption of toxic horse meat. |
| May 6, 2015 | U.S. Senate | S. 1214, entitled "A bill to prevent human health threats posed by the consumption of equines raised in
the United States", also called the SAFE Act, was introduced May 6, 2015. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Robert (Bob) Menendez (D-NJ)
and has 8 originating co-sponsors (view here). The bill has been referred to a single Committee: The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Track this bill at www.govtrack.us. |
If successful, S. 1214 will prevent the re-establishment of horse slaughter on U.S. soil, bar the live export of horses for the purposes of slaughter, and protect the public from the consumption of toxic horse meat. |
| May 15, 2015 | U.S. House of Representatives | H.R. 1942 called the SAFE Act was referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture
by the Committee on Agriculture. The bill now has a total of 91 co-sponsors. Track this bill at www.govtrack.us. |
Subcommittee will consider the bill and will refer it back to the House Committee on Agriculture with its findings. |
| May 16, 2015 | U.S. Senate | S. 1214, referred to as the John Rainey Memorial Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act,
now has 11 co-sponsors (view here). Track this bill at www.govtrack.us. |
At least one "hold" has been put on this bill, reportedly by Sen. Mitch McConnell. He would neither admit nor deny. Legislation not enacted by the end of a Congress is cleared from the books. Bill dies. |
| December 18, 2015 | U.S. House of Representatives | HR-2029 U.S. Omnibus Bill – denies funding for the USDA to conduct inspections of horse meat intended for export, which prevents the return of horse slaughter to U.S. soil,
for fiscal year 2016 (October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016). 12/18/2015 – Senate agrees to House Amendments by Yea-Nay Vote: 65-33. Presented to and signed by President 18/12/2015. |
Became Public Law No. 114-113 effectively preventing the return of horse slaughter until Sept. 30, 2016. See Congress.gov. |
Contributors: Jane Allin, Vivian Farrell
Tweet