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Cracks down on horse soring at shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions by requiring science‑based “objective inspections,” mandatory disqualification of sore horses, and stronger, independent oversight of inspectors. It adds new definitions, updates findings to note problems with past enforcement, and directs the Department of Agriculture to stand up and certify a new Horse Industry Organization to run licensing and inspection programs with strict conflict‑of‑interest rules.
The Department of Agriculture must issue regulations within 180 days to implement these changes. The goal is to make inspections more reliable, reduce industry influence over inspectors, and deter abuse through clear disqualifications and stronger enforcement.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced February 27, 2025 by Scott Desjarlais · Last progress February 27, 2025
Amends section 4 of the Horse Protection Act to replace existing subsections with new provisions including an expanded disqualification rule based on objective inspections or notification by a person licensed under a newly created Horse Industry Organization or by the Secretary; adds specified disqualification durations; replaces the appointment/regulatory framework in subsection (c) with establishment of a Horse Industry Organization with a board, specified appointment process, duties (formal affiliations with event management, appointment of inspectors, contracting equine veterinary experts, establishing licensing, and other compliance actions), certification by the Secretary under 9 C.F.R. §11.7(b), revocation of other certifications within 90 days after certification, and an exemption from section 14(a)(2)(B) of 5 U.S.C. App.; also replaces subsections (b), (d), and (e) with new text (as shown).
Amends section 5 of the Horse Protection Act to revise the section heading/introductory language and to replace multiple references to management 'appoint[ing] and retain[ing] a person in accordance with section 4(c)' with a requirement to 'have a formal affiliation with the Horse Industry Organization'; replaces parallel appointment language in several paragraphs and replaces references to notification by 'such person or the Secretary' with 'a person licensed by the Horse Industry Organization'.
Redesignates existing paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively, and inserts a new paragraph (4) after paragraph (3) stating that the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture has determined that the inspection program used by the Secretary to inspect horses is not adequate to ensure compliance with the Act.
Modifies the Definitions section of the Horse Protection Act by replacing the section designation/introductory matter, redesignating existing paragraphs, and adding new defined terms: inserts a new paragraph (1) defining 'Horse Industry Organization' (referring to section 4(c)(1)(A)) and a new paragraph (3) defining 'Objective inspection' with subparts (A)–(C) establishing minimum scientific criteria.