Sponsors (33)
The bill aims to reduce in‑flight disturbances and biosecurity risks by restricting air transport of adult roosters while preserving large commercial agriculture through exemptions, but it burdens small shippers and carriers with compliance costs, raises enforcement and legal‑uncertainty concerns, and may create state‑by‑state complexity.
Airline passengers, crew, and poultry producers face fewer in‑flight disturbances and lower biosecurity risk because adult roosters would be banned from air cargo except for certified agricultural shipments.
Air cargo operations and carriers could see improved efficiency and reduced handling burdens by limiting problematic live‑animal shipments and creating clearer rules about acceptable shipments.
Legitimate commercial farms and large producers can continue air transport under an exemption (with documentation), helping preserve commercial egg and meat supply chains.
Small farms, hobbyists, breeders, and small shippers could lose air shipping options or face higher costs because non‑essential shipments of adult roosters would be restricted and exemptions are limited.
Air carriers and regulators will face additional verification, screening, and enforcement burdens that raise compliance costs; those costs are likely to be passed on to consumers through higher shipping fees or fares.
Ambiguous terms (e.g., what counts as 'non‑essential') and the $350,000 exemption cutoff could create compliance uncertainty, legal disputes, and incentives to restructure or misreport income to qualify.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits interstate/foreign air transport of adult roosters except shipments to/from commercial farms ($350K+ income) with required documentation.
Official title: To restrict the air transportation of certain live animals in interstate and foreign commerce to enhance aviation safety, biosecurity, and operational efficiency in civil aviation, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 4, 2026 by Troy E. Nehls · Last progress February 4, 2026
Prohibits knowingly transporting adult roosters by air in interstate or foreign service except when the shipment is for legitimate agricultural purposes from or to a large commercial farm. Carriers must require documentation proving the commercial-farm exemption and the Secretary of Transportation (working with the FAA) will enforce the rule and write implementing regulations. The law defines “adult rooster,” sets a commercial-farm threshold based on USDA ERS classification ($350,000+ annual gross cash farm income), makes violations subject to civil penalties under existing aviation penalty rules, preserves state authority to adopt stricter rules, and becomes effective 180 days after enactment.