Sponsors (24)
The bill aims to improve passenger safety and poultry biosecurity by restricting non-essential air shipments of adult roosters and creating clear federal enforcement and exemption criteria, but it limits market access for small shippers and farms and imposes paperwork, compliance costs, and potential state-level complexity.
Airline passengers, crew, and rural communities face fewer in-flight disturbances and reduced biosecurity risk because the bill restricts non-essential air shipments of adult roosters.
Federal regulators, air carriers, and farmers benefit from clearer regulatory authority and an enforceable exemption process because the bill gives DOT/FAA rulemaking/enforcement power and requires documentation for agricultural exemptions.
Commercial farms meeting the $350,000 threshold and their supply chains can continue necessary air transport, preserving legitimate agricultural commerce when USDA-consistent documentation is provided.
Small shippers, hobbyists, breeders, and small farms (under $350,000) lose or face higher-cost air shipping options because non-essential rooster shipments are restricted and the exemption is limited by an income threshold.
Air carriers, regulated companies, and taxpayers could face higher costs because the bill creates new verification duties, civil penalties for violations, and expanded enforcement that raise administrative and operational burdens.
Small businesses, carriers, and regulators may face legal uncertainty and perverse incentives because vague terms like 'non-essential' and the $350,000 cutoff could spur disputes, misreporting, or uneven enforcement.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Bars interstate and foreign air transport of adult roosters except shipments to/from qualifying commercial farms 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 commerce except when shipment originates from or is destined for a large commercial farm and is for legitimate agricultural purposes; carriers must obtain documentation verifying the commercial-farm exemption. Directs the Secretary of Transportation and FAA to enforce the rule, authorizes implementing regulations, subjects violations to civil penalties, and takes effect 180 days after enactment. The law preserves state authority to adopt stricter rules.