This bill aims to stop the transport of farm animals that are too sick or weak to safely travel and to make sure the federal government actually checks for violations. It tells the Department of Transportation, working with the Department of Agriculture, to set up inspections and other ways to enforce animal transport rules within 180 days of becoming law.

It also bans moving “unfit to travel” livestock across state lines, with an exception if the animals are being taken to a veterinarian. Animals considered unfit include those that are sick, injured, weak, cannot stand on their own, are blind in both eyes, would suffer more by being moved, are newborns with unhealed navels, are late in pregnancy near their due date, have given birth in the last 48 hours and are traveling without their young, or are in poor condition for the expected weather.

• Who is affected: Rail, express, and other carriers; vessel owners; farmers and shippers moving livestock across state lines.
• What changes: New federal inspections and enforcement; a clear ban on transporting unfit livestock across state lines, except for trips to get veterinary care.
• When: The enforcement plan must be created within 180 days after the bill becomes law; the transport ban would take effect as the law is amended.