Horse protection act

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CONCERNING HORSES

THE HORSE PROTECTION ACT

April 8: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is further postponing the effective date of the Horse Protection Act final rule, other than the training section, to February 1, 2026.  

APHIS is requesting public comments on whether the Agency should further extend the length of this postponement and is also soliciting additional information to help inform a decision on the appropriate length of the postponement.  The docket is currently on public inspection and will be available for comment at the following address beginning on March 21:  
https://www.regulations.gov/docket/APHIS-2022-0004. 

The comment period will close on May 20, 2025.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/program-update/aphis-further-postpones-effective-date-horse-protection-act-final-rule

APHIS Stakeholder letter re 2025 show season: 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/program-update/aphis-shares-update-2025-horse-show-season

RE HORSE SLAUGHTER

April 13:   S.775 –( NO UPDATE)  A bill to amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to prohibit the slaughter of equines for human consumption.  This bill was introduced to the Senate by Lindsay Graham, read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/775

March 28:   H.R.1661 - To amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to prohibit the slaughter of equines for human consumption.  This bill was introduced to the House by Vern Buchanan and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.  On 3/28, referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.  Action By: Committee on Agriculture
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1661

CONCERNING PENDING BILLS IN THE MT LEGISLATURE

The following Agriculture, Livestock, Taxation bills have been introduced; status as of March 10, below.

· HB6: Renewable Resource Grants – Sponsored by John Fitzpatrick, (H) Returned from Enrolling; 4/22/25.

· HB 20: Require voted levies to be in dollars rather than mills– Sponsored by Jaret Coles, (S) (H) Signed by Governor 4/07/25.

· HB27:  Remove Automatic Agricultural Classification for Certain Parcels – Sponsored by Sherry Essmann, (H) 2nd Reading Not Passed as Amended 40-60 3/20/25.

· HB80:  Provide Cash Lease-only Bidding for Agriculture Leases – Sponsored by Randyn Gregg,  (H) Signed by Governor, 3/27/25.

· HB108: Eliminate Reference to Personal Property Farm Manual for Property Tax Purposes– Sponsored by Eric Tilleman,
(H) Signed by Governor 4/07/25.

· HB 119:  Establish the Montana Cattle Committee –Sponsored by Brandon Ler, (S) Tabled in Committee - Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation 7-4, 4/01/25.

· HB 171:  Eliminate Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee – Sponsored by Eric Tilleman, (H) Returned from Enrolling; 4/14/25.

· HB 212:  Limit Liability of Agricultural Vehicles – Sponsored by Ed Byrne, (S) Tabled in Committee - Highways and Transportation, 8-0, 3/26/25.

· HB269: Eliminate the Organic Commodity Advisory Council – Sponsored by Eric Tilleman, (H) Transmitted to Governor; 4/22/25.

· HB 356: Allow livestock loss reimbursement for black bear predation – Sponsored by Eric Tilleman; (H) Sent to Enrolling; 4/18/25.

· HB390:  Provide for Montana right to repair agricultural equipment act – Sponsored by Paul Tuss, (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal, 3/12/25.

· HB 401: Prohibit the sale of lab-grown meat in the state of Montana – Sponsored by Braxton Mitchell; (H) Returned from Enrolling; 4/15/25.  

· SB4:  Revise Taxation of Homesite on Certain Agricultural Property – Sponsored by Becky Beard, (S) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal; 4/07/25.

· SB78:  Revise Laws Related to Marking Hides and Meat– Sponsored by Josh Kassmier,
(S) Signed by Governor 4/17/25.

· SB79:  Repeal Laws Related to Inspection of Animals in Feedlots – Sponsored by Josh Kassmier, (S) Signed by Governor 4/17/25.

· SB 80: Allow for digital copies of required documentation for transport of livestock – Sponsored by Josh Kassmier;
(S) Signed by Governor 4/17/25.

· SB96:  Establish Working Animal Protection Act – Sponsored by John Fuller, Introduced 1/06/25. (This bill adds a new section stating, “The right to utilize a working animal for the benefit and welfare of the working animal or the individual the working animal serves is guaranteed.”); ((H) Tabled in Committee – Local Government, 17-0, 3/20/25.

· SB99:  Revise Unrelated Business Taxable Income to Include Certain Rental and Accommodations Income – Sponsored by Becky Beard, (H) Tabled in Committee (H) Taxation, 2/18/25 (no update from last report).

· SB 101: Revise laws related to squatting – Sponsored by Becky Beard;
(S) Signed by Governor 4/17/25.

· SB155: Create Food Safety Panel – Sponsored by Daniel Emrich, (S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal, 3/20/25.

· SB161: Provide for Regulation and Sale of Aquaculture – Sponsored by Greg Hertz, (S) Transmitted to Governor, 4/22/25.

CONCERNING AGRICULTURE

April 8:  U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with President Trump’s U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, in a Senate Finance Committee hearing. They discussed the goals of President Trump’s trade agenda, and Daines highlighted the need to expand market access for farmers & ranchers and to make sure American producers have expanded market access around the globe. 
https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/04/08/daines-ustr-greer-discuss-expanding-market-access-for-farmers-and-ranchers/

February 28: H.R.774 - PASTURES Act (aka “Protecting Agricultural Spaces Through Effective Ranching Strategies Act”).  To limit the ability of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to penalize an owner of livestock for grazing by such livestock on certain Federal lands on which grazing is permitted on or after the date of enactment of this Act and subsequently prohibited, and for other purposes. Ms. Hageman introduced the bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and to the Committee on Agriculture; Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.  Action By: Committee on Agriculture, 2/28/25.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/774

PRIVATE PROPERTY/WATER RIGHTS

January 24:  H.R.726 - Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025.  Introduced by Troy Downing, this bill amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to make improvements to that Act, and for other purposes.  Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources (no update from last report).
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/726

January 23:  H.R.716 - Fill the Lake Act.  Introduced by Ryan Zinke, this bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to ensure full pool levels of Flathead Lake in Montana in accordance with certain requirements, and for other purposes.  Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources (no update from last report).
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/716

MISCELLANEOUS

January 23:  H.R. 718 Public Lands in Public Hands Act.  Introduced by Ryan Zinke, this bill prohibits the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from transferring certain Federal land, and for other purposes.  Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.  Action By: Committee on Agriculture, 2/28/25.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/718

FROM SENATOR STEVE DAINES OFFICE

April 9:  S362 Bill to keep Bull Mountain Mine open is one step closer to becoming law.  U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that his bill to keep Montana’s Bull Mountains Mine open passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.  Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably; 4/09/2025.
https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/04/09/daines-bill-to-keep-montanas-bull-mountains-mine-open-one-step-closer-to-becoming-law/

April 1:  U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) as well as Congressmen Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Troy Downing (MT-02) today sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging a two-year compliance exemption from energy policies to support the continued operation at Montana’s Colstrip Power Plant. If the policies are not reversed, they will lead to increased compliance costs, which will be passed down to the consumer in the form of higher rates or even closure of the plant, which would lead to blackouts across Montana.
https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/04/01/daines-sheehy-zinke-downing-encourage-trump-administration-to-reverse-biden-anti-energy-policies-and-support-montana-energy/

FROM GOVERNOR GIANFORTE’S OFFICE

April 15:  EPA Grants 2-years of Relief from an Environmental Rule
With the April 14 announcement from the EPA, Colstrip and other coal plants are no longer required to comply with the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule for two years.  Colstrip is one of nearly 50 plants identified by the EPA that qualify for the two-year exemption.
https://news.mt.gov/Governors-Office/Governor_Gianforte_Recognizes_President_TrumpsSupport_for_Colstrip

April 10:  Gov. Gianforte Defends Tax Relief Priority
During a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Greg Gianforte defended his tax relief proposals to lower income taxes for Montanans at every income level and lower property taxes for Montana homeowners  “– meaningfully and permanently.”
https://news.mt.gov/Governors-Office/Governor-Gianforte-Defends-Tax-Relief-Priorities

OTHER

April 4:  According to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division, the deadline to get Real ID-compliant license is May 7, 2025.  You are not required to get a Montana REAL ID compliant license or ID; however, a Montana REAL ID compliant license or ID or another acceptable form of identification is required to fly domestically and access federal facilities by May 7, 2025. Alternative options, such as a passport or passport card, are acceptable forms of identification.
https://newstalkkgvo.com/ixp/15/p/big-changes-mvd-montana/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral