A draft agriculture interference bill, which critics call an “ag-gag” proposal, has been introduced in the Washington State House of Representatives. The state’s annual legislative session was called to order Monday in Olympia. House Bill 1104, sponsored by state Reps. Joe Schmick (R-Colfax) and and J.T. Wilcox (R-Yelm), has
Continue Reading ‘Ag-Gag’ Bill Introduced in the Washington State Legislature

It’s unlikely that the constitutionality of the new “ag-gag” laws of Idaho and Utah will be known until after those states hold legislative sessions in 2015, and maybe even until after another round of lawmaking in 2016. The controversial “ag-gag” statutes, which prevent undercover investigations at animal agriculture facilities, were
Continue Reading More ‘Ag-Gag’ Bills Could be Decided Before Courts Rule on Challenge

The Humane Society of the United States recently ranked Colorado’s animal-protection laws among the top 10 for overall effectiveness. But, this past Friday, the Weld County Prosecutor’s Office determined that timing provisions in those laws are not enough to justify charging an undercover animal-rights investigator with animal cruelty. Prosecutors dismissed
Continue Reading Prosecutor Dismisses Charge of Animal Cruelty Against Undercover Investigator