Sponsors (27)
Prohibits air transport of adult roosters except for shipments linked to qualifying commercial farms that provide documentation.
The bill improves passenger safety and poultry biosecurity by restricting non-essential air shipments of adult roosters and giving regulators clear authority, but it limits market access for small shippers and farms and raises compliance and enforcement costs that may be passed to carriers and consumers.
Airline passengers, crew, and nearby communities will face fewer in-flight disturbances and reduced biosecurity risks because the bill restricts non-essential air shipments of adult roosters.
Air cargo operations and carriers will see improved efficiency and reduced handling burdens as problematic live-animal shipments are limited.
Commercial egg and meat producers that meet the statute's certification/threshold can continue necessary agricultural transport, helping preserve legitimate supply chains.
Small shippers, hobbyists, breeders, and small farms (under the $350,000 threshold) will lose air-shipping options or face restricted market access, harming niche and small-scale agricultural businesses.
Air carriers, regulators, and ultimately consumers may face higher costs from added screening, paperwork, enforcement, and potential civil penalties, with some costs passed through as higher fees or taxes.
Ambiguous terms (e.g., 'non-essential') and the $350,000 exemption cutoff could produce compliance uncertainty, inconsistent enforcement across jurisdictions, and incentives to restructure operations or misreport income.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
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 on interstate and foreign flights except when originating from or destined for large commercial farms and used for legitimate agricultural purposes; carriers must obtain documentation showing the shipment qualifies for the commercial-farm exemption. The Department of Transportation and FAA will enforce the rule, issue implementing regulations, and civil penalties under existing air-transport law apply. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.