Bill · H.R. 5286· House(119-HR-5286)
Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act
- Introduced
- 9/10/2025
- Last activity
- 1/13/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
- Sponsored by
- Dina Titus
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act'' aims to amend title 49 of the United States Code regarding the transport of animals. It directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to create an enforcement mechanism. This mechanism includes conducting investigations or inspections of vehicles, vessels, and associated records. The bill also amends the Animal Health Protection Act to prohibit the movement of livestock that are considered "unfit to travel" in interstate commerce. It provides specific criteria for what constitutes being unfit to travel. Additionally, it allows for exceptions when the movement is for the purpose of providing veterinary care.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The bill expands the authority of the Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Agriculture to conduct inspections and promulgate regulations.
Would farmers be better off under this?+2
The bill establishes higher welfare standards for livestock which can improve the health and value of livestock assets.
Does this invest in rural communities?+1
The bill implements animal welfare protections that directly affect the agricultural economy in rural areas.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-2
The bill imposes new regulatory requirements and inspection powers on those transporting livestock.
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
The bill adds compliance and regulatory oversight costs for livestock owners and carriers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Establishment of an Enforcement Mechanism: The Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Agriculture will develop a way to conduct investigations or inspections of vehicles, vessels, and records to determine if violations have occurred (Section 2). This provides a way to oversee rail carriers, express carriers, common carriers, and other involved parties.
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Protection of Livestock Welfare: The bill prohibits moving livestock that are "unfit to travel" in interstate commerce (Section 3). This includes protections for animals that are sick, injured, weak, disabled, fatigued, unable to stand unaided, blind in both eyes, or cannot be moved without additional suffering (Section 3).
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Protection for Newborns and Pregnant Animals: The law includes specific protections for livestock that are newborns with unhealed navels, those in the final 10 percent of their gestation period, or those that have given birth within the previous 48 hours and are traveling without offspring (Section 3).
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Climate-Based Welfare: The bill includes a provision to prevent moving livestock with a body condition that would result in poor welfare due to expected climatic conditions (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Regulatory Oversight: The Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Agriculture are authorized to promulgate rules, regulations, orders, or guidance to carry out the new enforcement mechanism (Section 2).
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New Restrictions on Movement: The bill establishes that no person shall move livestock that are deemed "unfit to travel" in interstate commerce, which may impact how livestock are moved (Section 3).
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Inspection of Records and Property: The new enforcement mechanism allows for the inspection of any vehicle or vessel transporting animals, as well as any written or electronic records associated with such transport (Section 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support-2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+2Good For Business Owners-2
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/13/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
- 12/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/10/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Gilbert CisnerosDemocrat · California
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Kimberlyn King-HindsRepublican · Northern Mariana Islands
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Scott PetersDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan